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open pit stability

stability of the lappeenranta open pit

Simulation of the stability of the open pit benches using different approaches

This study focused on the rock mechanics stability of the benches of the open-pit mine located at Lappeenranta, Finland. Stability was simulated in three phases, first as a wedge-analysis with Swedge (Rocscience). For the overall pit wall stability, 2D and 3D approaches were used, using the RS2 and 3DEC, respectively. 3DEC was used to simulate the fracture network as observed in the rock mass. Fracture data was collected from a high-resolution photogrammetric model of the open pit, which complemented available geotechnical core logging data. Based on the analyses, we were able to assess the overall stability of the open pit and to provide the client with factor-of-safety values.