Rapid drawdown in earth and rockfill dams is modelled in Rocscience’s Slide2 by separating gradual, fully transient seepage analyses from a dedicated Rapid Drawdown option that embeds hydrogeologic assumptions directly into limit equilibrium slope stability. Engineers can define initial and final water tables, including partial drawdown lines, and apply four established methods – Effective Stress (B-bar), Duncan–Wright–Wong (1990), USACE (1970) two-stage and Lowe–Karafiath (1960) – to estimate post-drawdown pore pressures and factors of safety. The B-bar approach allows material-specific drainage behaviour to be varied, supporting sensitivity studies where low-permeability cores retain elevated pore pressures after reservoir lowering.

Machine Logic’s Asset Monitoring Tool (AMT) is giving mine operators real-time visibility of operational technology by tagging and tracking individual vehicles, fixed plant and field devices across complex networks. The browser-based interface aggregates data from PLCs, SCADA systems and industrial switches, allowing technicians to pinpoint failed nodes, misconfigured VLANs or offline assets within seconds instead of manually tracing cables. For brownfield sites with legacy control hardware, AMT reduces unplanned downtime and simplifies fault-finding during network changes, equipment moves and expansion projects.

Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe has signed an agreement to factory-fit Trimble Earthworks 3D grade control on its excavators sold across Europe, creating a single-source purchase, training and support route for machine control. Qualifying Hitachi dealers will also supply Trimble WorksManager, enabling remote transfer of construction-ready 3D models, fleet-wide device management and offsite troubleshooting between office and site. The deal signals deeper integration of digital grade control into standard excavator offerings, reducing aftermarket retrofit complexity for contractors adopting precision earthworks workflows.