Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Application of 3D numerical methods to the design of high rock slopes

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper deals with the deformation mechanisms and stability analysis of large slopes. The Sarcheshmeh mine west wall was selected as a case study. The current height of Sarcheshmeh west wall is 450 m, and in the future planning, pit depth exceeds over 800 m. With regard to the high future west wall (up to 1000 m), a comprehensive stability analysis was conducted. A sophisticated 3D model of the west wall was constructed and a comprehensive stress analysis was conducted. Both current and future slope geometries were analyzed, and the slope deformation mechanisms and stress change history were investigated as a function of slope excavation. The effect of regional in situ stress regime on the wall stability was demonstrated. Numerical modeling results are in agreement with field observations and predict instabilities for the midsection of Sarcheshmeh west wall.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Benko B, Stead D (1999) Analysis of two landslide case studies using numerical modelling. In Proc. 13th Annual Vancouver Geotechnical Society Symp. Vancouver, pp. 19–29

  • Eslami M, Asadipour M, Taheri A (2005) The effect of alteration and weathering on strength of rocks at the Sarcheshmeh copper mine. In Proceedings of the Second Iranian Open Pit Mine Conference. Kerman

  • Hencher SR, Liao QH, Monaghan BG (1996) Modelling of slope behaviour for open pits. Trans Inst Min Metall Sect A 105:A37–A47

    Google Scholar 

  • Itasca Consulting Group Inc. (1992) Version 2.0, USA

  • Lorig L, Varona P (2001) Practical slope-stability analysis using finite-difference codes. In: Hustrulid WA, McCarter MJ, Van Zyl DJA (eds) Slope stability in surface mining. Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Inc., Littleton, pp 115–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Mortazavi A (2009) Geomechanics design and stability analysis of Sarcheshmeh Mine west wall using 3D discontinuum modelling approach. Technical report to Sarcheshmeh Copper Mine, Kerman

  • Sjöberg J (1999) Analysis of large scale rock slopes. Doctoral thesis, Division of Rock mechanics, Luleå University of Technology

  • Sjöberg J (2000) Failure mechanism for high slopes in hard rock. Slope stability in surface mining. Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, Littleton, pp 71–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Stacy TR (1968) Stability of rock slopes in open pit mines. National Mechanical Engineering research Institute, CSIR Report, MEG 737, South Africa

  • Stacy PF (1993) Pit slope designs for the 21st century. In innovative mine design for the 21st century. Kingston, pp. 3–11

  • Stead D, Eberhardt E (1997) Developments in the analysis of footwall slopes in surface coal mining. Eng Geol 46(1):41–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stead D, Eberhardt E, Coggan J, Benko B (2001) Advanced numerical stability analysis—applications and limitations. In: Kühne et al. (eds) International conference on landslides—causes, impacts and countermeasures. 17–21 June, Davos, pp. 615–624

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

    Ali Mortazavi

  2. Geotechnical Division, Sarcheshmeh Copper Mine, Kerman, Iran

    Morteza Asadipour & Mohammad Eslami

  3. R & D Division, Sarcheshmeh Copper Mine, Kerman, Iran

    Peyman Salajegheh

Authors
  1. Ali Mortazavi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Morteza Asadipour
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mohammad Eslami
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Peyman Salajegheh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ali Mortazavi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mortazavi, A., Asadipour, M., Eslami, M. et al. Application of 3D numerical methods to the design of high rock slopes. Arab J Geosci 8, 9577–9598 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-015-1889-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-015-1889-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation