Slope Stability 2020 - PM Dight (ed.

)
© Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, ISBN 978-0-9876389-7-7
doi:10.36487/ACG_repo/2025_02

Practical waste rock dump and stockpile management in high

rainfall and seismic regions of Papua New Guinea

N Bar Gecko Geotechnics Pty Ltd, Australia

J Semi Ok Tedi Mining Limited, Papua New Guinea
M Koek Ok Tedi Mining Limited, Papua New Guinea
G Owusu-Bempah Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited, Papua New Guinea
A Day Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited, Papua New Guinea
S Nicoll Newcrest Mining Limited, Papua New Guinea
J Bu Newcrest Mining Limited, Papua New Guinea

Abstract
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is host to several topographically, geologically and climatically different
environments. The central and western provinces of the mainland (‘the highlands’) are topographically
elevated between 1,000 and 4,000 m above sea level. The terrain is very rugged and the climate is cool all year
round. This region is hosted by uplifted sea floor sedimentary rocks, some of which have been
metamorphosed. There is no wet or monsoon season. Rather, rainfall occurs quite steadily all year round.
Annual rainfall can easily exceed 10,000 mm in some areas and low magnitude earthquakes are frequently
experienced. The smaller outer islands are topographically flatter, seismically active and receive in the order of
5,000 mm annual rainfall. Rainfall usually occurs in the form of high intensity thunderstorms. The climate is
very hot and humid. These islands often comprise a combination of volcanics and some sedimentary rocks.
Mining is a major industry in PNG and very large open pits have been constructed with excavated slope
heights ranging from 300 to 1,000 m. Open pit mine slopes are designed with a serviceable life of no more
than 10 to 20 years. As such, predicted and well-managed failures or landslides are usually considered
acceptable. Waste rock and low-grade ore are often placed in constructed rockfill dumps and stockpiles
which range in heights from 50 to over 300 m. High rockfill slope heights developed on often steep
foundations, coupled with the erosive and pore pressure effects of rainfall and seismicity can create
significant landslide hazards. This paper presents the cumulative efforts of practitioners managing risks
associated with rockfill dumps and stockpiles in PNG.
Keywords: rockfill, colluvium, waste rock dumps, stockpiles, slope stability

1 Introduction
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is host to diverse topographic, geological and climatic settings. The central and
western provinces of the mainland (‘the highlands’) are topographically elevated between 1,000 and
4,000 m above sea level. This region is hosted by uplifted sea floor sedimentary rocks with some intrusions
and metamorphic rocks. There is no wet or monsoon season. Rather, rainfall occurs steadily all year round.
Annual rainfall can easily exceed 10,000 mm and low magnitude earthquakes are frequently experienced.
High magnitude earthquakes occur much less frequently, although the latest was a devastating magnitude
7.5 earthquake that occurred in Hela Province on 26 February 2018.
The smaller outer islands are topographically flatter, although locally high peaks of over 500 m above sea
level are still quite common. The region is seismically active and receives in the order of 5,000 mm annual
rainfall. However, rainfall usually occurs in the form of high intensity thunderstorms. The climate is very hot

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and seismic regions of Papua New Guinea

and humid and these islands comprise a combination of volcanics and some sedimentary rocks. Much of
the waste rock mined is subject to rapid weathering upon exposure to the atmosphere.
Mining is a major industry in PNG and large open pit mines have been constructed with excavated slope
heights ranging from 300 to 1,000 m.
Open pit mine slopes are designed with a serviceable life of no more than 10 to 20 years (Bar et al. 2014).
As such, predicted and well-managed slope failures or landslides are usually considered acceptable.
Waste rock and low-grade ore are often placed in rockfill dumps and stockpiles which range in heights from
50 to over 300 m as shown in Figure 1. Most dumps and stockpiles have a similar serviceable life to mine
slopes; however, some are even designed to be ‘erodible’ or ‘failing’ dumps whereby the rate of erosion or
failures is effectively equal to the dumping advance rate.
Rugged foundation terrain, poor foundation material, high rainfall, and seismic activity facilitate high
deformations and frequent landslide activity on rockfill dumps and stockpiles in Papua New Guinea.
This paper uses case studies from various mines in PNG to demonstrate the complexities and challenges of
rockfill dump and stockpile construction and management.

