This book presents in-depth coverage of laboratory experiments, theories, modeling techniques, and practices for the analysis and design of rock slopes in complex geological settings. It addresses new concepts in connection with the kinematical element method, discontinuity kinematical element method, integrated karst cave stochastic model-limit equilibrium method, improved strength reduction method, and fracture mechanics method, taking into account the relevant geological features. The book is chiefly intended as a reference guide for geotechnical engineering and engineering geology professionals, and as a textbook for related graduate courses.

Ke Zhang is an Associate Professor/Ph.D. Supervisor at the Faculty of Electric Power Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology. His main research fields are rock fracture mechanics, slope stability, and advanced numerical methods in engineering. He graduated from Central South University in 2015, and in 2016 he was selected for the "Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Award" by the Chinese Society for Rock Mechanics and Engineering, and took part in the Society's "Young Elite Scientist Sponsorship Program." In 2017, he was part of Yunnan Province's "Thousand Talent Program for Young Outstanding Scientists."