SLOPE STABILITY MONITORING
The RGR-Velox comes after extensive collaboration with a global technology leader which specialises in innovative sensing solutions including advanced threat detection systems . “ Our partner ’ s systems are not only used in mission-critical military applications , but also in many of the world ’ s airports for drone and intruder detection , coastal naval monitoring , and border security . They have a long history in successfully detecting and tracking moving targets spanning over four decades and the defence , government , industrial , marine , and security industries . Their military-grade hardware is combined with GroundProbe ’ s safety-critical software , alarming and systems . Those processing techniques , systems , and smarts have never failed to detect a collapse . Together , the system provides unrivalled confidence .”
GroundProbe says its Geotechnical Support Service ( GSS ) also continues to grow . “ GroundProbe has seen a dramatic increase in the demand for dedicated 24-hour remote monitoring of systems ( GSS-Remote ) and advanced report generation ( GSS-Reporting ). More mining companies are looking to global digital technologies and services to ensure no movement goes undetected . Through our range of distinctive services , which also include GSS- Training , GSS-Local , and GSS-Alarming , we can provide seamless support in English , Bahasa , Spanish and Portuguese languages through our remote monitoring centres .”
GroundProbe has also noted that minesites around the globe are continuing to deploy an ever-increasing number of sensors . “ The collection of that data is essential and valuable , but it can be difficult to collate , manage , and report on effectively . Data aggregation standardises all data and allows information from a range of different sensors to be imported , compared , contrasted , and analysed on the one platform , allowing users to experience a complete , holistic view of what is occurring across an entire mine site , which is extremely beneficial . GroundProbe ’ s MonitorIQ ® is that data visualisation and analysis tool – by providing a greater understanding of slope and geotechnical movement through improved analysis tools and alarming functionality .”
In the future the company expects to see the further development of automation and the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) and machine learning , to produce smarter , more intuitive slope monitoring systems , capable of running more independently and managing data better , so it plans continue to invest heavily in MonitorIQ ® .
Rocscience – getting deformation data into 3D
Founded in 1996 , Rocscience is a world leader in developing 2D and 3D software for civil , mining , and geotechnical engineers and its technology is increasingly being combined with data from different surveying methods in tailings and open pit mine monitoring . In particular these include its Slide3 tool that allows geotechnical engineers to calculate the factor of safety of complex 3D slope stability geometries that 2D models cannot fully simulate ; plus RS3 which uses shear strength reduction to determine slope stability in 3D finite element models . The success of its solutions has been shown in the announcement of a number of partnerships .
In October 2020 , Rocscience and Reutech Mining announced that Slide3 and RS3 were now integrating deformation monitoring data from Reutech Mining ’ s MSR series . Reutech stated : “ The unique selling proposition of the MSR series lies in its lossless data compression algorithms combined with high-speed wireless communication hardware that provides instant remote access , no matter the environment . Known to provide highly customisable solutions , the MSR series produces its own high-resolution true 3-Dimensional point cloud using real aperture radar ( RAR ) interferometric technology . The MSR series specialises in the identification of finite failure mechanisms that do not rely on Digital Terrain Models or camera images . With a scan speed of a maximum of 40 degrees per second for the MSR Modular range , and a 2- second aerial scan time for the MSRIV Esprit , these systems are designed to cover large areas within a very short time period , and have a highly repeatable scan functionality . The advanced parallel computing architecture can process the x , y and z data for visual and trend plot assessment while actively scanning , making slope deformation data and therefore alarm exceedance alerts to be available immediately .”
The collaboration involves a recent Maintenance + update of Slide3 and RS3 which allows users to import deformation data from the synthetic map of the MSR series and overlay them onto their models to accurately analyse
Reutech Mining MSR data overlay on a real model in Rocscience Slide3 illustrating the FoS ellipse
the Factor of Safety ( FoS ) and Probability of Failure ( PoF ) of their projects . This feature is also an asset while managing instability risk when monitoring sites and assessing models prior to , during and after excavation to safeguard from the plausible event of the slope being compromised due to design , implementation or rock mass failure .
The companies state : “ Rocscience and Reutech Mining are two organisations that share the same thoughts in that the user of our software should be empowered with the latest technology and hence , this partnership towards the convergence of numerical modelling with radar data is testimony towards the common goal of achieving ‘ intelligent slope design .’ Geotechnical Engineers will benefit from this association as they now have more cutting-edge tools in hand to perform high-end calibration . It is this calibration component of the design process that is paramount for assessing both the design criteria and the anticipated versus the actual documented response of the pit slope to excavation . Often , adjustments are required to the design as the slope is developed , either for optimisation of the slope or for the mitigation of instability .”
Rocscience and Hexagon ’ s IDS GeoRadar first joined hands in 2018 when deformation monitoring data from IDS ’ s monitoring radars were integrated into Rocscience ’ s Slide3 and RS3 . This integration was the first of its kind in the industry and paved the way for radar data to support numerical modelling . And in 2019 , RS3 and Slide3 added the ability to import live radar monitoring data into RS3 and Slide3 , propelling the scope for intelligent slope design .
In their latest step to enable and empower users to take on more complex slope stability projects , Rocscience and IDS GeoRadar have worked together to bring Slide3 Safety Maps into Guardian . “ Slide3 is Rocscience ’ s 3D Limit
104 International Mining | AUGUST 2021