Numerical and theoretical study of large-scale failure of strata overlying sublevel caving mines with steeply dipping discontinuities

The deformation and fracture evolution mechanisms of the strata overlying mines mined using sublevel caving were studied via numerical simulations.Moreover,an expression for the normal force acting on the side face of a steeply dipping superimposed cantilever beam in the surrounding rock was deduced based on limit equilibrium theory.The results show the following:(1)surface displacement above metal mines with steeply dipping discontinuities shows significant step characteristics,and(2)the behavior of the strata as they fail exhibits superimposition characteristics.Generally,failure first occurs in certain superimposed strata slightly far from the goaf.Subsequently,with the constant downward excavation of the orebody,the superimposed strata become damaged both upwards away from and downwards toward the goaf.This process continues until the deep part of the steeply dipping superimposed strata forms a large-scale deep fracture plane that connects with the goaf.The deep fracture plane generally makes an angle of 12°-20°with the normal to the steeply dipping discontinuities.The effect of the constant outward transfer of strata movement due to the constant outward failure of the superimposed strata in the metal mines with steeply dipping discontinuities causes the scope of the strata movement in these mines to be larger than expected.The strata in the metal mines with steeply dipping discontinuities mainly show flexural toppling failure.However,the steeply dipping structural strata near the goaf mainly exhibit shear slipping failure,in which case the mechanical model used to describe them can be simplified by treating them as steeply dipping superimposed cantilever beams.By taking the steeply dipping superimposed cantilever beam that first experiences failure as the key stratum,the failure scope of the strata(and criteria for the stability of metal mines with steeply dipping discontinuities mined using sublevel caving)can be obtained via iterative computations from the key stratum,moving downward toward and upwards away from the goaf.

Safety analysis of Sormeh underground mine to improve sublevel stoping stability

In underground mines,sublevel stoping is used among a variety of different methods for mining an orebody,which creates large underground openings.In this case,the stability of these openings is affected by a number of factors,including the geometrical characteristics of the rock and mining-induced stresses.In this study,a sensitivity analysis was conducted with the numerical,squat pillar,and Mathews stability methods using the Taguchi technique to properly understand the influence of geometric parameters and stress on stope stability according to Sormeh underground mine data.The results show a full factorial analysis is more reliable since stope stability is a complex process.Furthermore,the numerical results indicate that overburden stress has the most impact on stope stability,followed by stope height.However,the results obtained with Mathews and squat pillar methods show that stope height has the greatest impact,followed by overburden stress and span.It appears that these methods overestimate the impact of stope height.Therefore,it is highly recommended that Mathews and squat pillar methods should not be used in high stope that is divided with several sill pillars.Nonetheless,Mathews method cannot accurately predict how the sill pillar impacts the stope stability.In addition,numerical analysis shows that all geometric parameters affect the roof safety factor,whereas the sill pillar has no significant influence on the safety factor of the hanging wall,which is primarily determined by the stope height–span ratio.

Failure of hanging roofs in sublevel caving by shock collision and stress superposition

Hanging roofs or high hang-ups.a common problem in sublevel caving mining,usually result in a large ore loss and undermine mining safety.This paper analyzed the formation of a hanging roof and showed that increased confining pressure and reduced free surface were its main characteristics.In order to break down a hanging roof,a new method based on shock wave collision and stress superposition was developed.In this method,two blastholes containing multi-primer at different positions are simultaneously initiated at first.By doing this,a new free surface and a swell room can be created.After these holes are fired,a long delay time is given to the next blasthole so that the fragments from the first twohole blasting have enough time to fall down.This new method was applied to three hanging roofs in one production area,and all of them were successfully broken down.Field inspection indicated that almost no damage was caused in the nearby drifts/tunnels due to the new method.In addition,the far field vibrations were found to be smaller than the maximum vibrations induced by some other blasts.

Numerical Simulation of Independent Advance of Ore Breaking in the Non-pillar Sublevel Caving Method

The mechanism of stress generation and propagation by detonation loading in five separate independent advance of ore breaking patterns is discussed in the paper. An elastic numerical model was developed using AN- SYS/LS-DYNA 3D Nonlinear Dynamic Finite Element Software. In this package ANSYS is the preprocessor and LS-DYNA is the postprocessor. Numerical models in the paper to actual were l：10 and the element mesh was dissected in scanning mode utilizing the symmetry characteristics of the numerical model. Five different advance rates were studied. Parameters, such as the time required to maximum stress, the action time of the available stress, the maximum velocity of the nodes, the stress penetration time, the magnitude of the stress peak and the time duration for high stress were numerically simulated. The 2.2 m advance appeared optimum from an analysis of the simulation results. The results from numerical simulation have been validated by tests with physical models.

