Stress analysis of ore particle flow behaviour under the influence of a flexible barrier

Abstract

Additional stresses caused by a flexible barrier, drawpoints and the self-weight of ore particles were investigated based on a physical experiment of the shrinkage stoping method of synchronous filling, and the flow behaviour of ore particles is described by the component forces. This study shows that when ore particles are drawn from multiple drawpoints under the influence of a flexible barrier, the stress distribution of the ore particles is sinusoidal, with an amplitude that gradually decreases with increasing height. The values of σx and σy gradually decrease with increasing height; the maximum σy values occur at x = 0, the maximum σx values occur at x = ± 10 and the maximum shear stresses occur near the lateral walls. The shape of the draw column is determined by the additional vertical stress, and its contour determines the essential morphology of the drawbody. The surface of the ore particles is smoothed by the additional stress caused by the barrier, and the self-weight of the ore particles is the inherent cause of the additional stress.