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Evaluating 2D and 3D slope stability in a complex open-pit mine: a CAD-based numerical study
Mohammad-Taghi Hamzaban1, Samaneh Kanoundoust2, Roozbeh Geraili Mikola3
1Mining Engineering Faculty, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, Iran. hamzaban@sut.ac.ir.
Scientific Reports
|June 19, 2026
Summary
Three-dimensional (3D) slope stability analysis is crucial for open-pit mines. This study shows 3D modeling accurately predicts failure mechanisms, unlike 2D analyses, improving safety and design in complex geological conditions.
Area of Science:
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Computational Geomechanics
Background:
- Accurate slope stability assessment is vital for safe and economical open-pit mine operations, particularly in complex geological and hydrological settings.
- Traditional two-dimensional (2D) analyses often fail to capture the true failure mechanisms in three-dimensional (3D) environments.
- The Sungun open-pit copper mine in Iran presents a case study for evaluating these analytical methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comprehensive comparison between 2D and 3D slope stability analyses for the Sungun open-pit copper mine.
- To evaluate the accuracy of 2D analyses in representing 3D failure mechanisms.
- To highlight the importance of 3D numerical modeling in mining engineering.
Main Methods:
- Development of a detailed 3D geological model using Rhinoceros and Griddle, incorporating pit geometry, geotechnical domains, and groundwater levels.
- Generation of a hexahedral mesh for FLAC3D simulations based on the 3D model.
- Extraction of multiple 2D cross-sections from the 3D model for comparative FLAC analyses in various orientations.
- Validation of 3D model results against field observations of slope deformation and tension cracks.
Main Results:
- The 3D model predicted a rotational failure mechanism with a global safety factor (FS3D) of 1.285, consistent with field observations.
- Comparative 2D analyses yielded a wide range of safety factors (FS2D: 1.04–4.11) depending on section orientation and location.
- No single 2D section accurately captured the geometry and extent of the 3D failure surface, although North-South sections showed better correlation.
Conclusions:
- Sole reliance on 2D slope stability analyses can lead to significant uncertainties in the design of open-pit mines, especially in complex geological settings.
- Three-dimensional numerical modeling, integrated with CAD-based geometry management, provides more reliable slope stability assessments.
- Adopting 3D modeling is crucial for enhancing safety and minimizing design uncertainties in large-scale mining projects.
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