Physical and Numerical Modelling of Cave Propogation

Project Aim

To improve the industry’s understanding of cave propagation. It involves testing of physical models of caving using a geotechnical centrifuge in order to visually observe cave propagation, something which is not achievable in caving mines. The results of the testing are used to calibrate numerical models, as well as to learn about caving mechanisms and the link between caving and seismicity.

Phase 1

Project Leader: Dr Daniel Cumming-Potvin

This phase of the project’s focus is on using centrifuge testing to investigate caving mechanics. A testing programme was carried out at the University of Pretoria Geotechnical Centrifuge Laboratory (shown below). The model material used was a weakly cemented cement and fly ash material, with a series of healed joints cut into it. The sample dimensions (500 × 450 × 50 mm) and test setup were designed to be approximately two-dimensional to allow visual observation of caving behaviour. The sample was placed in a custom made aluminium frame, with two thick panes of glass in front of the sample. The undercutting and material draw was simulated using a series of five pistons beneath the sample which were controlled remotely by solenoid valves. Vertical stress was applied primarily through the self-weight of the sample, along with some small weights placed on top of the sample. The weight was multiplied by the acceleration of the centrifuge (80 g). Horizontal stress was applied to the samples via bladders on the side of the sample, which was also multiplied by the centrifuge’s acceleration.

The tests were monitored using on-board web cameras and a digital SLR. The photos taken by the SLR camera allow the particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique to be applied and the displacements within the sample quantified. The sample was also instrumented with acoustic emission sensors to record acoustic emission events as the sample caved. While the results served as a proof of concept, the data was not sufficient for in-depth analysis. This was attributed largely to the quality of the sensors and sensitivity of the system.

The results of the physical modelling showed that the damage profile ahead of the cave was discontinuous, with the caving behaviour dominated by large fractures parallel to and ahead of the cave back. This caving mechanism, termed fracture banding, was subsequently verified through multiple sources including microseismic and open hole monitoring, numerical modelling and observations in literature.

The Duplancic (2001) conceptual model of caving cannot capture the mechanism of fracture banding and thus a new extended conceptual model of caving mechanics was developed. This model captures the fracture banding mechanism, along with the more ‘continuous’ mechanism of caving seen in the Duplancic conceptual model. There are still, however, a number of unknowns with respect to the fracture banding mechanism and the transition between fracture banding and the Duplancic mode of caving.

150g-ton centrifuge at the University of Pretoria Geotechnical Centrifuge Laboratory

Frame with test sample inside and pistons below

Results from centrifuge modelling

Frame with test sample inside and pistons below

Particle image velocimetry results

Acoustic emission results

Examples of discontinuous type damage and fracture banding from multiple sources

Schematic of cave growth through fracture banding

Speculative conceptual model of caving

Phase 2

Project Leader: Johan Wesseloo

Phase 2 continues as a collaborative project between the ACG and the University of Pretoria, sponsored by Newcrest Mining Ltd. It builds on the work of the preliminary phase and has three overlapping general aims:

  1. Advancing the understanding in cave mining geomechanics through the execution and interpretation of physical models
  2. Assess the accuracy and reliability of current numerical modelling techniques and to assess the role of data quality and quantity and the calibration process in maximising numerical model reliability.
  3. Improve numerical modelling techniques.

Addressing knowledge gaps through the use of physical modelling

During Phase 2, a number of physical models of caving will be conducted with upgraded instrumentation. Numerical simulations of these physical models will be created and calibration of the tests will be performed using instrumentation from the physical models.

The reliability of predictions from numerical modelling with increased access to monitoring data will be tested, as will the ability of seismic monitoring analysis techniques such as active and passive seismic tomography.

References

Cumming-Potvin, D. (2018). An Extended Conceptual Model of Caving Mechanics. PhD thesis, The University of Western Australia.

Cumming-Potvin, D. and Wesseloo, J. (2014). Assessing the state of the rock mass in operating block caving mines: A review. 3rd International Symposium on Block and Sublevel Caving, Castro, R. Santiago, Universidad de Chile: 118-127.

Cumming-Potvin, D., Wesseloo, J., Jacobsz, S. W. and Kearsley, E. P. (2016). “Fracture Banding in Caving Mines.” The Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 118(8): 753-761.

Cumming-Potvin, D., Wesseloo, J., Jacobsz, S. W. and Kearsley, E. P. (2016). Results from Physical Models of Block Caving. MassMin2016. Sydney, Australia, The AusIMM: 329-340.

Jacobsz, S. W., Kearsley, E.P. and Kock, J. H. L. (2014). ‘The geotechnical centrifuge facility at the University of Pretoria’, 8th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics.

Research Partners

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank staff from the University of Pretoria Geotechnical Centrifuge Laboratory for their work. We would also like to thank industry partners who have supplied data for analysis and advice throughout the project.