Review of Limit Equilibrium Methods for Stability Analysis of Dump Slope

Abstract

OBD slope is artificial dump slope. OBD material is excavated material during extraction of the mineral or coalfrom the earth. Stability analysis of the overburden dump slope is crucial issue in mining industry. Assessmentof the factor of safety of OBD slopes on the basis of the limit equilibrium methods are widely used in India.Limit equilibrium methods based on finding path of least resistance offered to sliding of the upper wedge ofdump slope. Sliding surface may be circular or non-circular depends on the material of dump slope. Failures ofoverburden dump slope mostly will be circular. Circular failure occurs, when size of individual particles offractured OBD will be very much less than overall size of slope. Discontinuities in the OBD slope are source offailure. Discontinuities are connected to each other and results into instability of the OBD slope. In this paperdealt with formulation of various limit equilibrium methods and its application to the calculation of factor ofsafety of the OBD slope. Overall comparison of limit equilibrium methods was done on the basis of free bodydiagram of failure surface wedge.