(a) (b)
Figure 1 Vancouver rockfill dump (Ok Tedi copper–gold mine): top-down construction extending
outward with a 300 m high tip-head. (a) Aerial view; (b) View near dump base

1.1 Vancouver rockfill dump, Ok Tedi copper–gold mine

Vancouver rockfill dump is the largest dump constructed at Ok Tedi copper–gold mine (Figure 1). The dump
site was selected within a large, steep gully that both deepens and widens downslope (i.e. as the dump
advances outward, the dump height increases). Average annual rainfall at the dump site is approximately
10,000 mm.
The dump foundation is a combination of colluvium, debris from historic landslide events, and riverine
sediments overlaying fresh limestone bedrock. Due to the rugged topography, no form of foundation
preparation was economically feasible.
When originally considered as a feasible dumping location, Vancouver rockfill dump was envisaged to be an
‘erodible’ dump (Fisher et al. 2003) with quite limited capacity associated with frequent instabilities and
remediation work.
Material placed in the dump was mostly coarse, fresh limestone rock.

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Several crest or tip-head instabilities have occurred since construction commenced in 2011, causing
troublesome but manageable delays to operations. On average, it could be said that signs of instability are
detected on a weekly basis.
However, the rockfill dump in its entirety has been constructed and remains stable. The tip-head crest has
since advanced outward from the in situ starting point by over 270 m, averaging about 50 m per year. The
tip-head height ranges from 150 m at the sides to 385 m in the middle. The dump currently contains almost
two million cubic metres of rockfill.
An additional risk associated with the dump is its proximity to the historic Vancouver landslide (Read &
Maconochie 1992).
Near-real time monitoring, twice-daily inspections by geotechnical engineers and remote controlled
bulldozers are just some of the control measures used to manage instability risks at Vancouver rockfill
dump.

1.2 Kapit North stockpile, Lihir gold mine

Kapit North stockpile is not the largest stockpile at Lihir gold mine, but it is one that presents a unique risk
(Figure 2) including impact to road networks and mine infrastructure at the base of the stockpile.
It is founded on a layer of weak colluvium (5–20+ m thick) and the foundation topography increases in
steepness from 5° at the base to about 30° at the top of the designed stockpile.
The stockpile contains low-grade ore that is periodically reclaimed (i.e. loading and unloading). It has been
under construction for over a decade and will remain in use for several years to come.
Material placed in the stockpile is a combination of relatively weak to medium strong rock and highly
weathered to decomposed rock. These materials are often also are susceptible to further deterioration
from weathering processes.
Stockpile construction has involved the removal of topsoil for foundation preparation; however, the
underlying weak colluvium remains. Freshwater under-drains have also been constructed at major creeks
to reduce water ingress into the stockpile and reduce the likelihood of pore pressure build-up.
No major instabilities have occurred at the stockpile. Monitoring instrumentation indicates the dump is
both settling and creeping seaward.

(a) (b)
Figure 2 Kapit North stockpile (Lihir Island): bottom-up construction. Current height: 110 m; final height:
190 m. (a) Aerial view; (b) Upper levels and foundation preparation for next lift

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and seismic regions of Papua New Guinea

1.3 Neikywe waste rock dump, Hidden Valley gold–silver mine

Neikywe waste rock dump is one of the main dumps of Hidden Valley gold–silver mine, designed to
accommodate a large volume of waste rock during the life-of-mine. Waste dump allocation at Hidden
Valley is challenging due to the topographically elevated setting and limited practical area for a dump
footprint. The selection of the Neikywe dump location was strategic in terms of cost and engineering for
the Hidden Valley operation to ensure ongoing mining, effective management of waste rock and optimise
volume of waste from the pits. The dump is located about 460 m north of the main Hidden Valley and
Kaveroi pits.
Hidden Valley receives approximately 3,000 mm of annual rainfall and Neikywe waste rock dump is located
at an elevation between 1,700 and 2,800 m above sea level in the forested terrain of the mine (Figure 3).
The terrain is characterised by valleys of steep dipping elevation profiles and active creeks. Surface water
management is key to maintaining the stability of the dump. The dump lifts are raised using paddock
dumping (i.e. are not end-tipped). The material is then dozed and mechanically compacted through
repetitive haulage cycles from Caterpillar 785 dump trucks to achieve a rockfill density in the order of
2,200 kg/m3 to improve stability.
The Neikywe dump is being constructed by bottom-up approach; however, access to the dump toe was first
constructed using a (top-down) ramp on shallow-to-steep foundation profile angle ranging from 15° to
about 40° between 2,500 and 2,126 m above sea level. The early stage top-down construction approach
enabled access to the dump toe to develop a 45 m high engineered buttress and underdrain infrastructure.
The dump is confined in the valley and founded on a 2 to 30 m thick colluvium deposit, which overlies
weathered granodiorite.