Evaluation of the use of sublevel open stoping in the mining of moderately dipping medium-thick orebodies

The flow of blasted ore during mining of moderately dipping medium-thick orebodies is a challenge.Selecting a suitable mining system for such ore bodies is difficult.This paper proposes a diamond layout sublevel open stoping system using fan blastholes with backfilling to mine such orebodies.To evaluate the performance of system the relationships between ore recovery and stope footwall dip angle,footwall surface roughness,drawpoint spacing and production blast ring burden were investigated.An ore recovery data set from 81 laboratory physical model experiments was established from combinations of the listed factors.Various modules in a back propagation neural network structure were compared,and an optimal network structure identified.An ore recovery backpropagation neural network(BPNN)forecast model was developed.Using the model and sensitivity analysis of the factors affecting the proposed open stope mining system,the significance of each factor on ore recovery was studied.The study results were applied to a case study at the Shandong Gold Group Jiaojia Gold Mine.The results showed that the application of a BPNN and sensitivity analysis models for ore recovery prediction in the proposed mining system and field experimental results confirm that the suggested mining method is feasible.

Surveying on two-zone height of sublevel strip mining

The site drilling packer permeability test and TEM to the 2100 workface in Gucheng coalmine determined the two-zone height under sublevel strip mining.The conclusion considers that the lying strata deterioration law of the strip mining is similar to that of the sublevel mining.Thus, against that the actually measured data lacked, it is feasible to refer to the reservation of the waterproof coal pillar in the neighbor coalmine under sublevel situation.However, it is necessary to further launch the research on lying strata deterioration law under sublevel striping mining for the purpose of providing the right foundation for the layout of the workface not mined so far and the reservation of the waterproof coal pillar in the mining area.

Statistic constitutive equation of top-coal damage for fully mechanized coal face with sublevel caving

Under the action of abutment pressure in front of fully mechanized coal face with sublevel caving(CFSC),top-coal over CFSC deformed.In the process of whole de- formation of top-coal,it changed from continuum elastic mass to non-continuum plastic mass contained fissures,become a loose body.According to its bearing characteristics and mechanical properties,top-coal mass can be divided into four deformation zones along the winning direction of CFSC,i.e.initial stress zone,elastic zone,plastic zone and loose zone.Top-coal in plastic zone located in the post-peak zone of the stress-strain curve for top-coal.With equivalent strain principle of damage mechanics and mathemati- cal theory of statistic,combining the movement law of top-coal,set up a constitutive equa- tion with damage statistics for top-coal in different position in CFSC.The equation illus- trated the mathematical relationship among top-coal bearing capacity,horizontal confining pressure along the winning direction of CFSC and mechanical properties of top-coal mate- rial.The conclusions not only provide a basis for numerical computer simulations on damage deformation and failure mechanism for top-coal,but also further promote the ap- plication of damage mechanics in CFSC.

STUDY ON THE BROKEN-ORE DRAWING DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF SUBLEVEL CAVING

In order to realize the modernized miningmanagementi the authors. based on the practice of a specified mine, developed the application software of the broken ore drawing data management system for sublevel caving through the study on FOXBASE computer language. This paper elabo-rates the overall conception of this system , indicates the main task which should he completed in this system and introduces its module structure and main functions.

Optimal location of terminal line in sublevel caving face with suspend-shift support in thinner thick-seam

According to the geological and mining technical conditions of No.18128 sub- level caving face with suspend-shift support,the first working face of the working area,the distribution laws of abutment pressure were studied by jointly employing FIAC^(3D) numerical simulations and field tests.With the full consideration of these laws and the service time- limit of the mining district,the optimal location of the terminal mining line,should be 60 m away from the W4-B8 track dip,which was 20 m shorter than the 80 m distance deter- mined according to traditional experiences.The retained coal safety pillar for the protect- ing of dips,already proved by the industrial practice,can not only improve the rate of coal recovery and satisfy the subsequent service requirement for the following working faces, but also decrease the maintaining expenditure and thus increase profits.

