Distinct element modeling and analysis of mining-induced subsidence

O’Connor, Kevin; Dowding, Charles H.

doi:10.1007/bf01041873

Cited by 26 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…DEM can therefore be used to study a variety of phenomena characterized by large discontinuous strains on a wide range of scales, in areas from granular flow dynamics to solid rock mechanics. Consequently, DEM is increasingly used to study subsidence problems in civil engineering [e.g., Villard et al , 2009], hydrocarbon exploration [e.g., Alassi et al , 2006] and the mining industry [e.g., O'Connor and Dowding , 1992].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanical and geometric controls on the structural evolution of pit crater and caldera subsidence

2011

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[1] Pit craters and calderas are volcanic depressions produced by subsidence of a magma reservoir roof. To identify how geometric and mechanical factors may influence the structural evolution of this subsidence, we used two-dimensional distinct element method numerical models. The reservoir host rock was represented as an assemblage of bonded circular particles that interact according to elastic-frictional laws. Varying particle and bond properties produced a range of bulk material properties characteristic of natural rock masses. Fracturing results when bonds break, once their shear or tensile strength is exceeded. The magma reservoir was represented as a region of nonbonded low-friction particles. Withdrawal of magma was simulated by incrementally reducing the area of the reservoir particles. Resultant gravity-driven failure and subsidence of the reservoir roof were explicitly replicated. Interaction of the roof's strength, Young's modulus, thickness/diameter ratio (T/D), and the reservoir's shape yields a variety of model structures and subsidence styles. In conceptual terms, four end-member subsidence styles developed: (1) "central sagging" favored by low strength and low T/D; (2) "central snapping" favored by high strength, low T/D, and a sill-like reservoir shape; (3) "single central block" favored by low to intermediate strength, high Young's modulus, and intermediate T/D; and (4) "multiple central blocks" favored by high strength, low Young's modulus, and high T/D. Most model realizations incorporated some combination of each style, however. The models provide a geomechanical framework for understanding natural pit crater or caldera structures, as at Nindiri (Nicaragua), Fernandina (Galapagos), Dolomieu (La Reunion), and Miyakejima (Japan).

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanical and geometric controls on the structural evolution of pit crater and caldera subsidence

2011

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“…Based on his work, Dowding et al (1983) proposed edge-to-edge (face-to-face) contact model. By now, DEM has been used in stability analysis of rock masses and other engineering fields (O'connor and Dowding, 1992;Kamp et al, 1998;Cai and Zhao, 2000). Yet further studies with DEM are required for wave propagation analysis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Study on Stress Waves in Rock Masses With Multiple Parallel Fractures Using Distinct Element Method

Guo

2002

Structural Stability and Dynamics

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In this paper, stress waves in rock masses with multiple parallel fractures applied by sine load are studied with rigid block and face-to-face contact model of distinct element method (DEM). Normal stress waves in a rock pillar are analyzed, and the wave patterns of different damping ratio are presented. The effects of silent boundary conditions, soft interlayer and tensile property on the propagation characteristics of stress waves are analyzed.

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“…It is impossible and difficult to involve all factors in a study, there are numerous types of mined-out areas, and their stability features are always different. These factors include rock discontinuities (Cheng et al, 2018;O'Connor and Dowding, 1992), coal seam dip angle (Cui et al, 2013;Fang et al, 2016;Yao et al, 2017), topography (Fathi Salmi et al, 2017;Holla, 1997), mining depth (Xia et al, 2018), time (Salmi et al, 2017), number of mine seams (Ghabraie et al, 2017;Sui et al, 2015), landforms (Zhou et al, 2016), and mining speed (Xu et al, 2019). The dip angle is the prominent feature of acute inclined mined-out areas.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subsidence Characteristics Study on the Highway and Substrata Overlying Acute Inclined Shallow Mined-out Area Under Different Mining Heights and Mining Angles

Bao¹,

H²,

Lai³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Based on an actual highway project traversing an acute inclined shallow mined-out area in Urumqi, China, a scale physical model experiment and numerical simulation method were adopted to study the stability and settlement mechanism of the highway subgrade and substrata overlying an acute inclined mined-out area under different mining heights and mining angles. Plastic pneumatic capsules with different shapes were embedded in similar strata made from clay, fine sand, and Vaseline to simulate the mined-out cavity. The capsule was removed to simulate the process of mining, and five cases with different mining heights and angles were studied. According to similarity theory, a physical model was established with a geometric similarity coefficient of 50 of the actual prototype, whereas the numerical model adopted the full-scale value. The physical model experiments and numerical simulations show that the settlement of the subgrade and substrata overlying the mined-out area is directly proportional to the mining height but inversely proportional to the mining angle. According to the settlement contour obtained by numerical simulations, which were in accordance with the physical model experiment results, two parameters, the free slip volume and the free surface, were defined to assess the stability of the subgrade and substrata overlying the mined-out area. The free slip volume and free surface calculation results demonstrate a strong relationship between the settlement and free slip volume and free surface. Therefore, the values of free slip volume and free surface could be reliable reference parameters to evaluate the stability of the subgrade and substrata overlying mined-out areas.

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Distinct element modeling and analysis of mining-induced subsidence

Cited by 26 publications

References 6 publications

Mechanical and geometric controls on the structural evolution of pit crater and caldera subsidence

Mechanical and geometric controls on the structural evolution of pit crater and caldera subsidence

A Study on Stress Waves in Rock Masses With Multiple Parallel Fractures Using Distinct Element Method

Subsidence Characteristics Study on the Highway and Substrata Overlying Acute Inclined Shallow Mined-out Area Under Different Mining Heights and Mining Angles

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