S-Block: Open pit bench design in jointed rock based on optimizing failure volume and rockfall risk
S-Block: Open pit bench design in jointed rock based on optimizing failure volume and rockfall risk
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S-Block method
S-Block method
S-Block uses the Keyblock method to identify unstable blocks.
Wedge and plane failure modes are evaluated automatically.
Rockfall analysis is conducted using empirically based results.
3D visualization and statistical charts of results
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Analysis of individual bench stability
Analysis of individual bench stability
Individual bench analysis provides failure probability, volume of failure, and and depth of failure.
Average remaining bench width is calculated.
Each bench geometry is sampled many times to calculate average stability outcome
Batch run to analyze relative stability for different dips and orientations
Batch run to analyze relative stability for different dips and orientations
A batch run can be conducted for several hundred combinations of bench face dip and dip direction. The results are displayed as failure volumes or rockfall hazard bar charts.
3D-viewing of bench failures
3D-viewing of bench failures
Full 3D-view of all benches analyzed is available
Ability to rotate, zoom, change lighting etc.
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Effect of a single fault on bench stability
Effect of a single fault on bench stability
S-Block can evaluate the effect of adding a single structure such as a fault on bench stability
Combined plot shows fault cutting through five benches (this plot was made by copy/paste of five single plots)
Input of joint set data
Input of joint set data
The joint set input screen allows up to six joint sets to be entered plus a random set
For each joint set the friction, cohesion, trace length and orientation data are required
Input of bench and fault data
Input of bench and fault data
Bench orientation, dip, width, height inouts needed
For rockfall analysis number of benches above working bench need to be defined (bench stack)
The effect of a single fault can be included in the analysis
Rockfall risk assessment
Rockfall risk assessment
Rockfall analysis is automaticlly carried out for each slope analyzed
Rockfalls that reach the lowest 'working bench' are determined as the relative risk of loss is calcuated
The bench slope angle, effective bench width after failure, rubble at the toe of each bench, and bench height all have an effect on the rockfall risk
S-Block analysis methods
S-Block analysis methods
SBlock makes use of joint set statistics and the Keyblock method (Goodman & Shi, 1980) to simulate a large number of potential blocks in open pit benches.
Statistics are kept of the number of potentially unstable blocks, the volume of failure, safety factors etc., which allow you to evaluate the relative stability of different pit bench options. The program automatically looks for combinations of different joints and checks for potential sliding failure modes.
Single plane, double plane, triple plane (although very rare) sliding modes are evaluated. Sliding blocks can have up to 7 facets. The well known wedge and plane failures modes are included.
The program also has a module to calculate the effectiveness of benches to arrest rockfalls. Catch bench effectiveness is calculated using empirical equations based on actual rockfall tests carried out by Oregon Department of Transport (ODOT Report, 2002).
Output is presented as easily interpreted failure probability, loss of berm width, volume of failure, potential rock spillage from one bench to the next, and risk values. Other outputs are also provided such as safety factors and spillage width distributions.
S-Block V2 также доступен на русском языке
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