Development of a DFN-based probabilistic block theory approach for bench face angle design in open pit mining

In open pit mining,uncontrolled block instabilities have serious social,economic and regulatory consequences,such as casualties,disruption of operation and increased regulation difficulties.For this reason,bench face angle,as one of the controlling parameters associated with block instabilities,should be carefully designed for sustainable mining.This study introduces a discrete fracture network(DFN)-based probabilistic block theory approach for the fast design of the bench face angle.A major advantage is the explicit incorporation of discontinuity size and spatial distribution in the procedure of key blocks testing.The proposed approach was applied to a granite mine in China.First,DFN models were generated from a multi-step modeling procedure to simulate the complex structural characteristics of pit slopes.Then,a modified key blocks searching method was applied to the slope faces modeled,and a cumulative probability of failure was obtained for each sector.Finally,a bench face angle was determined commensurate with an acceptable risk level of stability.The simulation results have shown that the number of hazardous traces exposed on the slope face can be significantly reduced when the suggested bench face angle is adopted,indicating an extremely low risk of uncontrolled block instabilities.

Distribution and mechanism of gently dipping fractures subjected to river incision: A case study from Nujiang River, China

Gently dipping fractures subjected to river incision are widely distributed on rock slopes.In this paper,a rock slope on the Nujiang River(China)is investigated to study the role of gently dipping fractures in the rock slopes evolution.Detailed field surveys indicate that gentle fractures are concentrated in four main zones.Moreover,the kinematics of the fracture system suggest that the genesis of these fractures can be synthesized into a progressive evolution model.This model indicates that the joints begin with the formation of an array of en echelon cracks that are subjected to continued crack elongation and shearing before ultimately approaching one another and interacting to form a complex joint system.Geomechanical analysis is performed to reveal the mechanisms of this genesis,and three main fracture patterns are identified based on the slope stress and are classified with respect to the slope evolution.Based on the detail field investigations and the evolutionary history of the river valley,we propose that intermittent incision by the river was the main factor contributing to the concentrated distribution of gently dipping joints.

Determination of critical slip surface of fractured rock slopes based on fracture orientation data

The critical slip surface of a fractured rock slope tends to extend along the fractures.Thus,fracture orientation plays a critical role in determining the critical slip surface.Based on fracture orientation data,this paper examines the critical slip surfaces of fractured rock slopes.Given that the surface of a fractured rock slope extends along the fracture surfaces,or the wedges,with each composed of two arbitrary fractures,the critical slip surface is determined via stochastic dynamics.In addition,a fracture frequency method is proposed as a means of analyzing the critical slip surface.According to this method,the critical slip surface slips in whichever direction has the lowest fracture frequency.Based on the stochastic dynamics method and the fracture frequency method,the critical slip surface of the slope is finally determined,that is,the critical slip surface takes the form of a plane passing the slope toe with a dip of 120° and a dip angle of 45°.