(a) (b)
Figure 3 Neikywe waste rock dump (Hidden Valley gold–silver mine); bottom-up construction. (a) Dump
toe locked into natural valley from historic creek; (b) Upper levels (10 m high lifts)

Waste rock for the dump is sourced from the Hidden Valley and Kaveroi open pits and comprises
weathered and altered granodiorite with relatively high clay content and oxidised metasediments including
weak and friable schists. Potentially acid forming rocks are encapsulated by non-acid forming layers to
meet environmental requirements.
Construction management generally involves placing material in a sequence to create free-draining beds
that prevent pore pressure building and improve stability. Vibrating wire piezometers are used to monitor
water levels and pore pressure during successive dump lifts.
Deformations are monitored with survey prisms and indicate in the order of 100 mm of creep and
settlement are observed per year.
Surface water drainage management and maintenance are key controls for managing short-term stability
and the serviceability of haulage ramps.

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1.4 Moscow erodible dump, Ok Tedi copper–gold mine

Moscow erodible dump is shown in Figure 4 alongside Harvey Creek rockfill dump. For context, the Harvey
Creek rockfill dump tip-head is approaching 300 m at the highest point, and the flow path continuously
generated from Moscow erodible dump is in excess of 600 m.
Under normal operating conditions, the Moscow erodible dump does not advance outward. Rather,
material is dumped up to 30 m away from the tip-head crest and is then pushed over the crest using
remote controlled bulldozers as shown in Figure 4. This material essentially flows down the slope into
Harvey Creek with effectively no accumulation of the dump face, or advance of the tip-head.
The foundation is a very steep cliff (≥60°) in some parts of the dumping location and gradually reducing to
about 30° near the base where it meets Harvey Creek. The foundation originally had a similar composition
to that of Vancouver rockfill dump; however, with decades of dumping and erosion, it is likely that most of
the foundation, particularly in the upper parts of Moscow erodible dump are now fresh bedrock, typically
limestone and siltstone.
Rainfall at Harvey Creek and Moscow dumps is on average 10% more than at Vancouver rockfill dump
(Bar et al. 2014). The consistently high rainfall persuades material to erode from the tip-head. However, in
some instances, a high amount of fines, and even clay content in the rockfill can locally ‘hold together’ and
permit the tip-head to advance outward several metres. If unmonitored or unknown, this can pose a
significant threat to equipment and personnel on the tip-head. Such instances result in rapid-failure, usually
during or after rainfall events.
Control measures used to minimise risk are similar to those at Vancouver rockfill dump.

Figure 4 Moscow erodible dump (Ok Tedi copper–gold mine); clockwise from left: Harvey Creek rockfill
dump (lower-left) and Moscow erodible dump (upper-right); Moscow tip-head; example of
standard operational procedures: remote control bulldozer operator at Moscow erodible dump
tip-head pushing material from up to 30 m behind the crest

2 WSRHC system (waste dump and stockpile stability rating and

hazard classification)
Rockfill dumps and stockpiles can be categorised using the WSRHC system initially developed by Hawley
(2000) and recently updated by Hawley & Cunning (2017).
The WSRHC system is based on a collation of data obtained from surveys of various waste dumps and
stockpiles and aims to provide guidance on the suggested level of effort required for site investigations and
characterisation, analysis and design, construction and operational risk management. The WSRHC system

