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Modelling of primary fragmentation in block caving mines using a finite-element based fracture mechanics approach
- Source :
- Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources. 3:121-130
- Publication Year :
- 2017
- Publisher :
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2017.
-
Abstract
- The growth of fractures around an undercut of a block cave is simulated. A finite element based approach is used, in which fractures are represented as non-planar 3D surfaces that grow in response to boundary stresses and interaction. A new mesh is recreated at each step to compute the displacement field. Stress intensity factors are computed around fracture tips using a technique that computes the interaction integral over a virtual disk. Fracture geometry is updated using Paris and Schöllmann propagation laws, and a geometric fracture pattern ensues from the simulation. The growth of fractures is examined in the lower 20 m of a mine at 812 m depth. The growth of 30, 60 and 90 fractures is examined. Realistic extraction schedules for over 100 draw points control the rate of mass extraction. The effect of rock bridges as overburden stress shields is investigated. Bridges are modelled by constraining the vertical displacement of the top boundary. This case is compared to a Neumann-type overburden stress boundary condition in which the overburden is felt throughout the top of the cave. In both cases, fractures grow to form a dome shape above and around the cave during extraction. For the case of a fixed top boundary, fracture growth is observed away from the cave, while in the direct overburden stress case, fractures tend to grow close to the cave. Over-arching fractures concentric to the undercut continue to grow as the cave progresses.
- Subjects :
- Technology
Engineering
SOLIDS
0211 other engineering and technologies
Caving
Fracture propagation
02 engineering and technology
MESHES
010502 geochemistry & geophysics
01 natural sciences
Primary fragmentation
Finite element
Cave
Geotechnical engineering
Engineering, Geological
Vertical displacement
Boundary value problem
Stress intensity factor
021101 geological & geomatics engineering
0105 earth and related environmental sciences
geography
Science & Technology
geography.geographical_feature_category
business.industry
Stress intensity factors
Fracture mechanics
Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
Overburden pressure
INTEGRAL METHOD
Overburden
General Energy
Geophysics
Displacement field
GROWTH
Economic Geology
business
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 23638427 and 23638419
- Volume :
- 3
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....a0eebbe30336480e22c091b3a20b5937
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s40948-016-0048-9