Search Documents

By Gary R. Krieger

Baseline Risk Assessment: - Data Collection and Evaluation - Exposure Assessment - Toxicity Assessment - Risk Characterization Lead - Problems and Pitfalls: - Sources - Pathways - Receptors - Toxic Endpoints - Modeling Options - Health Based Clean-Up Options

Jan 1, 1990

Calculations of the temperatures of metal, coke, and gas at any level in the cupola furn~ce can be carried out by means of heat balances, using data obtained from experiments with an 18 in. experimental cupola. The results can, to a certain extent, be verified by means of heat transfer calculations.The curves thus obtained, showing the variation of temperature with height in the cupola, provide a valuable picture of the heat transfer processes in a shaft 'furnace.INTRODUCTIONThe Brown Coal Research Laboratory, of the University of Melbourne, has been engaged in recent years on a programme of iron-melting tests in an experimental cupola furnace.Although the ultimate aim of this work is to develop brown coal char as a cupola fuel, most of the experimental work so far has been with conventional coke. The testing programme was designed to provide information on the effect of variables such as blast rate, metal-coke ratio, and coke size on the overall melting process, e.g. melting rate, temperature of metal tapped, and stack gas composition.However, in many cases data were obtained on conditions inside the furnace by measuring temperatures and gas compositions. The aim of the work described in this paper was to qevelop a method for using this data to obtain information on the processes taking place in the cupola.Very little research has been done on the combustion of fuels in shaft furnaces. Early work on this subject, as well as the initial stages of the Brown Coal Research Laboratory's programme, has been discussed by Evans (1959). The use of probes for obtaining information on conditions in the interior of a shaft furnace was pioneered by Belden (1913)...

Jan 1, 1963

By C. L. Schneider

The calculation of the liberation spectrum in the product from continuous milling operations is a problem of considerable importance and is difficult to solve because the population balance equation must be integrated in two-dimensional space. Complete solutions require the estimation of a large number of parameters unless a structural model of the ore texture can be used. A very simplified textural model based on the use of the modified Andrews-Mika diagram and the PARGEN simulation of multi-phase particles has been formulated and is used to simulate the behavior of a continuously operating laboratory ball mill. A sensitivity analysis for this mill has been done to show the likely effect of model approximations on the predicted liberation spectrum which will be measured.

Jan 1, 1992

By James Harding

THE usual method of sampling mineral deposits is to drill holes and assay the sludge or core. Though the results thus obtained may not represent the true average value of the deposit, it is on these results that estimates of practically all large orebodies are made. In a large number of cases, the results of exploitation fall far short of the estimated value of the orebody. The standard method of making these estimates is to find the cubic contents of triangular prisms, in the apexes of which the drill holes are placed, .by multiplying the surface area by the average depth of the ore in the three drill holes and then multiplying the cubic contents by the specific gravity of the ore or rock to find the tonnage. The assay value is found by dividing the sum of the products of the depth of ore in each hole and the corresponding assay value by the sum of the depths of the ore in the three holes. As the latter part of this method is subject to many mathematical errors, it should not be depended on.. Some engineers, therefore, use a discount factor, but as this factor is either arbitrarily selected or is obtained by obscure methods, the results are no better than guesswork. The standard method is correct when the drill holes are so laid out that the triangular prisms are equilateral in cross-section. But as ore deposits cannot always be drilled into at regular intervals and because of the human factor, if many holes are drilled, triangular prisms of all degrees of angularity are produced. In such cases, it is necessary to assume that the influence of the different holes is not the same in all directions, which assumption of course is absurd.

