Puerta-Mejía, AF, Deisman, N & Macciotta, R 2023, 'The importance of geological and material model detail in modelling progressive failure: Andes deep open pit', in PM Dight (ed.), SSIM 2023: Third International Slope Stability in Mining Conference, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 315-332, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2335_18
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/2335_18_Puerta-Mejia/)
Abstract: This study investigates the effects of geological modelling detail and material model complexity on the numerical modelling of progressive failure in deep open pit mining operations. The inter-ramp failure case is a common failure mechanism in open pit mine slopes. The research aims to identify the individual and combined effects of these factors on the precision of predicting progressive failure behaviour by systematically varying the level of detail included in the geological model and the complexity of the selected material model. The investigation aims to deepen our understanding of material model complexity and geological model detail in capturing progressive failure mechanisms. The case study demonstrates how a thorough geological model and efficient back-analysis techniques can successfully replicate observed progressive failure mechanisms, providing valuable information for infrastructure and mining industries.
The findings will offer practitioners advice on the appropriate level of complexity needed for different levels of a numerical simulation study of progressive failure. This research contributes to a better understanding of progressive failure in deep open pit mining slopes by examining the combined effects of geological model detail and material model complexity. It improves numerical modelling techniques, ultimately aiding open pit mining operations in making better safety and decision-making choices.

Keywords: inter-ramp failure, progressive failure, rock slopes, geological modelling, material modelling, numerical modelling