2265 Identifying the Prone Zones to Initiation of Rockburst by Numerical Simulation of Mining Pillars under Compression

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/

Abstract

Unstable rock failure or rock bursting is one of the most dangerous problems in deep hard rock mines. This type of failure that occurs uncontrollably is associated with a significant release of strain energy from the surrounding rock. In this study, the numerical simulation of unstable rock failure was carried out using the finite difference method (FLAC3D) to identify the onset and location of unstable failure events in the model. On this basis, a numerical simulation of mine pillars with width to height ratios of 0.5, 2 and 3 was performed. A criterion was developed, based on the calculation of the elastic strain energy,  to determine the prone areas for the initiation of rockburst in the models. The results of this study showed that in softer loading systems, due to large amounts of stored elastic strain energy, an unstable equilibrium is established, which leads to the rapid transfer of strain energy to the rock in the form of violent failure. It was also found that the unstable failure starts at the corners and free surface of the model and then extends to its depth. The new criterion developed in this study helps predict the occurrence of rock bursts in deep underground mines and design pillars to control human and financial losses caused by this phenomenon.

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Published

2026-01-19

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Section

Papers of General Interest