21 - Stress Analysis in Mine Design

Abstract

This chapter presents various methods by which it is possible to estimate the stress concentrations, stress shadows, and structure performance that occur in a complex excavation sequence such as that encountered in mine design. The analysis of mine structures poses many difficult problems to the designer hoping to obtain quantitative rather than simply qualitative information about the stress distribution in the rock surrounding the mine excavations. The mine can be incredibly complex in its configuration of stopes, pillars, drives, and shafts, with the overall system acting in a three-dimensional rather than a two-dimensional manner. The stress analysis problems associated with each type of ore body are quite different and thus, different techniques of analysis should be used. It is usual to divide the area surrounding the mine excavations into two regions. The first, the near field, is adjacent to the excavations and is usually the area of interest to the designer. The second, the far field, is remote from the excavation and, as opposed to the near field, represents that region where the response of the rock is essentially elastic.