A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
The Warm Blanket of Geotechnical Databases and the Reality of Rock Mechanics
The limited success of simplified slope stability assessment tools and concerns related to slope performance resulted in a review of an open pit mine located in South Western United States. 3D numerical was used to assess the LOM design which led to improved slope stability, while maintaining key safety and production targets.
An advanced inelastic strain-softening constitutive model (IUCM) was used with FLAC3D (finite difference) and SlopeX software to assess slope stability of the LOM design. The weak nature of the rock mass necessitated that time-dependent behaviour was accounted for, which typically cannot be considered by simplified slope stability assessment approaches.
The limited availability of a well-developed geotechnical database required that model inputs (material properties) were primarily derived through rigorous back analysis of slope behaviour, as recorded by slope monitoring equipment. Significantly, subsequent slope performance of the LOM compares favourably with original forecast results derived from the advanced numerical software and IUCM.
This paper demonstrates that the derivation of material properties along with the simulation of complex rock mass behaviour can be successfully achieved despite a limited geotechnical database. This underlines the importance of applying the correct assessment tools and rock mass constitutive models in order to produce safe, reliable open pit mine designs.
The Warm Blanket of Geotechnical Databases and the Reality of Rock Mechanics
The limited success of simplified slope stability assessment tools and concerns related to slope performance resulted in a review of an open pit mine located in South Western United States. 3D numerical was used to assess the LOM design which led to improved slope stability, while maintaining key safety and production targets.
An advanced inelastic strain-softening constitutive model (IUCM) was used with FLAC3D (finite difference) and SlopeX software to assess slope stability of the LOM design. The weak nature of the rock mass necessitated that time-dependent behaviour was accounted for, which typically cannot be considered by simplified slope stability assessment approaches.
The limited availability of a well-developed geotechnical database required that model inputs (material properties) were primarily derived through rigorous back analysis of slope behaviour, as recorded by slope monitoring equipment. Significantly, subsequent slope performance of the LOM compares favourably with original forecast results derived from the advanced numerical software and IUCM.
This paper demonstrates that the derivation of material properties along with the simulation of complex rock mass behaviour can be successfully achieved despite a limited geotechnical database. This underlines the importance of applying the correct assessment tools and rock mass constitutive models in order to produce safe, reliable open pit mine designs.
The Warm Blanket of Geotechnical Databases and the Reality of Rock Mechanics
Atlantis Highlights in Engineering
Javankhoshdel, Sina (editor) / Abolfazlzadeh, Yousef (editor) / Watson, Julian (author) / Mendez, Antonio Verduzco (author) / Robertson, Patricia (author)
TVSeminars and Mining One International Conference ; 2022 ; Toronto, ON, Canada
Proceedings of the TMIC 2022 Slope Stability Conference (TMIC 2022) ; Chapter: 11 ; 103-117
2023-02-26
15 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
Journal of rock mechanics and geotechnical engineering : JRMGE
UB Braunschweig | Volume 1, issue 1 (26 October 2009)-
Journal of rock mechanics and geotechnical engineering : JRMGE
TIBKAT | Volume 1, issue 1 (26 October 2009)-