Uploaded June 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Open pit slopes, characterized by a medium to strong rock mass strength and showing a reasonable degree of structure, present challenges when inter-ramp scale analysis and designs are considered. There are a range of different approaches that exist, each with their own advantages and disadvantages: too simple, too slow, too ridged etc.
To get around these challenges, we built on our expertise in Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) modelling and developed an analysis solution (3DPOF) for identifying multi-bench scale rock blocks and evaluating their stability considering strength and pore pressure inputs.
DFN methods are the perfect solution for handling the slope structural complexity and uncertainty, with their stochastic modelling approach, allowing complex geometries to be generated and the kinematics evaluated. 3DPOF then considers the stability of the multi-bench scale rock blocks comprising non-daylighting wedges (NDWs) that are sitting behind or beside a buttress of rock mass that stabilizes the block.
This webinar reviews the application, describing when to use this approach and when not to, the DFN approach and the block stability solution, the handling of the NDW geometry and how the approach has helped advance inter-ramp analysis, understanding and design.
The webinar is for geotechnical engineers, rock mechanics engineers and people involved with designing & managing open pit slopes.
Presenter: Steve Rogers - Senior Principal Geoscientist, WSP in Canada
Moderator: Marisol Valerio Navarrete - Principal Rock Mechanics Engineer, WSP in Canada
The full technical paper that this webinar expands upon can be downloaded at: doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2025_67
Follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/wsp-mining
Visit our website for more information: wsp.com/en-gl/sectors/mining
Open pit slopes, characterized by a medium to strong rock mass strength and showing a reasonable degree of structure, present challenges when inter-ramp scale analysis and designs are considered. There are a range of different approaches that exist, each with their own advantages and disadvantages: too simple, too slow, too ridged etc.
To get around these challenges, we built on our expertise in Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) modelling and developed an analysis solution (3DPOF) for identifying multi-bench scale rock blocks and evaluating their stability considering strength and pore pressure inputs.
DFN methods are the perfect solution for handling the slope structural complexity and uncertainty, with their stochastic modelling approach, allowing complex geometries to be generated and the kinematics evaluated. 3DPOF then considers the stability of the multi-bench scale rock blocks comprising non-daylighting wedges (NDWs) that are sitting behind or beside a buttress of rock mass that stabilizes the block.
This webinar reviews the application, describing when to use this approach and when not to, the DFN approach and the block stability solution, the handling of the NDW geometry and how the approach has helped advance inter-ramp analysis, understanding and design.
The webinar is for geotechnical engineers, rock mechanics engineers and people involved with designing & managing open pit slopes.
Presenter: Steve Rogers - Senior Principal Geoscientist, WSP in Canada
Moderator: Marisol Valerio Navarrete - Principal Rock Mechanics Engineer, WSP in Canada
The full technical paper that this webinar expands upon can be downloaded at: doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2025_67
Follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/wsp-mining
Visit our website for more information: wsp.com/en-gl/sectors/mining
