%0 Conference Paper %A Bridges, M.C. %D 2013 %T An extensional mechanism of instability and failure in the walls of open pit mines %P 137-150 %E P.M. Dight %C Brisbane %8 25-27 September %B Slope Stability 2013: Proceedings of the 2013 International Symposium on Slope Stability in Open Pit Mining and Civil Engineering %X Evidence from studies of instability and failures in the walls of open pit mines and cuttings indicates a predominance of an extensional mechanism, comprising toppling, ravelling and creep-subsidence. This is interpreted to arise from relief and dilation when a pit wall is excavated, removing overburden and lateral confinement of the wall. Evidence does not support sliding and shear or shallow toppling mechanisms of instability or failure. %1 Perth %I Australian Centre for Geomechanics %U https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/1308_03_Bridges/ %R 10.36487/ACG_rep/1308_03_Bridges