Stability of the working highwall in a strip mining operation and comparison of the failure in a physical model with that of a two-dimensional finite element analysis /

Abstract

This study is comprised of an analysis of slope stability in strip mines using a finite element model as well as a physical model. The physical model was designed to simulate typical rather than specific strip mine conditions in Oklahoma. The study includes the selection of the physical model material and the design of the loading apparatus based on dimensional analysis. The failure surface geometry and front surface displacements of the model when loaded were studied and comparisons have been made between the test results. The displacements represent the initial movement of the slope. It was found that the slope remains stable unless a failure surface appears which intersects the plane of weakness. In order to numerically model typical conditions in a strip mine, a two-dimensional plane strain analysis employing the finite element method was used and a simplified method for strip mine stability has been developed. The results obtained from this method were compared to the physical model. The failure surface geometry and the front surface displacement followed a pattern similar to that obtained by the experimental investigation.