<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Although rock strength anisotropy is a well-known phenomenon in rock mechanics, its impact on geotechnical design is often ignored or underestimated. This paper explores the concept of anisotropy in a high stress environment using an improved unified constitutive model (IUCM), which can account for more complex failure mechanisms. The IUCM is used to better understand the typical responses of anisotropic rocks to underground mining. This study applies the IUCM to a proposed rock shaft located in high stress/anisotropic conditions. Results suggest that the effect of rock strength anisotropy must be taken into consideration when assessing the rock mass response to mining in high stress and anisotropic rock conditions.</p></abstract>

Although rock strength anisotropy is a well-known phenomenon in rock mechanics, its impact on geotechnical design is often ignored or underestimated. This paper explores the concept of anisotropy in a high stress environment using an improved unified constitutive model (IUCM), which can account for more complex failure mechanisms. The IUCM is used to better understand the typical responses of anisotropic rocks to underground mining. This study applies the IUCM to a proposed rock shaft located in high stress/anisotropic conditions. Results suggest that the effect of rock strength anisotropy must be taken into consideration when assessing the rock mass response to mining in high stress and anisotropic rock conditions.

Rock Strength Anisotropy in High Stress Conditions: A Case Study for Application to Shaft Stability Assessments

Geotechnical Engineering & Hydrogeology, KGHM International, Ltd., Suite 202 – 8105 Birch Bay Square St, Blaine, WA, USA 98230

Mining One Pty, Ltd., Level 9, 50 Market Street, Melbourne, VIC, Australia 3000

Business Development Department, KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., ul. Marii Sklodowskiej-Curie 48, 59-301 Lubin, Poland

Studia Geotechnica et Mechanica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Although rock strength anisotropy is a well-known phenomenon in rock mechanics, its impact on geotechnical design is often ignored or underestimated. This...

Rock Strength Anisotropy in High Stress Conditions: A Case Study for Application to Shaft Stability Assessments

Published Online: Mar 27, 2015

Page range: 115 - 125

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/sgem-2015-0013

Keywords
anisotropy, high stress, numerical modeling, constitutive model

© by Julian Matthew Watson

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Rock Strength Anisotropy in High Stress Conditions: A Case Study for Application to Shaft Stability Assessments

Published Online: Mar 27, 2015

Page range: 115 - 125

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/sgem-2015-0013

Keywordsanisotropy, high stress, numerical modeling, constitutive model

© by Julian Matthew Watson

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
anisotropy, high stress, numerical modeling, constitutive model