Slope stability studies by analysing fracture orientation of discontinuous rocks at Chandmari Copper Project, Khetri, Rajasthan

Investigations were carried out on various exposed benches of a copper openpit mine in Rajasthan with emphasis on structural discontinuities and strength properties of rocks. The analysis is done using the computer programme PATCH (1) developed by USBM researchers. This programme uses the orientations of rock fractures. Based on the analysis of data from field work and laboratory test, potential failure zone is determined for use in the pit design. Programme PATCH (1) identifies the clusters or grouping among the fracture orientations and them calculates (i) the mean orientation of the fractures within each cluster and (ii) the dispersion or scatter among these fracture orientations. The confidence interval of fracture orientation mean is calculated by applying Fisher’s estimates [5]. Clusters which do not follow Arnold’s [4] hemispherical normal distribution are also discussed.