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In-Depth Information
and to minimize the potential for rock falls and
other modes of instability, the continued use of
controlled blasting practices on the final walls was
strongly recommended.
our understanding of the failure modes and sens-
itivity of stability to the key parameters. One
of the main benefits of these approaches is their
inherent flexibility and adaptability to chan-
ging pit geometry, geology and ground water
conditions.
The latter two examples introduced additional
degrees of complexity in which potential failure
modes could not be adequately described or ana-
lyzed using simple limit equilibrium techniques
alone. These examples describe the application
of sophisticated stability analysis models that
require extensive calibration and mature engin-
eering judgment. Regardless of the approach
employed, the reliability of the underlying geo-
logic structural and engineering geology models
of the rock mass are critical to the successful
implementation of any slope design.
15.6 Conclusions
The approaches to open pit slope design illus-
trated in the first two examples described in
this chapter have been successfully implemented
on numerous projects worldwide over the last
25 years. They rely predominantly on limit equi-
librium stability analysis techniques that are well
established and widely used. Early design criteria
that were based largely on analytical studies have
been confirmed, refined and updated based on
observed slope performance. Refinements in the
underlying analytical tools continue to improve