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and seismic regions of Papua New Guinea

utilises a combination of an engineering geology index (EGI) and a design and performance index (DPI) to
derive a waste dump and stockpile stability rating (WSR). EGI is determined by considering:
• Regional setting: seismicity and precipitation.
• Foundation conditions: foundation slope and shape, overburden type and thickness, undrained
failure potential, foundation liquefaction potential, bedrock and groundwater.
• Material quality: gradation, intact strength and durability, material liquefaction potential and
chemical stability.
DPI is determined by considering:
• Geometry and mass: height, slope angle, volume and mass.
• Stability analysis: static and dynamic stability.
• Construction: construction method and loading rate.
• Performance: stability performance.
WSR is then obtained with the summation of EGI and DPI.
Five waste dump and stockpile hazard classes (WHC) from WHC I (very low hazard) to WHC V (very high
hazard) can be assigned depending on the EGI and DPI as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5 Waste dump and stockpile stability and hazard chart illustrating the 1991–2013 surveys by Hawley
& Cunning (2017) and the rockfill dumps & stockpiles from various mines in Papua New Guinea

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It is evident that the rockfill dumps and stockpiles from the mines in PNG are much higher risk than those in
the remainder of the 1991–2013 database by Hawley & Cunning (2017). Key factors in the higher risk
profile of rockfill dumps and stockpiles in PNG are:
• Low DPI arising from top-down construction or end-dumping into steep valleys as is the case for
Vancouver, Harvey Creek and Moscow dumps. These result in WHC IV (high hazards) to WHC V
(very high hazards).
• Low EGI in general due to regional setting, and in particular, an extremely low EGI for stockpiles
constructed on steep and weak foundation slopes. These typically result in WHC IV (high hazards).

3 Site investigations, analysis, design and reconciliation

This paper focuses on the practical (operational) management of rockfill dumps and stockpiles, rather than
the details of their design. However, for context, it is necessary to outline the level of rigour involved during
site investigations, analysis and design of these structures, typically rated as high to very high hazards.
Furthermore, it is imperative the readers understand that once construction commences, assumptions
made, or uncertainties remaining from the site investigations and the design process require validation or
reconciliation with both time and as construction stages progress.

3.1 Site investigations

Site investigations for rockfill dumps and stockpiles in PNG are generally almost as detailed as investigations
for the open pits themselves. Typically included are:
• Topographical surveys.
• Surface mapping of foundation slopes and material as well as understanding historic landslide
events.
• Mapping and understanding natural waterways to enable appropriate surface water diversion.
• Geophysical surveys to understand the general types of foundation material.
• Boreholes are often dual purpose, firstly for detailed ground characterisation and understanding
pre-construction groundwater, and secondly for the installation of monitoring instrumentation for
understanding subsurface deformation and pore pressures before, during and after construction.
• Laboratory testing of samples.
Another fundamental aspect of the site investigations is characterising rockfill material that will be used in
the dumps or stockpiles. In most cases, either blasted stocks or small existing rockfill dumps or stockpiles
are available. Site investigations typically comprise:
• Rockfill characterisation including intact material strength, particle size distributions, particle
shape, and porosity (Barton 2008; Barton & Kjaernsli 1981).
• In rare instances, bulk samples are gathered for laboratory testing.
• If available, back-analysing any existing failures within rockfill material.

3.2 Analysis and design

The level of analysis is often dependent on a combination of the level of risk and the amount of available
data. In most cases, static and pseudo-static analyses are carried out using two-dimensional (2D) limit
equilibrium (LEM) or finite element methods (FEM) to understand the Factor of Safety (FS) or critical
strength reduction factor (SRF) for the design.

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For complex, three-dimensional terrain and foundations, more rigorous 3D analysis is often required,
particularly when 2D analyses attain lower than desirable FS/SRF (Bar & Weekes 2017; Bar et al. 2019), as is
the case in Figure 6. Again, depending on the complexity of the problem, 3D analyses could range from
relatively simple limit equilibrium or finite element to more complex particle flow codes.
Tip-head stability is a material risk for mining equipment and understanding what conditions are required
to trigger instability are critical for improving safe operating practices. By way of example in Figure 7, LEM
and FEM are back-analyses of failure events at Vancouver rockfill dump. Such analysis results, in
conjunction with monitoring results, can then be used to develop crest stand-off distances.

