Fracture model for rockburst mitigation based on the strain energy concept

Authors: Zepeda, R; Krstulovic, G Download Paper

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1952_19_Zepeda

Cite As:
Zepeda, R & Krstulovic, G 2019, 'Fracture model for rockburst mitigation based on the strain energy concept', in W Joughin (ed.), Deep Mining 2019: Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Deep and High Stress Mining, The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Johannesburg, pp. 245-252, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1952_19_Zepeda



Abstract:
Rockbursts constitute an operational problem in deep excavations where many mitigation attempts using different methodologies were used without achieving workable, palliative strategies . The mitigation method with the highest number of bibliographic references is pre-conditioning of rocks prone to this phenomenon. Pre-conditioning seeks to lower the strength of the rock, ideally by increasing the number of fractures in it, and by extension, increasing its deformation response to imposed stress. The hydraulic fracturing technique or the use of explosives has been described in the literature as means to induce fractures in the rock mass just ahead of mining. The former method is the most popular in Chile. To date, there is not enough analytical explanation on how pre-conditioning can mitigate rockburst occurrences. In this paper, the laws of classic mechanics are described in terms of the strain energy to explain the pre-conditioning effect on the rockburst phenomenon; and arising from this, possible limitations of the hydraulic fracturing technique currently in use.

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