Resilient design of large open pit slopes

Although significant advances have been made in understanding the mechanics of pit slopes, numerical modelling hasn't significantly impacted on the reliability of the design process. It is well known that legacy modelling approaches don't simulate large slopes well. In recent times, the emergence of very large finite element (FE) models with more than ten million degrees of freedom and the ability to simulate a large number of discrete structures, has allowed a step change in the simulation precision for slopes. The model size allows global and local effects to be realistically simulated in one model for the first time and the process can be better integrated into normal open pit slope engineering processes. Some examples of simulation of very large open pits are shown that demonstrate the challenges and some recent advances in modelling large slope behaviour. Significant limitations in the current measurement and bservation regimes of open pits have been identified.