Nomograms to calculate stability in slate and granite spoil heaps
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21701/bolgeomin.122.2.003Keywords:
granite, nomogram, slate, spoil heaps, stabilityAbstract
One of the main problems involved in the mining of slate and ornamental granite is the unavoidable generation of waste rock, which must be stored in spoil heaps under suitably integrated, secure and stable conditions. Our work here focuses on this last point. To study the risk of instability within spoil heaps we have analysed the performance of a wide number of models with regard to circular slope failure, taking into account the different degrees of compactness of the material, the characteristics of the material itself, the effect of water pressure and the geometry of the heap. From this analysis we obtained more than 300 safety criteria, which were then used to draw up a series of nomograms to allow us to determine the risk of sliding in any granite or slate spoil heap. Thus, nomograms prove themselves to be suitable, quick, easy-to-use tools for preliminary studies of new structures, for periodic analyses of existing structures and to investigate structures that are due to be modified.
Downloads
References
Abramson, L.W, Lee, T.S., Sharma, S. and Boyce, G.M. 2002. Slope stability and stabilization methods. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 711 pp.
Alejano, L.R., García, F., Alonso, E. and Gómez, I. 2001. Stability analysis and design of two quarry slopes with the help of numerical modelling. EUROROCK 2001. ISRM Symposyum. Rock Mechanics a challenge for society. Espoo, Finlandia. Ed. Balkema.
Alejano, L.R., Gómez, I. and Martínez, R. 2010. Analysis of a complex toppling-circular slope failure. Engineering Geology, 114, 93-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2010.03.005
Ayala, F.J. and Rodríguez, J.M. 1986. Manual para el diseño y construcción de escombreras y presas de residuos mineros. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Madrid, 182 pp.
Bishop, A.W. 1955. The use of the slip circle in the stability analysis of slopes. Geotechnique, 5 (1), 7-17. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1955.5.1.7
Bjerrum, L. 1967. Progressive failure in slope in overconsolidated plastic clays and clay shales. Terzaghi Lecture. J. of Soil Mech. Found. Div., ASCE, 93, 3-49. https://doi.org/10.1061/JSFEAQ.0001017
Chen, Z.Y. and Shao, C.M. 1988. Evaluation of minimum factors of safety in slope stability analysis. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 25, 735-48. https://doi.org/10.1139/t88-084
Coulomb, C.A. 1776. Essai sur une application des règles de maximis et minimis a quelques problémes de statique, relatifs a l'architecture. Mémoires de Mathématique de l'Académie Royale des Sciences, Paris, 7, 343-382.
Dan, B.M. 2002. Principles of geotechnical engineering. Ed. Brooks/Cole. Pacific Grove, California, 592 pp.
Duncan J.M. and Wright S.G. 1980. The accuracy of equilibrium methods of slope stability analysis. Engineering Geology, 16, 5-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-7952(80)90003-4
Fredlund D.G. and Krahn, J. 1976. Comparison of slope stability methods of analysis. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 14, 429-439. https://doi.org/10.1139/t77-045
Golden Software. 2009. Surfer ® Getting Started Guide. Golden Sorfware, Inc. Colorado, EEUU.
Hoek, E. and Bray, J.W. 1974. Rock Slope Engineering. Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, Londres.
Hunt, R.E. 1984. Geotechnical Engineering Investigation Manual. McGraw-Hill Book Company. New York, 983 pp.
ITGE y EPTISA. 1987. Manual de ingeniería de taludes. Instituto Tecnológico Geominero de España, Madrid, 456 pp.
Jiménez, J.A., de Justo, J.L. y Serrano, A.A. 1981. Geotecnia y cimentación II. Editorial Rueda, Madrid, 1188 pp.
Koerner, R.M. 1970. Effect of particle characteristics on soil strength. Journal of the Soil Mechanics and Foundations Division, 96 (4), 1221-1234. https://doi.org/10.1061/JSFEAQ.0001436
Mohr, O. 1900. Welch Umstände bedingen die Elastizitätsgrenze undden Bruch eines Materials? Zeitschrift Verein Deutsch Ingenieur, 44 1524-1530.
Ramírez, P. y Alejano, L. 2007. Mecánica de Rocas, Fundamentos e Ingeniería de Taludes. Máster internacional "Aprovechamiento sostenible de los recursos minerales". Madrid, 728 pp.
Real Decreto 863/1985, de 2 de abril, por el que se aprueba el Reglamento General de Normas Básicas de Seguridad Minera. Boletín Oficial del Estado, 12 de junio de 1985.
Roscience. 2009. User's guide. Rocscience Inc. Toronto, Canada.
Sarma, S.K. 1979. Satiability analysis of embankments and slopes. ASCE Journal of geotechnical engineering division, 105, 1511-1524. https://doi.org/10.1061/AJGEB6.0000903
Suárez J. 1998. Deslizamientos y estabilidad de taludes en zonas tropicales. Escuela de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Colombia.
Varnes D.J. 1978. Slope movement types and processes. En: Landslides analysis and control. Transportation Research Board. National Academy of Sciences, 176, 11-33.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
© CSIC. Manuscripts published in both the print and online versions of this journal are the property of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, and quoting this source is a requirement for any partial or full reproduction.
All contents of this electronic edition, except where otherwise noted, are distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence. You may read the basic information and the legal text of the licence. The indication of the CC BY 4.0 licence must be expressly stated in this way when necessary.
Self-archiving in repositories, personal webpages or similar, of any version other than the final version of the work produced by the publisher, is not allowed.