Jan 1, 1921

By Z. Zhang, Cuihuan Huang, Zongshu Zou, Nan Wang, Xueqian Xin

"Vitrification is considered as an attractive procedure for municipal solid waste incineration ash, which can realize the volume reduction and innocent treatment of incineration ash, as well as reuse of bottom ash. The main oxide components of molten ash slag are CaO, Al2O3, SiO2, Fe2O3, MgO, and Na2O, accounting for more than 90% of the total mass. The phase relations and thermodynamic properties of the CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-FeOx-MgO-Na2O oxide system is highly required, and is of great scientific significance for optimization of vitrification processing and sustainable resource utilization of melting slag. A study on the equilibria phase relations of CaO-SiO2-MgO-FeOx system was done by using CALPHAD method based on FactSage in this paper. The modeling parameters for the thermodynamic properties of liquid phase in CaO-SiO2-MgO-FeOx system were established and the equilibrium phase relations of MgO-SiO2-FeOx and CaO-SiO2-FeOx-MgO systems were calculated for different temperatures and oxygen partial pressures.IntroductionThe main oxide components of vitrified bottom ash slag are CaO, Al2O3, SiO2, Fe2O3, MgO, and Na2O, accounting for more than 90% of the bottom ash by weight [1]. During slag processing and modification, the knowledge of thermodynamic properties and liquidus temperature in the related slag system is highly required [2-5], which is not yet available. Through literature survey [6-9], it is clear that the systematic information on the concerned complex slag system is scarce. Most binary subsystems except FeOx-Na2O have been investigated well. Among ternary subsystems, few phase relations of the Na2O-MgO-SiO2 ternary system are available. For the phase relations of the system Na2O-MgO-Al2O3, all the studies are focused on the Al2O3-rich region. Investigation on the CaO-Al2O3-FeOx system is limited to Fe2O3-containing system with relatively higher oxygen potential. Most quaternary systems are not studied well except the CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 system, mainly due to their metallurgical importance. Figure 1 demonstrates the research status of the vitrified bottom ash slag with almost zero effort [10]. The effort here is defined based on the published literature by considering the number of publications, the investigated composition ranges, and the research details. So far the engineers in the field have to make assumptions of the thermodynamic properties of the simplified oxide system, without taking into consideration the interactions of the different oxide components, which hinders the development of the slag valorization and utilization. In order to provide thermodynamic properties for the application of the vitrified bottom ash, the six-component oxide system (CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-FeOx-Na2O) will be investigated through both experimental approach and computer modeling."

Jan 1, 2011

By M. Muskat, H. H. Evinger

A METHOD of calculating productivity factors for oil, gas, and water systems in the steady state is presented as an illustration of the quantitative application of the fundamental data on the flow properties of heterogeneous- fluid systems. While the numerical results of the calculations cannot be applied directly to field conditions, because they are based on permeability data for unconsolidated sands and involve specific assumptions regarding the nature of the reservoir fluids, the methods of analysis and interpretation should have significance in considering certain specific field situations when the necessary field and laboratory data become available. Moreover, it is felt that even under the idealized conditions to which the numerical calculations refer they should serve to give at least the orders of magnitude of the effects of gas-oil ratio and connate water on observed productivity factors. Within the indicated limitations, the computations imply that the foregoing factors can explain only a part of the apparent discrepancy between the homogeneous fluid productivity factors and those obtained recently in field measurements on the West Coast.

Jan 1, 1942

By P. D. Gorsuch, D. L. Newhouse, Irvin R. Kramer

ALTHOUGH many methods have been suggested for the calculation of tensile strength and yield point from chemical composition, their usefulness has been limited to a particular cooling rate or section size. Further limitations have been imposed by failure to take into account many of the alloying elements that exert a considerable influence on the tensile strength or yield point. These systems, nevertheless, have filled an important need in many instances. The value of a system for the calculation of the tensile properties from the chemical composition and cooling rate is that it permits the prediction of the effect of alloying elements and heat-treatment on the mechanical, properties, so that more efficient use of alloying elements may be made. Furthermore, it aids in the choice of steel for a given application and tends to decrease the number of steels that otherwise would have to be tested. It is the purpose of this work to present a method of calculating tensile strength and yield point from the chemical composition and to suggest a method of correlating the tensile-strength and yield-point factors and cooling rate. Steelmakers have been interested for many years in the calculation of the tensile strength of hot-rolled steels. Quest and Washburn' summarize several of the attempts that have been made to devise formulas. They show the inadequacy of each of these formulas and present one of their own. It is apparent from their work that a simple additive equation of the type TS = A + BX + Cy + DZ + ? ? ? , where A, B, C, D, etc. are experimentally determined constants and x, y, z, etc., are the percentages of alloying elements present in the steel, is not adequate to analyze fully the situation encountered in the calculation of tensile strength. For example, it was found that the difference between the calculated and observed values became progressively greater as the carbon and manganese contents were increased. Therefore, the effect of manganese was given as a function of the carbon content. Grossmann,2 in his work on the hardenability of quenched steels, and Walters,3 in his method of calculation of tensile strength of normalized steels, present two cases in which multiplying factors were successfully used to express the combined effect of alloying elements. The factors in both cases were obtained from the fractional increase in hardenability or tensile strength with increase of alloy content. Yield point often is more important in design than tensile strength. For quenched and tempered steels a linear correlation exists between yield and tensile strength .4 This is not true, however, for normalized

