Slope Geometry Design, Deformations and Failures of Ancient Quarries in Zhejiang Province, China

There are many ancient quarry slope sites in Zhejiang Province, China. The typical quarries are Shanghuashan in Ningbo, Donghu, Houshan and Keyan in Shaoxing, Dafo Temple in Xinchang and so on. These slopes were excavated by the ancients 700 years even more than 2,000 years ago. Nowadays, these sites are all opened to the public for tourism. According to the field engineering geological investigations, the maximum height of the slopes is 60 m. Unique slope geometry design was made by the ancients to get larger production of stone and obtain safety of the workers: arc countertendency slope, arc slope in horizontal plane, supporting thin wall in the orthogonal direction to slope, triangular blocks supporting the top of the slope in a countertendency, horizontal bench along slope below fault etc. These geometries designed by the ancients can be reference for the modern quarry. Nowadays, deformations and failures occurred in some of the slopes: wedge failure, pressure shear or tensile crack, slide along the bedding plane or fault. Thoroughly engineering geology studies should be carried out as soon as possible to ensure the safety of the tourists and protect the ancient sites of quarry.