Large-scale simulations of gravity flow in block caving

Authors: Hancock, WR; Weatherley, DK; Chitombo, GP

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1002_38_Hancock

Cite As:
Hancock, WR, Weatherley, DK & Chitombo, GP 2010, 'Large-scale simulations of gravity flow in block caving', in Y Potvin (ed.), Caving 2010: Proceedings of the Second International Symposium on Block and Sublevel Caving, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 553-566, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1002_38_Hancock

Download citation as:   ris   bibtex   endnote   text   Zotero


Abstract:
A parallel implementation of the discrete element method (DEM) capable of running on supercomputers has been used to study block caving flows at large scales. A short review of both physical and numerical models highlights the need for a well calibrated, physics based numerical model to supplant physical experimentation. The DEM code ESyS-Particle has been used in a validation study aimed at highlighting potential issues and limitations of such a model. Results show that ESyS-Particle is a suitable candidate for modelling caving flow and is within the range of reasonably expected flow regimes obtained from physical experiments using sand, crushed walnut shells and polypropylene pellets. Further to the validation study, in this paper we demonstrate the flexibility of numerical modelling by simulating both interactive draw and fines migration.

References:
Alfaro, M. and Saavedra, J. (2004) Predictive models for gravitational flow, in Proceedings MassMin 2004,
A. Karzulovic and M. Alvaro (eds), 22–25 August, Santiago, Chile, Instituto de Ingenieros de Chile, Santiago,
pp. 179–184.
Brady, B.H.G. and Brown, E.T. (2006) Rock Mechanics, Springer.
Bridgwater, J., Cooke, M. and Scott, A. (1978) Interparticle Percolation: Equipment development and mean percolation velocities, Chemical engineering research and design, Vol. 56a, pp. 157–167.
Calderon, C. and Alfaro, M. (2004) Computational model for simulation and visualization of gravitational flow, in Proceedings MassMin 2004, A. Karzulovic and M. Alvaro (eds), 22–25 August, Santiago, Chile, Instituto de Ingenieros de Chile, Santiago, CD only, Chapter 05-04, pp. 185–188.
Castro, R. (2006) A study of isolated draw zones in block caving mines, University of Queensland.
Castro, R.L. and Whiten, W.J. (2007) A new cellular automaton to model gravity flow in block caving based on physical modelling observations, in Proceedings 33rd International Symposium on the Application of Computers and Operations Research in the Minerals Industry Conference, APCOM 2007, E.J. Magri (ed), 24–27 April, Santiago, Chile, pp. 233–241.
Cundall, P. and Strack, O. (1979) A discrete numerical model for granular assemblies, Geotechnique, Vol. 29,
pp. 47–65.
Guest, A. (2007) The Difference Between Interaction and Interactive Draw, in Proceedings 1st International Symposium on Block and Sub-Level Caving, Cave Mining, Cape Town, South Africa.
Herrmann, H.J. and Luding, S. (1998) Modeling granular media on the computer, Contimuum Mechanics Thermodyn, Vol. 10, pp. 189–231.
Heslop, G.T. and Laubscher, D.H. (1981) Draw Control in Caving Operations on Southern African Chrysotile Asbestos Mines, In Design and Operation of Caving and Sublevel Stoping Mines, D. Stewart (ed), Society of Mining Engineers.
Janelid, I. and Kvapil, R. (1966) Sublevel Caving, International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences,
Vol. 3, pp. 129–153.
Just, G. (1981) The significance of material flow in mine design and production, Design and Operation of Caving and Sublevel Stoping Mines, New York, Society of Mining Engineers.
Kvapil, R. (1964) Gravity flow of granular materials in hoppers and bins, International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 2, pp. 35–41.
Laubscher, D.H. (1994) Cave mining – the state of the art, Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, pp. 279–293.
Litwiniszyn, J. (1974) Stochastic Methods in Mechanics of Granular Bodies, Springer Verlag.
Lorig, L. and Cundall, P. (2000) A rapid gravity flow simulator, Final Report, International Caving Study, E.T. Brown (ed), Brisbane, JKMRC and Itasca Consulting Group, Inc.
Marano, G. (1980) The interaction between adjoining drawpoints in free flowing materials and its application to mining, Chamber of Mines Journal, Vol. 22, pp. 25–32.
Martin, C.L., Bouvard, D. and Shima, S. (2003) Study of particle rearrangement during powder compaction by the Discrete Element Method, Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, Vol. 51, pp. 667–693.
Muhlhaus, H., Sakaguchi, H., Moresi, L. and Fahey, M. (2001) Discrete and continuum modelling of granular material, in Discrete and Continuous Modelling of Cohesive Frictional Materials, P. Vermeer, S. Diebels, W. Ehlers, H. Herrmann, S. Luding and E. Ramm (eds), Lecture notes in physics, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp. 185–204.
Mullins, W.W. (1972) Stochastic Theory of Particle Flow under Gravity, Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 43,
pp. 665–678.
Nedderman, R.M. (1992) Statics and Kinematics of Granular Materials, Cambridge.
Nedderman, R.M. (1995) The use of the kinematic model to predict the development of the stagnant zone boundary in the batch discharge of a bunker, Chemical Engineering Science, Vol. 50, pp. 959–965.
Nedderman, R.M. and Tuzun, U. (1979) A kinematic model for the flow of granular materials, Powder Technology, Vol. 22, pp. 243–253.
Peters, D. (1984) Physical modelling of the Draw Behaviour of Broken Rock in Caving, Quarterly of the Colorado School of Mines, Vol. 79.
Pierce, M. (2004) PFC3D modelling of inter-particle percolation in caved rock under draw, in Numerical Modeling in Micromechanics via Particle Methods, in Proceedings 2nd International PFC Symposium, Y. Shimizu,
R. Hart, P. Cundall (eds), 28–29 October 2004, Kyoto, Japan, Routledge, pp. 149–156.
Pierce, M. (2008) Flow Research and REBOP Development: Block/Panel Caving, MMT Meeting, Stockholm.
Pierce, M., Cundall, P., Van Hout, G. and Lorig, L. (2003) PFC3D Modeling of Caved Rock Under Draw, in Numerical Modeling in Micromechanics via Particle Methods, in Proceedings 1st International PFC Symposium,
H. Konietzky (ed), 6–8 November 2002, Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Balkema, pp. 211–218.
Potyondy, D.O. and Cundall, P.A. (2004) A bonded-particle model for rock, International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 41, pp. 1329–1364.
Power, G. (2004) Modelling Granular Flow in Caving Mines: Large Scale Physical Models and Full Scale Experiments, University of Queensland.
Yenge, L. (1980) Analysis of Bulk Flow of Materials under Gravity Caving Proceedings: Part I Sublevel caving in relation to flow in bins and bunkers, Quarterly of the Colorado School of Mines, Vol. 75.
Yenge, L. (1981) Analysis of Bulk Flow of Materials under Gravity Caving Proceedings: Part 2 Theoretical and physical modelling of gravity flow of broken rock, Quarterly of the Colorado School of Mines, Vol. 76.




© Copyright 2024, Australian Centre for Geomechanics (ACG), The University of Western Australia. All rights reserved.
View copyright/legal information
Please direct any queries or error reports to repository-acg@uwa.edu.au