Multiphysics Coupling Effects on Slope Deformation in Jiangte Xikeng Lithium Deposit Open-Pit Mining
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Engineering Geological Features
2.1. Engineering Geological Conditions of the Mine Area
2.2. Geological Structures of the Mine Area
3. Three-Dimensional Slope Stability Analysis
3.1. Slope Zoning
3.2. Determination of Physical and Mechanical Parameters
3.3. Calculation Model and Boundary Conditions
3.4. Results and Analysis
3.4.1. Analysis of Slope Deformation and Failure Characteristics
3.4.2. Slope Rainfall Seepage Simulation
3.4.3. Slope Structure Parameter Optimization
4. Conclusions
- (1)
- The stratigraphic distribution in the Xikeng Lithium Mine area is relatively simple. The artificial fill primarily consists of strongly weathered granite fragments, gravelly and sandy granite, with minor amounts of sandy soil-like granite. The colluvium is mainly composed of sandy clay with rock debris, occasionally containing gravel, coarse sandy clay, or interbedded spheroidal weathered bodies. Structural development in the area is not significant, with two principal fault sets that have not caused any notable damage to the ore body. The F01 fault has a strike of 137° and a dip of 75° and is mainly characterized by silicification and fragmentation. The fault zone is narrow with significant variability; it contains abundant fracture fillings, exhibits small openings, and has poor permeability and water-bearing capacity. The F02 fault, with a strike of 113° and a dip of 60°, comprises a series of parallel and densely spaced compressive shear fractures. This fault zone displays relatively good permeability but similarly poor water-bearing capacity.
- (2)
- The open-pit slope is divided into eight zones, with the predominant failure modes being circular and compound failures. Based on the degree of weathering, the rocks are classified into four types: slightly weathered, moderately weathered, heavily weathered, and fully weathered. With increasing weathering, parameters such as rock density and strength gradually decline.
- (3)
- Slope stability analyses were performed under the combined effects of self-weight, seismic forces, and rainfall. The results indicate that under all load scenarios, the most critical zones for slope stability are near the slope crests in Zones F and I. These areas require local optimization or the addition of structural support. Following the accumulation of the No. 1 waste dump on the western side of the site, the displacement in the K zone slope increases significantly, highlighting the need for enhanced safety monitoring in this area.
- (4)
- Under a daily rainfall of 300 mm, the mechanical response analysis after 24 h of rainfall shows that infiltration has a limited impact on the open-pit slopes under heavy rain conditions. For a specific profile in Zone F, the overall slope angle of rock layers and the local slope angle of soil layers were optimized. The recommended slope angles are 42° for rock masses and 27° for soil layers. Other profiles may be optimized based on site-specific conditions during the mining process.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Geotechnical Layer | Dry Density ρd/(g/cm3) | Wet Density ρ/(g/cm3) | Cohesion c/kPa | Friction Angle φ/° |
---|---|---|---|---|
Completely Weathered Granite | 1.51 | 1.75 | 143.00 | 24.00 |
Rock Classification | Water Absorption ω/% | Wet Density frk/g/cm3 | Natural Compressive Strength frk/MPa | Elastic Modulus Eav/GPa | Cohesion c/MPa | Friction Angle φ/° | Poisson’s Ratio μ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Highly Weathered Granite | 2.06 | 2.50 | 23.32 | 7.54 | 8.33 | 47.58 | 0.28 |
Moderately Weathered Granite | 0.44 | 2.56 | 74.49 | 13.62 | 19.78 | 49.72 | 0.34 |
Slightly Weathered Granite | 0.29 | 2.59 | 106.12 | 15.51 | 21.60 | 51.60 | 0.32 |
Profile | Loading Combination | Safety Factor | Specification Value | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bishop Method | M-P Method | Optional Value | |||
Profile X in Zone F | I | 1.373 | 1.376 | 1.373 | Loading combination I: 1.25; Loading combination II: 1.23 |
II | 1.306 | 1.308 | 1.306 |
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Yin, Y.; Yu, Z.; Wen, J.; Gan, F.; Shu, C. Multiphysics Coupling Effects on Slope Deformation in Jiangte Xikeng Lithium Deposit Open-Pit Mining. Processes 2025, 13, 1686. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13061686
Yin Y, Yu Z, Wen J, Gan F, Shu C. Multiphysics Coupling Effects on Slope Deformation in Jiangte Xikeng Lithium Deposit Open-Pit Mining. Processes. 2025; 13(6):1686. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13061686
Chicago/Turabian StyleYin, Yongming, Zhengxing Yu, Jinglin Wen, Fangzhi Gan, and Couxian Shu. 2025. "Multiphysics Coupling Effects on Slope Deformation in Jiangte Xikeng Lithium Deposit Open-Pit Mining" Processes 13, no. 6: 1686. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13061686
APA StyleYin, Y., Yu, Z., Wen, J., Gan, F., & Shu, C. (2025). Multiphysics Coupling Effects on Slope Deformation in Jiangte Xikeng Lithium Deposit Open-Pit Mining. Processes, 13(6), 1686. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13061686