Jan 1, 1946

By J. den Drijver, M. Opahle, R. Inderst

Safety reasons render necessary the advanced calculation of the amount of methane degassing from a longwall in the scope of the ventilation planning of mines. Today empirical methods, which are based on observations of operational procedures, are used for the calculation of the amount of methane. Despite of constant improvement those calculations are not always sufficient. In particular calculations which are based on operational facts but not proved by experience are not reliable. Most of all these calculation procedures lack physical-analytical descriptions of the procedure itself, presenting only the effects on important parameters such as the distance between seams in the roof or floor or gas pressure. Tschersich [Tschersich 961 developed an analytical model for an advanced calculation by analysing the degassing of seams in the roof and floor and the physical parameters of gasflow. This model might correct the lacks of existing procedures and improve the precision and reliability of additional calculations. The model simulates the emission record in seams of the roof and the floor. It takes into account not only a multitude of parameters such as the distance to adjacent seams and gas pressure but also the depth of seams, gas content, rank of carbonification, rock temperature, face advance rate, initial and succeeding mining and the face length. In order to comprehend and to verify those correlations we extended the model of Tschersich and programmed this enlarged model using the computer language C++. Aim of this research is to guarantee a much higher accuracy in calculating methane emission caused by mining. The improved planning is expected to result in more safety and better prevention of high methane con- tent in ventilation as well as in a better use of the capacity of the mining equipment. The application [Drijver, lnderst 961 of the ex- tended model will also be very useful in the course of research projects as it allows computer simulation, i.e. in-situ research can be extensively limited or even replaced.

Jan 1, 1997

By Donald Barton

THE purpose of this torsion balance survey and the quantitative calculations was to delimit the extension of the cap rock at the Hoskins Mound salt dome. The sulfur ore in the Gulf Coast sulfur-bearing salt domes occurs in the lime rock, which is the outer layer of the cap-rock mass, and also in the underlying gypsum zone. The status of the exploration and exploitation of the Hoskins Mound dome at the date of this survey is shown by Fig. 1. The mound had been covered by the very early prospect wells of the Mound Oil Co., and the later and more numerous prospect wells of The Texas Company. The Freeport Sulphur Co. was producing from the flank wells in the southwest quadrant. The limits of the cap were surmised to lie inside the centers of quad-rangles 4F, 3F, the center of the NE. ¼ of 2E, and the north line of 2D. That surmise was based partly on the data of Fig. 1 and partly on the position of the edge of the topographic mound. The management of the Freeport Sulphur Co. wished to block out the extent of its ore reserves with a minimum of expenditure. The management was informed by the writer that no geophysical method could map the presence or quantity of sulfur directly, or determine the presence and quantity of the lime-rock cap independently of the rest of the cap, but that a reasonable probability existed that the approximate position of the edge, the depth and the thickness of the cap-rock mass as a whole could be determined through quantitative calculations based on the data of a very careful torsion balance survey. Considerable lime rock would probably be present, of course, wherever much cap rock was present. This paper presents the data of the survey, our calculated prediction of the configuration of the cap rock, and the degree of confirmation by the subsequent drilling. The survey was made by the Geophysical Research Corporation, under the direction of the writer. The work of the calculations was done by Andrew Gilmour, then assistant to the writer.

