Q-slope application to coal mine stability

Abstract

The Q-slope classification system is used to assess the stability of excavated rock slopes and provide an indication of long-term stable, reinforcement-free slope angles. Q-slope is based on over 500 rock slope case studies from mines, road and rail cuts hosted in igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks around the world. Q-slope has successfully been applied to slopes ranging from less than 5 m to more than 250 m in height in both civil and mining environments since its introduction in 2015. This paper describes the application of Q-slope to excavated coal mine slopes which are often hosted in complex, interbedded sedimentary strata. Q-slope application to coal mine slopes is compared to the likelihood of failure calculated by the Slope Stability Assessment Methodology (SSAM). A relationship between Q-slope and SSAM is also provided.