Combined methodology for three-dimensional slope stability analysis coupled with time effect: a case study in Germany

High-steep slopes in open pit mines are much more likely to collapse due to mining operations. Challenges such as data acquisition, precise numerical models and adaptable methodologies have impeded more reliable results of slope stability analysis based on the current methods. Within this context, this paper proposes a combined methodology using light detection and ranging technology to capture high-resolution slope geometry, three-dimensional geological and geotechnical modeling technologies for creating high-quality numerical simulation models and finite-element slope stability analyses combined with a new automatic strength reduction technique to analyze complex geotechnical problems. At the end, the methodology introduces a time series analysis to improve the reliability of the calculated factor of safety. A case study in the deepest open pit mine in Hambach, Germany, was conducted to test and demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed methodology.