###### Abstract  
This paper combines empirical observations, kinematic analysis, and numerical simulation to investigate slope failure susceptibility, with practical implications for regional infrastructure projects. Six slopes along the R37 road were analyzed to assess the impact of strata orientation and water presence on slope stability. The results indicate that various factors interact to destabilize the mechanical integrity of both rock and soil materials. Dry slopes were found to be less vulnerable to failure, although geological conditions remained influential. Numerical modeling using FLACSlope (version 8.1) revealed that the factor of safety (FoS) decreases as the water presence increases, highlighting the critical need for effective drainage solutions. Kinematic analysis, incorporating DIPS modeling and toppling charts, identified toppling as the most likely failure mode, with a 90% susceptibility rate, followed by planar and wedge failures at 6% and less than 5%, respectively. These findings are validated by the observed slope conditions and empirical data. Planar failures were often remnants of both sliding and toppling failures. Given the significant risk posed to road infrastructure, particularly where FoS hovers just above the stability threshold, this study emphasizes the importance of proactive, long-term slope monitoring and early mitigation strategies to prevent catastrophic failures. The results can guide infrastructure design and maintenance, ensuring safer and more resilient roadways in regions prone to slope instability. Nonetheless, the use of sophisticated slope stability modeling techniques is recommended for a thorough understanding of the mechanical dynamics of the slope material, and for catering to the shortfalls of the techniques applied in this paper. slope failure; numerical simulation; kinematic analysis; observations; FLACSlope 2024 20  
The orientation of the rock strata on the cut slope can also be key to understanding the extent of the stress endured by the rock mass, as evident in the empirical deformation [8]. For instance, monoclinic folds can represent a localised deformation caused by a fault movement, unlike the syncline or anticline folds, which are driven by compressive tectonic stress over a wide lateral extent [9]. In stratified rock, vertical fractures and bedding inclination regulate the failure pattern. Folding modifies the failure mechanism along cut slopes and alters the inclination of the bedding plane. Cross-stratification is articulated to produce overhangs and significantly reduces the mechanical integrity of the rock. High fracture intensity in the fold hinge zone weakens the rock mass, giving the blocks kinematic flexibility and leading to slope failure [6]. Other scholars concur that the orientation of the strata can be integrated with the lithology type and its susceptibility to weathering to determine the probability of slope failure [7]. Indeed, certain rock types, when exposed to atmospheric conditions, gradually lose their mechanical strength, resulting in failure over the inclined plane [10]. Similarly, the angle of inclination of the strata or rock blocks in the presence of other geological factors can bring about the susceptibility and the mode of slope failure [11]. Simply put, the orientation of the strata, geological structures, and the slope angle are all imperative aspects in the subject of slope stability assessment. In as much as the literature often discuss the impact of water on the failure susceptibility of soft and unconsolidated material, its implications on the mechanical integrity of any rock cannot be ignored. The conditions of surface and groundwater are crucial in both decreasing and increasing the resistance of solid materials along weak planes. Numerous studies have shown that rainfall-induced surface water increases the volume of materials and causes a phase shift from solid to liquid [12], which contributes to slope instability.