Study on rock burst of fully mechanized sublevel caving mining in deep mine

The theoretical analysis, numerical simulation and field observation were used to study distribution characters of abutment pressure of fully mechanized sublevel caving face in deep mine, fully mechanized sublevel caving and pressure relief in entries along goaf to the influence of rock burst. The results show that： （1） With the increasing of mining depth, the abutment pressure zone is larger, its peak point is transferred to the front of face, the danger area occurring rock burst in the two fully mechanized sublevel caving entries is larger, and its position is far from the face; （2） There is larger failure area in the upper coal in front of the fully mechanized caving face, and strata possibly occurring rock burst transferred to the upwards or far from faces because of the main roof＇s buffer effect to the dynamic pressure burst, then possibility and strength reduced; （3） The position occurring rock burst is stress concentration zones （abutment pressure along the goaf and residual tectonic stress） and zones with geological structure; （4） Strenuous activities of roof is the inducing factor occurring rock burst.

STUDY ON PRODUCTION SYSTEM OPERATION REGULARITY OF FULLY MECHANIZED SUBLEVEL CAVING MINING AND SEQUENTIAL OPERATION

According to a lot of practical data in Liujialiang Mine and reliability theory and result of computer simulation, operation regularity of fully mechanized sublevel caving mining production system in the condition of gently inclined complicated geological structure and production shortcomings are found out and reliability of system and output of the working face are predicted finally.

Arrangement of anchor reinforcement in roadway for fully mechanized sublevel caving

Bolting of mining roadway for fully mechanized sublevel caving has been practised successfully in Hebi mining area.It provides a new method for roadway support and settles the problem of support difficulty radically for sublevel caving in Hebi mining area.Where anchor reinforcement holds an important station in roadway support.This article brings forward the arrangement project of anchor based on theoretic analysis.Compared with arranged in the middle of the entry, anchor arranged in the vertex of the entry can reduces the length of anchor,shortens the anchor installation time,and heightens the reliability of anchor installation.

Electromagnetically induced transparency in a Zeeman-sublevels Λ-system of cold ^87Rb atoms in free space

We report the experimental investigation of electromagnetically induced transparency （EIT） in a Zeeman-sublevels A-type system of cold 87Rb atoms in free space. We use the Zeeman substates of the hyperfine energy states 52 S 1/2, F =- 2 and 52P3/2, F1 = 2 of 87Rb D2 line to form a A-type EIT scheme. The EIT signal is obtained by scanning the probe light over 1 MHz in 4 ms with an 80 MHz arbitrary waveform generator. More than 97% transparency and 100 kHz EIT window are observed. This EIT scheme is suited for an application of pulsed coherent storage atom clock （Yan B, et al. 2009 Phys. Rev. A 79 063820）.

Analysis of factors of top coal caving in fully mechanized sublevel caving face in soft coal and control

According to the analysis of the mechanism of top coal caving, the caving condition was pointed out, and many factors of caving were also determined. Then the relationship between factors and caving was studied. Based on the above research, one effective method by using field monitoring was brought forward to determine the controlling factor. Then some related key technologies were provided, such as keeping the integrality of the top-coal, raising the horizontal resistance of supports and decreasing the real end-face distance etc.. At last one application of this method was presented, and it was proved to be an effective method.

Quantum coherent effects in multi-Zeeman-sublevel atomic systems

This paper reports the experimental results on electromagnetically induced absorption （EIA） spectra observed in the system which does not satisfy completely the conditions given by Lezama et al [1999 Phys. Rev. A 59 4732]. EIA signals on the transitions in the Cs D2 line are able to be observed, where Fg ←→ Fe = Fg-1 as open systems. Theoretical model of Lezama et al is good for the case Fg ←→ Fc = Fg ＋ 1, considering spontaneous transfer of atomic coherences or populations this model is not able to explain our experimental results obtained in the case Fg ←→ Fe = Fg - 1. This paper offers a theoretical model which is able to well explain the case Fg ←→ Fc = Fg - 1. It also uses this theoretical model to explain the split and shift of EIA peaks, which have been obtained in experiments.

有限回采空间内贫矿资源无底柱分段崩落法低贫损开采方案研究

做好无底柱分段崩落法的贫损控制对于矿山经济效益及环境保护具有重要意义,但当矿床开采条件复杂、矿石品位较低时,矿石贫损控制难度将会大幅增加,在此条件下如何做好矿石贫损控制一直是崩落法开采方向的重要关注点。金川龙首矿西二采区无底柱分段崩落法采场仅可布置4个分段,回采空间十分有限,不利于矿石的贫损控制,加之西二采区矿石品位较低但经济价值较高,因此在开采过程中需要严格控制矿石贫损。针对西二采区的复杂开采条件及贫损控制需求,提出了一种“首采分段总量控制出矿、中间分段低贫化出矿、最末分段低贫化出矿+辅助进路回收残留矿石”的组合式低贫损回采方案。以西二采区为工程背景,设计并制作了一种高仿真度的物理放矿模型并对该方案展开了试验研究。结果表明:即便是在暂时不考虑回收最末分段残留矿石的情况下,该方案可使西二采区崩落法采场的矿石回收率达到75.6%,而废石混入率仅为6.0%,在确保矿石回收率的基础上显著降低了矿石贫化。该方案在现场应用后,实际的矿石回收指标与试验结果基本接近,表明该方案在西二采区有限回采空间内实现了贫矿资源低成本、高质量回收的总体目标。

