Integrated Application of Three <i>In Situ</i> Stress Measurement Techniques

Abstract

The CSIRO overcoring stress relief and hydraulic fracturing methods are the most popular methods used for the measurement of in-situ stress at depth. One major advantage of the CSIRO overcoring stress relief method is that the three dimensional state of stress can be obtained, but the measurement must be done in an excavated tunnel[1]. Hydraulic fracturing method can be carried out on the ground surface, but it assumed that one of the principal stresses direction is vertical[2,3]. In terms of the disadvantages of the two methods, the techniques based on core orientation and acoustic emission behavior of rocks are incorporated in the in-situ stress measurement in order to obtain the in-situ stress conditions at depth in Shuichang Iron Mine. According to the comparison of the measurement data obtained from the acoustic emission test in the laboratory and CSIRO overcoring stress relief measurement in the field, effectiveness of the acoustic emission test is confirmed. In addition, the relationships between in-situ stresses and tectonic settings are analyzed. Finally, the distribution of in-situ stresses in Shuichang Iron Mine is given, which provides a meaningful guideline for the following mining and design.