Gray, I & Gibbons, TR 2022, 'Factors influencing caving', in Y Potvin (ed.), Caving 2022: Proceedings of the Fifth International  Conference on Block and Sublevel Caving, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 1367-1386, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2205_95
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/2205_95_Gray/)
Abstract: This paper examines the interaction of rock properties, rock stress and fluid pressure in initiating caving or strata collapse. The paper looks at the measurement of appropriate rock properties, rock stress and fluid pressure to determine how and when failure will occur. It also examines how fluid pressure operates within the rock mass – whether through the effects of poroelasticity or directly on fracture faces. It discusses the transition between these states within the rock mass. The emphasis of the paper is on measurement rather than on modelling and techniques to get the appropriate measurements are discussed. Field cases within laminated strata are covered.

Keywords: caving, stress, effective stress, fluid pressure, permeability, measurement