Jan 1, 1936

By Andrzej Frycz

The development of the theory of reliability creates more and more possibilities of its application in different domains of technics. The methods evolved to date, both theoretical analysis of the engineering systems and investigations techniques in practice can be put in use a d translated from one science to another one [1,3,7J . It needs to consider the specific of the different sciences. But it is necessary to take account of the specific characteristic of each line of science. The reliability investigations needs, justified in technical and economical viewpoint appear too in mine ventilation technics and systems. The mine ventilation system is a complex of workings and ventilation plants, which serve to supply the networks with a sufficient quantity of fresh air from the atmosphere and then carry off the vitiated air. The condition necessary for a ventilation system to perform definite task is the correctness of all its elements, that is a capability to preserve in a expected range of tolerance, the values of basic parameters. The element of a system which ceases to work correctly is called failed. The basic parameter of all elements of a ventilation system is the characteristic curve, pressure loss - air quantity relation ?p = f(Q) (1) This curve concerning the workings and ventilation stoppings is given by the formula: ?p = R Q2 (2) thus the resistance R (of the workings or stoppings) may be taken as a characteristic parameter. The course of this characteristic f(Q) will be given in a complex form in concern with fans, ejectors, air curtains. The failure of a ventilation plant or working is therefore an event, relying on a change of its characteristic, thus for a definite time the losses of the plant's or working's capability set in for the fulfilment of its function in the ventilation system. The failures are divided in viewpoint of their nature on sudden and progressive. We are in concern with the sudden failures which are characterised by a violent change of the ventilation element parameter for example a fall of roof, or silt up of the working, opening or failure of the ventilation stopping, the stand-off of the fan or ejector etc. We distinguish two kinds of failures on the viewpoint of their action on the air flow: the "opening" failure and "closure" failure. The prevalence of factors, which causes the failures is in connection with the intersection in the mine of roads of haulage, roads of underground transport of materials and lining elements, roads of people motion with airways, as also depends on the rock pressure reaction on the workings lining and plants placed there. Other factors will yet be decisive upon supply decay of fans, ejectors and curtains. The appearance of failure of the ventilation element is therefore of random nature and determines the change of the element, when it is passing from operating state to unoperate. Qualifying the ventilation system element to one of these states is easy, when the characteristic change is clear and occurs suddenly, that was assumed. The investigations conducted by Patrushev and Karnaukh [91 in concern with the ventilation stoppings resistance change in the case of their opening, had shown the possibility of resistance value change in the range of several hundreds higher.

Jan 1, 1980

By Paul H. Muller

The configuration of remote seal DP cells for specific gravity measurement is described and the calculations for calibration are presented. The error induced by ambient temperature change is investigated as it relates to capillary dynamics and electronic considerations. Instrument specifications are discussed in the light of accuracy requirements and the calculation of error vs. ambient temperature is described.

Jan 1, 1984

By C. W. Greenhalgh

THE accuracy with which grade and tonnage of a mineral deposit may be calculated from diamond-drill assays is dependent upon: (I) the reliability of core and sludge samples and (2) the validity of methods used in grade and tonnage calculations. Limitations imposed by drilling and sampling preclude elaborate methods of computation. In adjusting core and sludge assays the importance assigned the core and sludge samples may be based on either the respective weights recovered or the respective volumes represented by each. Only when core and sludge recoveries are poor do discrepancies between adjusted assays calculated by these two methods develop, in which case the "weight" method gives emphasis to the core sample and the "volume" method gives emphasis to the sludge sample. When the sludge suffers classification within the drill hole, the weight method gives more accurate results; when the sludge sample suffers no classification, the volume method gives more accurate results. Any drilling campaign offers a compromise between desired accuracy on the one hand and expediency, limited time, money, or facilities on the other. Since the determination of grade and tonnage is an approximation at best, a proper basis for their computation requires a knowledge of the limitations imposed by all phases of work upon which the calculations depend. A rational basis for coordination of these phases of work requires determination of: (I) the degree of accuracy desired, as a function of the object of examination; (2) the degree of accuracy attainable, as a function of the limitations imposed in the drilling and sampling program; and (3) the validity of method to be used in calculating grade and tonnage from core and sludge assays. This paper presents results of a comparison made between two commonly used methods of adjusting core and sludge assays, the assumptions upon which these methods are based, and the interrelationship of the phases of work upon which these calculations are dependent. OBJECT OF EXAMINATION The purpose of prospecting any mineral deposit is to secure sufficient samples from which ore grade and tonnage may be calculated. Any mine examination, preliminary or formal, has a definite purpose, although its scope may be limited or broad. The type of examination to be conducted is dependent, therefore, upon the reason for instituting the investigation; its scope and thoroughness are directly related to economic considerations. It is highly desirable, therefore, that before starting a drilling campaign a complete understanding of the extent of examination and desired degree of accuracy be determined as a means of simplifying the drilling program and unifying the relative degree of

