Abstract
Slope stability monitoring in open cut mining is increasingly based on the use of a variety of different sensors and associated analytics, each capable of providing part of the understanding required to manage complex geotechnical environments. Designing an integrated monitoring system that is both attainable and fit for purpose can therefore be particularly challenging. In this paper, a systems engineering approach based on a novel methodology is presented to design the slope monitoring system. The methodology uses the rock engineering systems (RES) approach to system decomposition for geotechnical engineering problems, to determine the critical rock mass behaviours requiring monitoring. It follows this with the application of the system theoretic process analysis (STPA) approach, to design the control system for the monitoring system and identify and mitigate sub-optimal configurations. We demonstrate that the approach is practical to implement and supports transparent and defensible decision making for designing and implementing slope monitor systems. We apply the method to the design of a monitoring system for an Australian coal mine and demonstrate how the approach can facilitate the identification and design of new sensing modalities.
Highlights
The digital mining age has arrived and offers the ability to build more integrated sensing and monitoring networks, including the introduction of new sensing modalities, to support rock mass engineering, both in design and operational settings
The relative thickness, frequency of occurrence, and contrast of competence among strata vary with location, adding further complexity to the geotechnical competence conditions.among strata vary with location, adding further complexity to the geotechnical conditions
The method allows for the optimal design of the monitoring system to account for particular rock mass conditions and mining methods and assists in the identification of potentially unsafe or sub-optimal operating modes of the system
Summary
The digital mining age has arrived and offers the ability to build more integrated sensing and monitoring networks, including the introduction of new sensing modalities, to support rock mass engineering, both in design and operational settings. Slope and ground control monitoring systems are a critical part of current and new mining methods. As the maturity of digital mining technology increases, these systems will increasingly contain multitudes of new sensors, potentially integrated through third party providers of integration platforms. ). the sophistication of these current and emerging sensing technologies does not mitigate the complexity of the underlying rock mass being monitored and, the complexity of the integrated monitoring system itself.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
