Program Overview

Assessment of Slope Stability: Design of Slopes and Retaining Structures

This module introduces a range of topics, including:

• The design and assessment of slopes, open pit mine pitwalls, excavations, and tailing dams
• The international standards that govern this field, such as Eurocode 7 and ICOLD bulletins
• The theories behind the assessment of the stability of slopes in rocks and soils
• The use of stability charts and other methods to assess the stability of slopes

In this module, students will:

• Discover the methods used to assess slope stability, with an emphasis on Limit Equilibrium and Finite Element analyses
• Learn about using Eurocode 7 for slope stability assessment and design
• Assess slope stability in rocks and cohesive soils using stability charts
• Learn how to design open pit mines pitwalls, with tutorials based on real-world examples
• Consider the typical failure modes in tailing dams and soil liquefiability

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students will have:

• Knowledge of the main analytical methods (e.g., wedge analysis, infinite slope assumption, Newmark’s method) for the assessment of slope stability
• Knowledge of the main numerical methods (e.g., Limit Equilibrium Methods, Finite Element Method) for the assessment of slope stability
• Knowledge of Eurocode 7 for the assessment of slopes, open pit mine pitwalls, excavations, and their design
• Knowledge of the effect of tension cracks, hydraulic conditions, and seismic action on slope stability
• Knowledge of the role of material properties (soil and rock unit weight and strength parameters) and geometric parameters (slope height and inclination) for slope stability
• Knowledge of the main types of failures occurring in tailing dams and their causes
• Fluency in analytical methods (e.g., wedge analysis, infinite slope assumption, Newmark’s method) for slope stability assessment
• Fluency in numerical methods (e.g., Limit Equilibrium Method, Finite Element Method) for slope stability assessment
• Fluency in problem-solving and application of appropriate analytical and numerical techniques for the design of mine pitwalls and cuttings
• Fluency in the application of Eurocode 7 to assess the stability of slopes and design slopes
• Fluency in the use of slope stability charts

Course Agenda

Teaching on this module will include:

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Problem-solving
• Small group teaching sessions
• Computer software exercises
• Coursework

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