Jan 1, 1946

By A. H. Lee

Discussion of the paper of H. P. HOWLAND, printed in Bulletin No. 111, March, 1916, pp. 627 to 650. A. H. LEE, Buffalo, N. Y. (communication to the Secretary*). The statements and results recorded in Mr. Howland's paper can be accounted for by the use of coke with a low sulphur content (0.60 and under). This allows the furnaces to be run on a small volume of acid slag, which it is presumed was done in Mr. Howland's practice. H. A. Brassert has admitted that this was the largest factor in low fuel consumption in his practice. Where the coke contains from 1.00 to 1.25 per cent. of sulphur the situation is quite different and I doubt whether the results mentioned by Mr. Howland could be obtained under such circumstances. ` N. M. LANGDON, Mancelona, Mich. (communication to the Secretary + ).-Gruner's ideal working (which is but a statement of the law first enunciated by Bell) as given in Gordon's Translation of Studies of Blast Furnace Phenomena, "supposes that the reduction of the oxide of iron is effected by the CO only, without intervention of solid carbon." This ideal, if reached, would mean theoretically perfect or 100 per cent. efficiency of reduction. The workings of the large number of furnaces as given in Bell's and Gruner's great works do not show that this standard of perfection ever was reached. This problem has been worked out by the writer for a number of furnaces, and his results, as well as those given by others, all show a failure to reach perfection. Some furnaces, however, approach nearer to perfection than others. The "ideal" as given by Gruner was not stated as a solved problem in blast-furnace practice, but as an ideal to the attainment of which furnace managers should strive. A study of the factors involved from every angle is interesting and instructive and the paper on this subject contributed by H. P. Howland is no exception to the rule. This article is fairly open to criticism, not because of the unique method of presenting the subject, but for the reason that, as the writer conceives, erroneous assumptions are taken which lead naturally to incorrect conclusions.

Jan 7, 1916

Prof. Mathesius analyzes the running of Howland's furnace No. 19, according to the method described by him in Stahl and Eisen, 1916, Nos. 30 and, 31, and in his work "Die physikalischen und chemischen Grundlagen den Eisenhüttenwesens" (Spamer, Leipzig). By assuming 500 Cal. lost from the hearth by radiation and cooling water per kilogram of pig iron made, a throat-gas temperature of 600° C., and taking the ratio of C02/CO as 0.64, he finds that his diagram would show 0.68 kg. of carbon oxidized per kilogram of pig iron, while Howland gives 0.66 kg. He expresses himself as well satisfied with this test of the accuracy of his theory. Making the further assumption that the heat losses from the shaft are 1,000 Cal. per kilogram of pig iron (twice as

Jan 5, 1917

By W. H. Blauvelt

W. H. BLAUVELT, Syracuse, N. Y. (communication to the Secretary*).-I have read Mr. Howland's paper on Calculations with Reference to the Use of Carbon in Modern American Blast Furnaces with much interest, and believe that his method of analysis of the subject will be of material assistance in our study of the action of coke in the blast furnace. Mr. Howland quotes Professor Richards' statement that from the standpoint of the generation of the maximum quantity of heat in the furnace, Grüner was right in saying that all the carbon burned in the furnace should be first oxidized at the tuyères to CO and all reduction of oxides above the tuyères should be caused by CO, which thus becomes CO2. It is clear that the maximum quantity of heat is generated in the furnace when the greatest amount of carbon is burned to CO2 irrespective of whether it is burned at the tuyères or further up the furnace. So it would appear that Grüner's theory is sound regarding the maximum production of heat only because if all the carbon is burned to CO at the tuyères the reduction of the ores will have to be effected by the further oxidation to CO2. Whereas, if the reduction of the ores is effected in part by solid carbon, part of this carbon might be oxidized only to CO, resulting in a higher percentage of CO in the escaping gases than from Grüner's "ideal conditions.? But in studying the combustion of coke in the furnace, it is clear that the production of the maximum quantity of heat is not of the first importance in blast-furnace operation, or in the utilization of the fuel charged into the furnace. To my mind the production of a high thermal head at the tuyères is of the first importance, and the best coke is that which reaches the tuyères in proper condition to produce the highest temperature at the tuyères, and in just sufficient quantity to do the amount of work required there under the conditions produced by this maximum temperature. The combustion of a much larger amount of fuel at the tuyères, under conditions that will fall short of producing the highest possible temperature, cannot produce as good results, either in fuel economy or output. If this statement is correct, does it not correspond with Mr. Howland's statement that too much wind is inimical to low coke consumption? Nothing is more fatal to obtaining the highest temperatures than an excess of air for combustion. In the blast furnace an excess of air dilutes and cools the products of combus-

Jan 10, 1916

By William W. Edgerton

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), and the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency (Alameda CMA) are involved in a unique partnership on the planning and design of the fourth bore of the Caldecott Tunnel, located on State Route 24 in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The project will add a two-lane bore north of the existing three bores. The project will alleviate traffic congestion in the non-peak direction. This paper provides background on the existing facility, summarizes the need for the new fourth bore, describes the proposed improvements, sets forth the approach for project delivery, and lists some of the challenges that are expected during construction.

