Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
ABSTRACT: The ability to predict surface subsidence associated with block caving mining is important for
both environmental impact and operational hazard assessments. Use of numerical modelling provides an
opportunity to enhance understanding of the surface subsidence phenomenon and develop improved
methodologies for subsidence prediction. Previous numerical studies were primarily focused on site specific
predictive modelling. A conceptual modelling study employing combined continuum-discrete element method
is planned to investigate mechanisms governing subsidence development. As a necessary prerequisite for such a
study the analysis of potential modelling approaches is conducted. In a framework of combined continuum-
discrete element method there are three approaches to rock mass representation: equivalent continuum, discrete
network and mixed. Initial modelling illustrated that reasonable simulation of surface subsidence development
can be achieved using equivalent continuum and mixed approaches.
Table 2: Input parameters for ELFEN modelling. The rock mass begins to cave when the undercut
Parameter Unit
Int. Equivalent reaches 40m (hydraulic radius of 20m). However,
rock continuum continuous caving is achieved only when the
Rock mass undercut exceeds 80m (40m hydraulic radius).
Young’s Modulus, E GPa 60 18 Assuming that MRMR≈0.9RMR (Flores &
Poisson’s ratio, ν 0.25 0.25 Karzulovic, 2002) the simulated phases of cave
Density, ρ kgm-3 3100 3100 initiation shown in Figure 5 can be plotted on
Tensile strength, σt MPa 10 0.33 Laubscher’s caveability chart - see Figure 6. Close
Fracture energy, Gf Jm-2
63 63 agreement is observed with empirical observations.
Internal cohesion, ci MPa 15 0.3
At the end of the undercutting the cave back
extends as far as 60 m above the undercut floor
Internal friction, φi degrees 60 35
causing formation of a stepped depression at the
Dilation, ψ degrees 9 9
surface, with the maximum subsidence of 0.7m
Preinserted or newly generated fractures above the center of the undercut.
Fracture cohesion, cf MPa 0 Figure 7 shows the development of surface
Fracture friction, φf degrees 35 subsidence during ore extraction. The cave back
Normal penalty, Pn GPa/m 1 reached the surface at about 17% of ore extraction,
Tangential penalty, P t GPa/m 0.1 as shown in Figure 7a. Continuing extraction of the
In-situ stress ratio, K 1 ore resulted in formation of the subsidence crater as
shown in Figure 7b. Deepening of the crater leads to
gradual collapse of the crater’s walls through model shown in Figure 7c is 56˚, which appears to be
toppling and rotational failures. The final surface reasonable for a rock mass with RMR 60. The
profile at full ore extraction is shown in Figure 7c. minimum angle of fracture initiation for the same
model is 50˚ and the maximum extent of the zone of
100
stable zone transition
influence (with the assumption of critical settlement
90
zone threshold of 5mm) is 110m.
caving Overall, initial results of modelling of block
80
Equivalent continuum
zone
caving mining using an equivalent continuum
approach approach appear to be reasonable. The model was
Modified Rock Mass Rating (MRMR)
70
able to capture the salient features of the caving
60 process and surface subsidence development.
50
c).