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A Simple Time-Dependent Chart of Extension Fracture Initiation within Brittle Homogenous and Heterogeneous Rock Pillars in Hard Rock Mining

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Abstract

A simple empirical time-dependent chart of extension fracture initiation is described. The chart was developed using simple borehole periscope observations within the rib pillars, focusing on monitoring the initiations of extension fracture. Nevertheless, the periscope was conducted time to time for the duration of a month, within brittle homogenous and heterogeneous rock pillars (rib pillar). The chart is suitable for predicting extension fracture initiations and extends of fracturing as time progress, predicting the allowable time to install an effective support system and be able to estimate the stability of the rib pillars within a brittle homogenous and heterogeneous rib pillars in a high stress environment. Two practical application and examples of the chart are described. These are firstly, an alternative way of estimating the rib pillar strength and secondly, predicting the maximum allowable time for an effective support installation along the rib pillar.

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Acknowledgements

The author wishes all mineworkers who lost their lives as a result of rock burst accidents to rest in eternal peace.

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In this paper, the term chart is sometimes referred to three charts that are similar but differ with the composition of the rock pillar, sometimes it is referred as charts which means chart for homogenous heterogeneous (single structure) and heterogeneous (multiple structure) rock pillar.

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Sengani, F. A Simple Time-Dependent Chart of Extension Fracture Initiation within Brittle Homogenous and Heterogeneous Rock Pillars in Hard Rock Mining. Geotech Geol Eng 38, 2803–2833 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-020-01188-7

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