Abstract

Fractures around excavations in hard, fine-grained, brittle rock sometimes display unique patterns from which an interpretation of the manner of failure/fracture propagation can be made. Igneous rock fragments from a strain-burst event at a site in Western Australia have been studied under a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) in order to characterize their surficial features. SEM image analysis indicates that anisotropy, a contrast in geomechanical properties, geometry and contact patterns present at the micro-scale as they do at the large mine/drive scale. It is proposed that these micro-scale features can lead to anisotropic material behaviour and stress concentrations that manifest as strain-burst events.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.