Stability analyses of vertically exposed cemented backfill:A revisit to Mitchell's physical model tests

Mitchell's solution is commonly used to determine the required strength of vertically exposed cemented backfill in mines. Developed for drained backfill, Mitchell model assumed a zero friction angle for the backfill. Physical model tests were performed. Good agreements were obtained between the required strengths predicted by the analytical solution and experimental results. However, it is well-known that zero friction angle can only be possible in terms of total stresses when geomaterials are submitted to unconsolidated and undrained conditions. A revisit to Mitchell's physical model tests reveals that both the laboratory tests performed for obtaining the shear strength parameters of the cemented backfill and the box stability tests were conducted under a condition close to undrained condition. This explains well the good agreement between Mitchell's solution and experimental results. Good agreements are equally obtained between Mitchell's experimental results and FLAC3 D numerical modeling of shortterm stability analyses of exposed cemented backfill.

Tough superabsorbent poly(acrylic acid) nanocomposite physical hydrogels fabricated by a dually cross-linked single network strategy

In this work, we report a facile method for the preparation of tough and highly stretchable physical hydrogels by dual cross-linking composed of vinyl-hybrid silica nanoparticles（VSNPs） as multivalent covalent cross-linking and hydrogen bonding as physical cross-linking. Poly（acrylic acid） nanocomposite physical hydrogels（NCP gels） are obtained without adding any organic chemical cross-linkers. When the content of VSNPs is 0.7 wt%（relative to the monomer）, the NCP gels exhibit good mechanical properties（fracture strength = 370 k Pa, elongation at break = 2200%） and a high swelling capacity in both deionized water（2300 g/g） and saline（220 g/g）. Meanwhile, the NCP gels have good recovery ability.