The role of creep deformation in pit lake slope stability

Abstract Large-scale open-pit mining activities have profound impacts on the surrounding landscape and environment. At cessation of mining, rehabilitation large void spaces can be achieved by pit-lake filling, where water body provides a confining pressure mine surfaces, reducing both likelihood slope failure need for ongoing maintenance. Although pit-lakes present range long-term benefits, geotechnical performance mines containing soft soils that are susceptible to creep under increasing loads due filling is seldom considered. From standpoint, induced commonly associated with slow, downslope movements, prior critical events. In this research, time-dependent stability analyses based creep-sensitive materials presented an open-cut undergoing filling. Numerical simulation mechanism assessment exhibiting soil constitutive behaviour various loading conditions The response surfaces investigated regimes, highlighting location-dependent deformation rates, pore pressures Factors Safety Australian brown coal mine. Results two separate materials, identifying ability achieve final, stable landforms conditions. Article Highlights Time-dependent Victorian rehabilitation. model implemented model, assess long-lasting movements specific slope. Mine rates simulated scenarios over 5 40 year period, excess distributions in addition vertical horizontal deformations rates. 8 cross-section profiles presented, effect silt clay interseam materials.