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A photoelastic-model study of stress distribution and rock fracture around mining excavations

Experimental techniques are described in this paper; also, stress distributions, rock-fracture zones and the directions of fracture propagation around excavations are determined

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Abstract

A three-dimensional photoelastic-model study of two horizontal mining excavations with a central pillar is described. Details of experimental techniques used are given and stress distributions, rock-fracture initiation zones and the directions of subsequent fracture propagation around these excavations are determined. It is shown that the techniques adopted for this investigation offer realistic means for comparative design studies of best shape and layout of mining excavations.

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Abbreviations

σ1:

major principal component of the applied stress

σ3:

minor principal component of the applied stress

k :

σ3/σ1

σt :

uniaxial tensile strength of the material

ψt :

critical crack orientation

μ:

coefficient of internal friction between crack faces

V :

voltage

p :

mean vertical nominal stress

S :

stope width

P :

pillar width

References

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  2. Bieniawski, Z. T., “Mechanism of Brittle Fracture of Rock, Part I, II and III,”Intl. Jnl. Rock Mech. and Mining Sci.,4 (4),395–430 (October1967).

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  3. Hoek, E. andBieniawski, Z. T., “Brittle Fracture Propagation in Rock under Compression,”Intl. Jnl. Fracture Mech.,1 (3),137–155 (September 1965).

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  7. Hoek, E., andBieniawski, Z. T., “Application of the Photoelastic Coating Technique to Study of Stress Redistribution Associated with Plastic Flow around Notches, Jnl. S. Afr. Inst. Mech. Engrs.,12 (9),275–287 (June 1963).

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  8. Hoek, E., “A Photoelastic Technique for Determination of Potential Fracture Zones in Rock Structures,”Failure and Breakage of Rock, ed. C. Fairhurst, Am. Inst. Min. Metall. Petr. Engrs., New York, 94–112 (1967).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rock Mechanics Division, National Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, Pretoria, South Africa

    Z. T. Bieniawski (Head)

Authors
  1. Z. T. Bieniawski
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  2. C. P. G. Van Tonder
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Additional information

C. P. G. Van Tonder was Research Officer in the Division at the time when this study was conducted.

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Bieniawski, Z.T., Van Tonder, C.P.G. A photoelastic-model study of stress distribution and rock fracture around mining excavations. Experimental Mechanics 9, 75–81 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02326677

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02326677

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