无底柱分段崩落法结构参数的影响因素及计算

分析无底柱分段崩落法的特征及其优缺点,整理了该采矿方法主要结构参数的影响因素,并归纳了主要结构参数的理论计算公式,同时通过尖山采场的室内放矿实验及现场实际效果,对归纳整理的主要结构参数计算公式进行验证。可为采用无底柱分段崩落法的矿山提供设计依据。

复杂应力环境下胶结充填采矿法进路开采顺序优化

针对复杂应力环境下胶结充填采矿法进路开采顺序合理性问题,以金川二矿区为例,借助数值仿真软件构建三维数值模型,对不同进路开采顺序下应力场、位移场及塑性破坏区进行分析;在此基础上,采用组合赋权与模糊综合评价相结合的方法对进路开采顺序优化,并开展现场工业试验。结果表明:不同走向进路开采顺序和进路开采空间顺序均对开采区域最大主应力、最大拉应力、垂直位移、塑性破坏区以及临近下一采场最大主应力、垂直位移有一定程度影响;采用下盘至上盘、先开采垂直矿体走向进路的开采顺序时,采场整体开采安全性高,且现场试验效果良好。研究结果可为复杂应力环境下胶结充填采矿法进路开采顺序设计与优化提供理论依据。

基于降雨量数据的程潮铁矿涌水量时序性预测模型

无底柱分段崩落法开采必然形成大范围的地表塌陷区,所分布的导水裂隙将导致大量的地表降水向下渗透,引起巷道涌水量骤增,程潮铁矿现已进入-500 m开采水平,大气降雨与崩落法开采所引发的裂隙持续动态发展之间的相互作用机制十分复杂。因此,为科学准确地预测井下涌水量,本研究提出了一种以降雨量为输入数据的涌水量灰色GM(1,2)时序性预测模型。以程潮铁矿2019—2021年的降雨量、涌水量实际数据为训练样本,充分考虑崩落法开采对上覆岩体的持续影响,引入时序性系数K对模型进行优化,最终建立的灰色GM(1,2)时序性预测模型与传统的GM(1,2)预测模型相比,预测精度平均提高了7.79%。运用该模型对2022年的涌水量进行预测检验结果表明,其旱、雨两季的预测精度分别为93.51%、93.58%,预测效果较好。研究成果是通过地表降雨量数据直接预测矿山井下涌水量数据的一种有效方法。

基于Aegis的无底柱分段崩落法中深孔爆破过程模拟与应用

无底柱分段崩落法因其回采效率高、结构简单、安全性高等优势被广泛应用于地下金属矿开采,其落矿方式常采用中深孔爆破。针对传统无底柱分段崩落法中深孔爆破设计过程繁琐、模拟效果不够直观等问题,开展了基于爆破设计与分析软件Aegis的中深孔爆破过程模拟与应用研究。首先介绍了该软件的模块构成和功能,并梳理和总结了模拟分析流程;其次研究了利用模型边界限制爆破空间以及利用爆炸能量的交错状态校验孔网参数的两项关键技术;最后基于该软件对某地下矿山无底柱分段崩落法中深孔爆破进行了数值模拟。研究结果表明:单排炮孔内爆炸能量集中且充盈了整个爆腔,连续耦合的装药结构以及0.3 kg/t的炸药单耗设计较为合理;临排炮孔间爆腔壁呈相切的状态,可能存在排间能量不足以完全破碎岩体的情况,2.2 m的炮孔排距稍大;预测的多条进路爆破块度质量分布结果均出现大块占比偏高的情况,与现场的工程实践结果一致,并以其中一次爆破后的爆堆照片为例进行说明,其大块率达到了18.03%。结合Aegis软件的模拟结果,分析炮孔排距偏大可能是导致大块率偏高的主要原因。此外还对实验分段的6个开采进路进行了12次爆破试验并加以模拟验证,得到了基本一致的爆破块度质量占比结果,有效佐证了该软件的现场应用效能。