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MassMin 2016

Results from physical

models of block caving

Daniel Cumming-Potvin, Johan Wesseloo

Australian Centre for Geomechanics, University of
Western Australia
SW Jacobsz, Elsabe Kearsley
University of Pretoria

www.acg.uwa.edu.au 10/05/2016 | Sydney

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Introduction

Duplancic (2001) model of caving

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Rationale
Tried to replicated Duplancic (2001) model of caving
No direct verification possible

Centrifuge modelling
Why?
Body Forces - gravity
Scale 80g
University of Pretoria

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Experiment Design
Two-dimensional
Allows visual observations
Acoustic emission sensors
Vertical stress self weight x 80g
Horizontal stress water filled bladders x 80g
Undercut pistons

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Sample
Size
500 x 450 x 50 mm
Mass
21 kg
Weak concrete sample
Brittle

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Monitoring
Well instrumented
LVDTs
Measure displacement of pistons
Acoustic emission sensors
On board Cameras
Full visual observation
DSLR: 18 MP at 4s intervals
Web cameras
Other instrumentation
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Acoustic Emission Monitoring

Expensive broke
Cheap results were reasonable (given the cost!)

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Monitoring
Large data files
1.6 GB/min only AE

AE system location accuracy: approximately 30 mm

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Signal filtering - before

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Signal filtering - after

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AE location
2 automatic processing routines tried
Were not well suited to the task
Manual processing using ESGs WaveVis
Few events could be processed
Test 1: 326
Test 2: 525
Could see seismogenic zone
Proof of concept
Not enough for detailed analysis
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Results
5 successful caving tests
Focus on 2 tests

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Test 1

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Test 2

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Cave propagation influenced by major structures

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Parallel extensional fracturing

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PIV results
PIV
Particle Image Velocimetry

Tracks patches of pixels through pictures

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Parallel extensional fracturing

Found in other sources
Literature
Seismicity

More info in modelling

of caving workshop

Panek (1981)

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Parallel extensional fracturing - seismicity

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Parallel extensional fracturing - seismicity

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Parallel extensional fracturing - seismicity

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Parallel extensional fracturing - seismicity

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Duplancic vs physical model

Duplancic conceptual model Physical model

Caved zone Confirmed by the model

Air gap Confirmed by the model

Not visually observed in model
Zone of loosening
Cannot be confirmed due to the lack of quality AE data
Present in the model
Limits and properties cannot be investigated due to the lack of quality
AE data.
Seismogenic zone
Failure mechanism extensional rather than the shear along existing
fractures suggested by Duplancic.
Damage profile shows sharp changes.
Pseudo-continuous domain Present in the model

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Conclusions
Centrifuge Testing successfully replicated caving
Valuable data
Visual
Acoustic emission proof of concept
Emergence of a new caving mechanism:
Extensional fractures parallel to cave front
Also appear in literature, field observations
Duplancic model: Need for re-evaluation/extension?
Further research needed

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