Estimation of in situ viscoelastic parameters of weak floor strata by plate-loading tests

Abstract

This paper explores an approach to estimation of the viscoelastic parameters of weak floor strata using plate-loading tests. Mathematical equations are derived to describe deformation-time history for the standard Burgers model under three-dimensional stress-strain conditions, which are verified with a finite element model. A number of time-dependent in-mine plate-loading tests were conducted and the values of the viscoelastic parameters were estimated based on the derived equation. It is shown that large discrepancies between the parameter values estimated from the plate-loading tests and those acquired from the in-mine convergence data are the results of neglecting adjacent pillar interaction. Finite element modelling was conducted to investigate the effects of adjacent pillar interactions upon the pillar settlement. Based on the finite element analyses, a correction curve was developed to adjust the viscoelastic parameter values to take into account the interaction between adjacent pillars. With the correction, the parameter values estimated from the plate-loading tests compared favourably with those acquired from the in-mine convergence results.