Read, JRL 2007, 'Rock Slope Stability Research', in Y Potvin (ed.), Slope Stability 2007: Proceedings of the 2007 International Symposium on Rock Slope Stability in Open Pit Mining and Civil Engineering, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 355-359, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/708_Read (https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/708_Read/) Abstract: The methods we use to describe the anisotropic strength of closely jointed rock masses are highly subjective and experiential. Consequently, there is a need to construct an ‘equivalent material’ that honours the strength of the intact rock and joint fabric within the rock bridges that may occur along a candidate failure surface in a closely jointed rock mass. We then need to be able to use this model to simulate the brittle fracture that can and does propagate across the joint fabric within the rock bridges as the rock mass deforms. It has been found that the Bonded Particle Method utilised by the Itasca PFC numerical modelling codes may be able to provide such a material model. Known as the Synthetic Rock Mass (SRM) model, the model represents the intact rock in the rock bridges with an assemblage of bonded particles and the joints by a sliding joint model that allows associated particles to slide through, rather than over, one another and so represent joints that slide and open in the normal way. In 3-D block caving simulations SRM rock bridge fracture has been found to be widespread. From a rock slope stability point of view the model has the potential to provide a means of developing a strength envelope that does not rely on either Mohr Coulomb or Hoek-Brown criteria. Similarly, the inverse of providing Hoek-Brown parameters and calibrating the Hoek- Brown strength envelope should also be possible. A rock mass characterisation program with numerical and empirical comparisons involving SRM test samples calibrated with intact rock and joint data coming from different mine sites has therefore been developed to test the concept in conjunction with studies to utilise the model in PFC and continuum/discontinuum codes for slope stability analysis purposes.