Glossary
Glossary
Definitions of common OptimalSlope, slope design, and simulation terms used throughout the manual.
Geometry terms
Terms related to imported sections, slope shape, and design geometry.
Crest point
The upper starting location of the slope profile. Its position affects the OSA search region and the generated slope geometry.
Toe
The lower end of the slope profile where the slope meets the lower ground or design boundary.
Bench
A stepped part of the slope geometry, usually defined by bench height, bench face angle, berm width, and number of benches.
Berm
The horizontal or near-horizontal platform between bench faces.
Slope profile
The 2D line or polyline representing the slope geometry being analysed or optimised.
Simulation terms
Terms related to simulation inputs, optimisation, and results.
FoS
Factor of Safety. A measure used in slope stability analysis to compare resisting forces against driving forces.
OSA
Overall Slope Angle. In OptimalSlope, Min/Max OSA values define the search range used to explore possible slope profiles.
OSA search region
The triangular region shown in the section preview where the optimiser searches for the optimal slope profile.
Optimized profile
The slope profile estimated by the optimiser after running the simulation and evaluating candidate geometries.
Failure mechanism
The potential failure path or mechanism considered during slope stability analysis.
Data and export terms
Terms related to input files, geometry models, and downstream workflows.
DXF
A drawing exchange format used to import section geometry, stratigraphy, and exported slope profiles into other engineering tools.
Stratigraphy
The geological layer model used to define material regions and generate sections.
Block model
A 3D grid of blocks used to represent material, geometry, or simulation result attributes such as slope angle.
Local XY export
A DXF export option where the section is flattened onto the XY plane. This is useful for workflows that require 2D geometry, such as RS2.
ADDMOD
A Datamine function used to combine model data, for example adding OptimalSlope slope-angle output to an existing block model.