This video demonstrates K-MINE’s pit wall stability workflow for heterogeneous rock masses, covering cross-section setup, geotechnical parameter assignment, groundwater table definition, and Factor of Safety calculation using Bishop Simplified, Janbu, and Force Polygon methods. It is intended for geotechnical engineers and pit design engineers evaluating slope stability under complex geological conditions. Visit kmine.com to learn more or request a demo.
Video transcription
This walkthrough covers the Calculate Stability of Heterogeneous Walls task in K-MINE — a dedicated workflow for assessing pit wall stability in geologically complex conditions where rock mass heterogeneity directly controls slope behavior.
Overview and Engineering Purpose
The task is designed for analyzing pit wall stability under complex geological conditions, where rock mass heterogeneity plays a critical role. It supports engineering decisions focused on slope stability, operational safety, and reliable mine performance.
Calculation Methods
The analysis is based on classical limit equilibrium methods:
- Bishop Simplified
- Janbu
- Force Polygon
These methods allow flexible evaluation of different stability scenarios and provide reliable Factor of Safety estimates, depending on geological structure and selected strength models.
Workflow: Setting Up the Cross-Section
The workflow begins with creating an engineering-geological cross-section in the area of interest.
In this example, the section passes through an internal waste dump — however, the same approach applies to any pit wall configuration.
Geological units are defined on the section and assigned geotechnical properties using the built-in material database.
Strength Criteria
Two strength criteria are supported:
- Mohr–Coulomb — friction angle and cohesion
- Hoek–Brown — for jointed rock mass characterization
Modeling Geological Complexity
To reflect the full complexity of the rock mass, additional parameters can be introduced:
- A weak layer — to represent potential failure surfaces along zones of reduced strength
- A groundwater table — to account for pore pressure effects on effective stress and stability
Surface Loads
Surface loads are configured separately and may include:
- Static loads — equipment, stockpiles, infrastructure
- Dynamic loads — blast vibration or traffic-induced loading
Results
Once all parameters are defined and the calculation is executed, the following outputs are available for engineering evaluation:
- Factor of Safety — quantified stability margin for the analyzed cross-section
- Failure wedge geometry — location and shape of the potential sliding mass
- Load distribution — stress and force outputs across the section