• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.783-799
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• 2015

In this study, effect of horizontal in situ stress on failure mechanism around underground openings excavated in isotropic, elastic rock zones is investigated. For estimating the plastic zone occurrence, an induced stress influence area approach (Bray Equations) was modified to define critical stress ratio according to the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion. Results obtained from modified calculations were compared with results of some other analytical solutions for plastic zone thickness estimation and the numerical modelling (finite difference method software, FLAC2D) study. Plastic zone and its geometry around tunnels were analyzed for different in situ stress conditions. The modified equations gave similar results with those obtained from the other approaches. However, safer results were calculated using the modified equations for high in situ stress conditions and excessive ratio of horizontal to vertical in situ stresses. As the outcome of this study, the modified equations are suggested to use for estimating the plastic zone occurrence and its thickness around the tunnels with circular cross-section.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.17-28
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• 2011

This paper presents an analytical solution for steady state flow into a close-ended cylindrical permeameter. The soil medium is considered to be uniform, isotropic, and of infinite thickness. Laplace equation is solved by considering rotational symmetry and by using curvilinear coordinates obtained from conformal mapping. The deduced shape factors, which are compared to approximate relationships obtained from both numerical and physical modelling, and idealizations involving ellipsoidal cavities, are proposed for use in field measurements. It is shown that some of the shape factors obtained are significantly different from published values and show a much higher dependence of the rate of flow on the aspect ratio, than deduced from approximate solutions.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.195-205
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• 2015

Barricade failures generally occur at the early times of paste backfill when it is fresh in the stopes. The backfill strength increases and need for barricading pressure decreases as a result of the hydration reactions. In this study, paste backfill barricades of Cayeli copper mine were investigated to design cemented mineral processing plant tailings as barricade body concrete. Paste backfill in sub-level caving stopes of the mine needs to be barricaded for only four or five days. Therefore, short term strength and workability tests were applied on several cemented tailings material designs. Barricade failure mechanisms, important points of barricade designing and details of the new concrete material are explained in this work. According to the results obtained with this experimental study, the tailings were assessed to be used in concrete applied as temporary supports such as cemented paste backfill barricades.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.397-414
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• 2015

Three different applications for monitoring displacements in underground structures using a BOTDR-based distributed optical fiber strain sensing system are presented. These applications are related to the strain measurements of (1) instrumented PVC tube designed to be attached to tunnel side wall and ceiling as a sensor; (2) rock bolts for tunnels; and (3) shotcrete lining under loading. The effectiveness of using the proposed strain sensing system is evaluated by carrying out laboratory tests, in-situ measurements, and numerical simulations. The results obtained from this validation process provide confidence that the optical fiber is able to quantify strain fields under a variety of loading conditions and consequently use this information to estimate the behavior of rock mass during mining activity. As the measuring station can be located as far as 1 km of distance, these alternatives presented may increase the safety of the mine during mining process and for the personnel doing the measurements on the field.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.157-164
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• 2019

The effect of electrochemical modification of the physical and mechanical properties of sandstone from Paleozoic coal measure strata was investigated by means of liquid nitrogen physical adsorption, X-ray diffraction and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) tests using purified water, 1 mol/L NaCl, 1 mol/L $CaCl_2$ and 1 mol/L $AlCl_3$ aqueous solution as electrolytes. Electrochemical corrosion of electrodes and wire leads occurred mainly in the anodic zone. After electrochemical modification, pore morphology showed little change in distribution, decrease in total pore specific surface area and volume, and increased average pore diameter. The total pore specific surface area in the anodic zone was greater than in the cathodic zone, but total pore volume was less. Mineralogical composition was unchanged by the modification. Changes in UCS were caused by a number of factors, including corrosion, weakening by aqueous solutions, and electrochemical cementation, and electrochemical cementation stronger than corrosion and weakening by aqueous solutions.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.471-482
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• 2018

A flat-jointed bonded-particle model (BPM) has been proved to be an effective tool for simulating mechanical behaviours of intact rocks. However, the tedious and time-consuming calibration procedure imposes restrictions on its widespread application. In this study, a systematic approach is proposed for simplifying the calibration procedure. The initial relationships between the microscopic, constitutive parameters and macro-mechanical rock properties are firstly determined through dimensionless analysis. Then, sensitivity analyses and regression analyses are conducted to quantify the relationships, using results from numerical simulations. Finally, four examples are used to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed systematic approach for the calibration procedure of BPMs.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2020

