Block toppling stability in the case of rock blocks with rounded edges

A characteristic feature of spheroidal weathering is the rounding of rock block edges, which affects the mechanical stability of slender rock blocks and, consequently, that of slopes prone to toppling. We analysed the influence of this erosion phenomenon on block toppling stability, first discussing the geological environments that produce this kind of phenomena and then reviewing classic limit equilibrium equations for block toppling that account for the role played by rounded edges. On the basis of this approach, it is clear that rounded edges do not greatly affect stability against sliding. However, since the equation to compute stability against toppling tends to overestimate the stability of slopes with round-edged slender blocks, we propose a modification that results in a more accurate estimation.