Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Probabilistic Analysis Of Potential Slope Failure In A Typical Surface Coal Mine In Nigeria
by Akindele, O.B, Olaleye, B.M and Okewale, I.A

Abstract:
The study investigates the probability of a potential rock slope failure in Okaba coal mine. The lithology of Okaba coal mine comprises of coal, laterite, and shale. The geomechanical parameters (uniaxial compressive strength, shear strength, frictional angle, cohesion, young modulus and poisson�s ratio) used in the assessment of the stability of the rock slopes were obtained from field and laboratory studies. In this research, finite element analysis method was used for three slope geometries. Phase2Rocscience software was used for simulation of all slope geometries. Model 1, 2 and 3 were analyzed according to the slope geometry for the mine. Strength reduction factor (SRF) of 1.33, 1.24 and 1.29 were obtained from finite element analysis respectively. The SRF value depicts the factor of safety of the mine slope and shows that the slope issafe due to high SRF value (greater than 1). Probability of the rock slope was then analyzed with 3.6 x 10-9%, 9.85 x 10-5%, and 2.22 x 10-9% probability of failure respectively. It further revealed that the mine slope has low probability of failure because of its high SRF value.

Keywords: Probability, Rock Slope, Finite Element Analysis, Coal Mine, Strength Reduction Factor

Download full paper