This paper presents an investigation of the ground response of a gob-side gateroad suffering mining stress induced by a 21 m-thick coal seam extraction. A field observation, including entry convergence and stress changes monitoring, was first conducted in the tailgate 8209. The observation results of entry convergence showed that, during the adjacent panel 8210 retreating period, the deformation of the gob-side gateroad experienced a continuous increase stage, subsequently, an accelerating increase stage, and finally, a slow increase stage. However, strong ground response, including roof bending deflection, rib extrusion and floor heave, occurred during the current panel 8209 retreating period, and the maximum floor heave reached 1530 mm. The stress changes within coal mass of the two ribs demonstrated that the gateroad was always located in the stress concentrated area, which responsible for the strong response of the tailgate 8209. Subsequently, a hydraulic fracture technique was proposed to pre-fracture the two hard roofs above the tailgate 8209, thus decreasing the induced disturbance on the tailgate. The validity of the above roof treatment was verified via field application. The finding of this study could be a reference for understanding the stability control of the gob-side gateroad in extra thick coal seams mining.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.485-495
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• 2020

Based on the movement characteristics of overlying strata with gangue backfilling, the compression test of gangue is designed. The deformation characterristics of gangue is obtained based on the different Talbot index. The deformation has a logarithmic growth trend, including sharp deformation stage, linear deformation stage, rheological stage, and the resistance to deformation changes in different stages. The more advantageous Talbot gradation index is obtained to control the surface subsidence. On the basis of similarity simulation test with gangue backfilling, the characteristics of roof failure and the evolution of the supporting force are analyzed. In the early stage of gangue backfilling, beam structure damage directly occurs at the roof, and the layer is separated from the overlying rock. As the working face advances, the crack arch of the basic roof is generated, and the separation layer is closed. Due to the supporting effect of filling gangue, the stress concentration in gangue backfilling stope is relatively mild. Based on the equivalent mining height model of gangue backfilling stope, the relationship between full ratio and mining height is obtained. It is necessary to ensure that the gradation of filling gangue meets the Talbot distribution of n=0.5, and the full ratio meets the protection grade requirements of surface buildings.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.447-459
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• 2020

Based on the literature statistical method, the paper publication status of the isolated working face and the distribution of the rockburst coal mine were obtained. The numerical simulation method is used to study the stress distribution law of working face under different mining range. In addition, based on the similar material simulation test, the overlying strata failure modes and the deformation characteristics of coal pillars during the mining process of the isolated working face with thick-hard key strata are analyzed. The research shows that, under the influence of the key strata, the overlying strata formation above the isolated working face is a long arm T-type spatial structure. With the mining of the isolated working face, a series of damages occur in the coal pillars, causing the key strata to break and inducing the rockburst occurs. Combined with the mechanism of rockburst induced by the dynamic and static combined load, the source of dynamic and static load on the isolated working face is analyzed, and the rockburst monitoring methods and the prevention and control measures are proposed. Through the above research, the occurrence probability of rockburst can be effectively reduced, which is of great significance for the safe mining of deep coal mines.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.551-564
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• 2020

High-stress and complex geological conditions impose great challenges to maintain excavation stability during deep underground mining. In this research, large anisotropic deformation and its management by support system at a deep underground mine in Western Australia were simulated through three-dimensional finite-difference model. The ubiquitous-joint model was used and calibrated in FLAC3D to reproduce the deformation and failure characteristics of the excavation based on the field monitoring results. After modeling verification, the roles of mining depth also the intercept angle between excavation axis and foliation orientation on the deformation and damage were studied. Based on the results, quantitative relationships between key factors and damage classifications were presented, which can be used as an engineering tool. Subsequently, the performance of support system installation sequences was simulated and compared at four different scenarios. The results show that, first surface support and then reinforcement installation can obtain a better controlling effect. Finally, the influence of bolt spacing and ring spacing were also discussed. The outcomes obtained in this research may play a meaningful reference for facing the challenges in thin-bedded or foliated ground conditions.