Analysis of Stress-Strain States in the Vicinity of Mining Excavations in a Rock Mass with Variable Mechanical Properties

Marek Jendryś, Stanisław Duży and Grzegorz Dyduch
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Marek Jendryś: Department of Geomechanics and Underground Construction, Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering and Industrial Automation, Silesian University of Technology, ul. Akademicka 2, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Stanisław Duży: Department of Geomechanics and Underground Construction, Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering and Industrial Automation, Silesian University of Technology, ul. Akademicka 2, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Grzegorz Dyduch: Department of Geomechanics and Underground Construction, Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering and Industrial Automation, Silesian University of Technology, ul. Akademicka 2, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 21, 1-15

Abstract: Rock mass is a medium created through processes that have lasted over four billion years, and its intrinsic feature is the variability of the parameters that describe it. A particularly high variability of mechanical parameters is observed in Carboniferous sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. The mechanical properties, especially the rock mass strength, are essential for the design and maintenance of the stability of excavations conducted in it and for the safe conduct of mining operations. This article presents the test results confirming the random variability of the mechanical parameters of the rock mass. The second part of the article presents the results of numerical simulations mapping the Carboniferous rock mass along with a 1000 m deep tunnel excavation protected by steel arch supports. Numerical simulations were carried out for models with different variability coefficients of strength and deformation parameters, and the obtained results were analyzed in terms of damage zones and rock mass stress state as well as axial forces in the modelled supports. The results of the simulation demonstrate the impact of the variability of rock mass properties on its state in the vicinity of the excavation and, consequently, on the internal forces in the steel supports and their uneven loading along the length of the excavation. This fact should be taken into account in their design.

Keywords: rock mass properties; numerical modeling; rock mass stability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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