Figure 6 Examples of stability models for Kapit North stockpile design where sliding on the weak
colluvium foundation (c’=10 kPa; ϕ’=30 ˚) was identified as the most plausible failure
mechanism; however, Factors of Safety indicate stable conditions aligning with industry
standard design acceptance criteria; Top-left: 2D LEM FS = 1.22 (GLE & Spencer method of
slices); Bottom-left: 2D FEM indicating maximum shear strain through colluvium with critical
SRF = 1.21; Right: 3D LEM FS > 1.3 (GLE and Spencer method of columns)

25 m

(a) (b)
Figure 7 Examples of tip-head stability models for Vancouver rockfill dump. (a) 2D LEM back-analysis of
failure induced by poor material quality comprising high fines (silts, clays and sands) content
within the rockfill; (b) 2D FEM back-analysis of failure induced by crest over-steepening with
deformations calibrated by monitoring results

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3.3 Reconciliation
Regular visual inspections of active rockfill dumps and stockpiles are critical for both identifying and
managing hazards as well as for reconciling assumptions made in the design. Moreover, when failures
occur, it is essential that both pre and post failure conditions are fully understood. As a result, a series of
checks and measurements are carried out on each inspection, and include but are not limited to:
• Horizontal distance from the dump crest to in situ foundation (to understand advance rates for
top-down construction).
• Dump crest and overall dump face angles.
• Dump crest length and curvature (usually through surveying but also qualitative – straight,
convex, concave or irregular).
• Visible signs of erosion on the dump crest, face or at the base of the dump resulting in
undercutting. Notes on any other signs of instability.
• Daily rainfall, cumulative rainfall (e.g. 2–5 day period) and rainfall intensity (millimetres per hour).
• Foundation material type and quality.
• Completion or otherwise of prescribed foundation preparation.
• Effectiveness of surface water drainage measures.
• Dumped material quality (both qualitatively and detailed rockfill characterisation).
• Long-term deformation and pore pressure data (although this is not usually recorded on a routine
inspection).
• Regular verification that risk control measures are both in place and effective.
Depending on the level of risk and activity at a particular tip-head, inspections may be undertaken weekly
or even multiple times per day as is standard practice at Ok Tedi copper–gold mine. This results in a very
large volume of data that requires storage and ease-of-access. Bar et al. (2018) discuss data management
challenges and initiatives that have been applied in PNG to facilitate this.
Understanding the triggers or precursors to failures, particularly at dump tip-heads, is fundamental in
implementing effective construction and operational risk management strategies.

4 Construction and operational risk management strategies

4.1 Top-down construction methodology

Top-down construction is used for many rockfill dumps and stockpiles in PNG (e.g. Vancouver, Harvey Creek
and Moscow in the case studies discussed earlier).
Since the tip-head heights are very large, material segregation caused by gravity occurs, typically allowing
coarser material to settle at the base of the dump, and finer material to remain closer to the crest.
As mentioned previously, a higher concentration of fines near the crest, some over-steepening, and high
rainfall facilitates frequent tip-head or dump crest failures.
In order to maintain continuous operability with frequent instabilities, a top-down construction dump is
separated into individual tip-heads that operate almost independently. That way, if cracking, slumping or
other signs of instability occur on one, the other tip-head/s can remain operational while the unstable
tip-head is either remediated or is given time to settle or fail.
At Vancouver rockfill dump, for example, it has been found that if tip-heads are allowed to advance for
more than seven days in a single period, instability is likely to ensue. Managing the rate of crest advance

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and seismic regions of Papua New Guinea

has been a key control in maintaining routine operability at most of the top-down construction dumps and
stockpiles. On the contrary, when a crest instability has been realised at Vancouver rockfill dump, typically
the remediation strategy involves cutting the dump crest down by approximately 5 m up to a distance of
about 20 m from the crest (at least to the location where cracking has been identified).
Surface water management is critical for ensuring the base of the dump is not undercut and potentially
causing a larger instability.

4.2 Safety-critical control measures

Top-down construction with very high tip-heads naturally presents a very high risk.
Operational risk management strategies centre around removing the need for personnel to work near the
dump crest as illustrated in Figure 8. Haul trucks and other human-operated heavy equipment are kept a
significant distance away from the crest. That means material is dumped a significant distance away from
the crest and subsequently has to be pushed by a remote controlled bulldozer over the crest.
Yellow marker poles are established to provide haul truck operators a physical location to align their cabin
with and tip the waste (Figure 8).
An orange cone is used to demarcate the closest location a dump supervisor or remote controlled bulldozer
operator can be positioned under regular operating conditions.
In the case of Vancouver rockfill dump, yellow marker poles are installed 35 m from the crest of the
tip-head. Based on the length of the haul trucks used, this prevents the haul trucks from working within
30 m of the crest.
The dump tip-head work area is constructed at a 2% upward gradient to allow surface water to freely drain
away from the crest and towards concreted drains to minimise infiltration.
For high risk rockfill dumps such as Vancouver rockfill dump, the quality of material dumped is also
monitored. Poor quality material with high fines and clay content is diverted and sent to other, lower risk
dump areas.

