Sem Resumo

This paper delas with instrumentation in Rock Mechanics and the methods used to monitor the behaviour of rock slopes in open pit mining. The paper analises the techniques of these methods and includes a classification of monitoring methods on a rational basis according to their Amin characteristics. In the first part the criteria for the design of a monitoring system are analised with emphasis on the following aspects: - Safety verification of the design concepts economy Also discussed are the main characteristics of the different types of instruments used in the field of rock mechanics, such as their working principals, the influence of the environmental conditions, etc. In attempting a broad review of techniques it was found to be impossible to give full details relevant to each item of equipment, or to supplement the text with case histories, therefore, the discussion is limited to their principal characteristics only. Finally the planning and design of an instrumentation system is provided together with an estimate of the cost involved, subdivided in those parts: purchase, installation, operation and analysis of the results.