Introduction

This course will teach what is needed to design slopes with easy-to-understand introductions and step-by-step procedures. The course is thought for mining and geotechnical engineers (and geologists) who tackle the problem of designing slopes for the first time. Although knowledge of geotechnical engineering and rock mechanics is advantageous, the course can be followed with profit even without this background.

Following this course the learner will be equipped to use software for slope stability assessment (e.g. Rocscience Slide, Geostudio, etc) and the optimal design of slopes (e.g. OptimalSlope).

The course commences with an introduction to how the strength of rock is characterised and measured, followed by an overview of the geological discontinuities that can be encountered in situ affecting rock mass strength. Then slope failure modes are introduced. The principles underpinning the design of benches, inter-ramp and overall slopes are then taught together with the use of stability charts and the main numerical methods for slope stability analysis.  Then the design of geotechnically optimal slopes is introduced. Finally the benefit of integrating slope design into strategic mine planning will be illustrated via a few mine example case studies.

Several tutorials for students to do at their own time . Completion of the course will enable the learner to apply their knowledge to their needs, whether they are a student or a practitioner.

Limited places.

Week 1:

Strength of intact rock: the Mohr-Coulomb criterion and the Hoek-Brown criterion. Main geotechnical tests to determine strength: unconfined compressive strength test, direct shear, triaxial test.

Week 2:

Strength of rock masses: generalised Hoek-Brown, effect of discontinuities, rock anisotropy. Main tools to identify rock discontinuities.

Week 3:

• – Main failure modes for slopes.
• – Design of slopes via stability charts and trial and error
• – Design of pitwalls: 1) design of benches; 2) design of Interamp and Overall angles.

Week 4:

Calculation of Factor of Safety of a slope via numerical methods such as: Limit Equilibrium Method, limit analysis and finite element method

Week 5:

Design of geotechnically optimal slopes via OptimalSlope. Demonstration through mine case studies

Week 6:

• – Revision of strategic mine planning
• – Integration of slope design into strategic mine planning. Demonstration through mine case studies

Stefano Utili 

Dr Utili is Professor of Geotechnical Engineering at Newcastle University (UK) and founder of OptimalSlope Ltd (http://optimalslope.com/). He is Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineering. Prof. Utili is member International Technical Committee 208 “Slope stability in engineering practice”, serves on the Editorial Board of several international prestigious Journals, e.g. Engineering Geology, Rock Mechanics & Rock Engineering, Landslides and has researched and published extensively for >20 years on slope stability assessment and the design of slopes and mine pitwalls.

The course is delivered online through our easy-to-use Virtual Campus platform. For this course, a variety of content is provided including:

– eLearning materials
– Videos
– Interactive multimedia content
– Live webinar classes
– Texts and technical articles
– Case studies
– Assignments and evaluation exercises

Students can download the materials and work through the course at their own pace.
We regularly update this course to ensure the latest news and state-of-the-art developments are covered, and your knowledge of the subject is current.

Live webinars form part of our course delivery. These allow students and tutors to go through the course materials, exchange ideas and knowledge, and solve problems together in a virtual classroom setting. Students can also make use of the platform’s forum, a meeting point to interact with tutors and other students.

The tutoring system is managed by email. Students can email the tutor with any questions about the course and the tutor will be happy to help.

This course is aimed at:

• – geotechnical engineers and geologists who tackle the design of open pit mine slopes and cuttings for the first time
• – mining engineers who want to be able to perform the design of mine pitwalls at the prefeasibility and feasibility stage to extract maximum value from strategic mine planning.

Once a student finishes the course and successfully completes the assignments and evaluation tests, they are sent an accreditation certificate. The certificate is issued by Ingeoexpert to verify that the student has passed the course. It is a digital certificate that is unique and tamper-proof – it is protected by Blockchain technology. This means it is possible for anyone to check that it is an authentic, original document.

You will be able to download the certificate in an electronic format from the Virtual Campus platform. The certificate can be forwarded by email, shared on social networks, and embedded on websites. To see an example, click here.

Currently, in the civil sector and in mining especially there is an acute shortage of geotechnical engineers and in general of professionals with geotechnical expertise. This course will provide the necessary skills and knowledge to open up job opportunities in the lucrative open pit mining sector and in sectors such as public authorities and consulting engineering firms working on transportation infrastructure requiring the design and risk assessment of roadslope cuttings and embankments.