Figure 8 Schematic illustrating typical process for dumping short and remote dozing to prevent
personnel near tip-head

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Since most instabilities are triggered by rainfall, detailed trigger action response plans (TARP) are in place to
manage, and where necessary cease, dumping operations at each individual rockfill dump.
Deformation monitoring instrumentation and groundwater monitoring are often also primary control
measures for managing safety risks on the rockfill dumps.
This process is endorsed by the Mineral Resource Authority of Papua New Guinea.

4.3 Monitoring
A diversity of slope and groundwater monitoring instruments and systems exists; ranging from
rudimentary, manual wire or tape extensometers, to highly sophisticated electronic equipment (Baczynski
& Bar 2017).
Rockfill dumps and stockpiles in PNG are typically monitored with an array of instrumentation to better
understand ground behaviour with the aim of reducing risk to people, equipment and the environment.
Surface deformation monitoring instrumentation on dumps and stockpiles can comprise an array of:
• Rudimentary manual wire or tape extensometers that are interrogated on each visual inspection.
• Wireline extensometers with audiovisual alarms, data loggers and telemetry systems (Slide
Minder) as shown in Figure 9.
• Survey prisms automatically surveyed using robotic total stations.
• Global positioning systems (GPS).
• Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR or satellite monitoring).
Subsurface monitoring typically involves the use of inclinometers, or a more automated substitute such as
shape-accel arrays, time-domain reflectometers or recently developed SMART markers with tilt sensors.
Pore pressures in the dump material or its foundation can be monitored using vibrating wire piezometers.
Both subsurface deformation and groundwater monitoring instrumentation can provide very early warning
of a potential problem compared with surface monitoring.
A combination of surface and subsurface monitoring is advisable to monitor for both short-term and
long-term instability risks.

(a) (b)
Figure 9 Monitoring the extension of a tension crack using: (a) Slide Minder and survey prisms; (b) GPS

5 Conclusion
Topographic, geologic and climatic conditions including high rainfall and seismicity in PNG set the scene for
rockfill dump and stockpile construction in areas with a very low EGI, and therefore, moderate to very high

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and seismic regions of Papua New Guinea

hazard ratings using the WSRHC system. The DPI varies substantially depending on the construction
practices used. Top-down construction onto steep foundations results in very high hazard ratings that need
effective control measures, key aspects of which have been described in this paper.
Irrespective of construction methods, the priority for rockfill dump and stockpile management in a high
rainfall and seismically active region is the safety of personnel operating on them, and the persons or
communities that may be affected should a major instability occur.
State-of-the-art surface and subsurface deformation monitoring and groundwater monitoring
instrumentation has been utilised in all cases for providing early warning for emerging hazards. Detailed
TARPs are used to ensure key stakeholders are promptly informed and know how to respond to a potential
threat.
Regular inspections (twice-daily in many cases) by geotechnical engineers, geotechnical hazard awareness
training and highly experienced operators permit hazards to be identified early, and in many cases, be
controlled or remediated before an instability occurs. This usually reduces delays to production.
Effectively managing surface water drainage is critical for all of the cases. For top-down construction,
managing the challenge of operational requirements and dump crest advance rates is often another critical
aspect for reducing the likelihood of instability (and further delays to production).

Acknowledgement
The authors acknowledge support from their colleagues at their respective mining operations; in particular:
Marisa Torombe, Priscilla Ipul, Paul Kuira, Chris Alickson, Sinaka Rea, Geyson Akore, Daniel Pohonu, Sonnia
Asamole, Gideon Tongri, Micheal Maima, Roberto Giglio, Juanito Asuro, Kaipale Pano, Simon Thomas,
Robert Parker and Norbert Baczynski.
The authors also thank Rocscience Inc. for their support with using their limit equilibrium (Slide and Slide3)
and finite element (RS2) analysis software.

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