A review on the application of photogrammetry and digital discontinuity mapping for rock mass characterization and slopestability analysis

Discontinuities and joint sets in the rock mass of varying sizes can cause rock instability and rupture. Toprevent potential damage, it is crucial to have a correct understanding of rock blocks and how fractures aredistributed. In recent years, close-range photogrammetry techniques, such as Structure from Motion, arebecoming increasingly popular for conducting geological surveys and extracting rock mass joint sets. Thismethod is more accurate and faster than conventional joint mapping methods, making it an ideal solution forlarge-scale surveys in inaccessible areas. This paper reviews the development and applications ofphotogrammetry and digital discontinuity mapping along with the process of creating ۳D rock outcropmodels and mentions the advantages and disadvantages of using this approach in slope stability assessment.