Jan 1, 2008

By Rolando Campos

Until 1970, the Caletones Smelter of CODELCO-CHILE, División El Teniente, operated under the conventional pyrometallurgical process used by most of copper smelters. The annual copper production varied around 165.000 tons. The failure in the commissioning of the "oxygen smelting" technology in Peirce- Smith converters (1970-1972), forced further introduction of transcendental changes in the Caletones smelter operating scheme. Implemented technological innovations were based on wide studies and research works performed by División El Teniente. This paper presents a summary of technological modifications introduced, their impact on production and energetic performances, and short and medium terms improvement plans.

Jan 1, 1993

By Luis Suescun, Robin Dufour, Jorge Zafra

La minería a tajo abierto es una actividad económica relevante en varios países del mundo, incluyendo Perú. Sin embargo, esta actividad puede tener un impacto significativo en el medio ambiente y en la calidad del agua subterránea, especialmente si no se toman medidas adecuadas de manejo y monitoreo de la hidrogeología local. Por esta razón, los estudios hidrogeológicos son esenciales para comprender la fase operación de la minería a tajo abierto y los efectos que con la ejecución se pueden presentar en los recursos hídricos superficiales y subterráneos, y para diseñar estrategias de mitigación, optimización y operación de los proyectos mineros.

Sep 29, 2023

By C. Banff, E. C. F. Hamman, J. Venter

Open pit slope stability analyses for large scale instabilities are often carried out using limit equilibrium, finite element or finite difference computer programs. All of these require empirical estimates of rock mass shear strength when calibrated values are not available, which is a common occurrence. A common method of estimating rock mass shear strength is the Hoek-Brown failure criterion, which often over- or underestimates rock mass shear strength when used in limit equilibrium or elastic linearly plastic slope stability analyses, resulting in published alternative estimates for the coefficients of the Hoek-Brown failure criterion. This paper investigates the differences between limit equilibrium and elastic linearly plastic slope stability analysis based on the Hoek-Brown failure criterion. The investigation consisted of a comparison of 3840 RS2 finite element analysis models completed with strain softening, and 216 Slide2 limit equilibrium models. The models were used to evaluate a methodology to determine equivalent limit equilibrium and elastic linearly plastic shear strength parameters that provide the same stable slope angles and instability back break distances as the more representative strain softening stress analysis methods. This paper presents the methodology and compiles the results into design charts and equations for equivalent limit equilibrium Mohr-Coulomb shear strength parameters, that simplify calibration against actual case studies. The results compare well with older empirical shear strength estimates, however, a detailed calibration of the results against case studies will need to be carried out. The analysis also did not consider pore pressure effects; this is left for future publication.

Sep 1, 2025

Judicious placement of a range of geotechnical instruments was employed at the Tasmania gold mine, Beaconsfield, Tasmania, as a key strategy in the monitoring of rock mass conditions over the past four years. The range of instruments employed included vibrating wire stress-meters and hollow inclusion cells to monitor changing stress conditions, resistance wire and multipoint borehole extensometers to monitor the impact of stress changes on the integrity of the rock mass, and instrumented cable bolts and threadbar bolts to monitor the static and dynamic impact of rock mass changes on the installed ground control system. Initially the monitoring was of a qualitative nature, monitoring change from the time of installation. The value of the output was considerable when considered in relation to the ongoing seismic record which was also being monitored. It was clear from the seismic record and the monitoring results that stope blasting was the primary trigger for changing rock mass conditions. However, it was unclear how well observed behaviour was reflecting conditions anticipated by elastic numerical modelling. The latter had predicted significant stress increase in the near field of man-access footwall development. Qualitative monitoring and visual inspection did not support the modelling prediction, and this led to a program of quantitative measurement being undertaken. Measurement of the absolute stress condition in the backs of footwall development immediately adjacent to monitoring hollow inclusion cells provided the benchmark for tracking quantitative stress change. The program provided insight into the evolution of principal stress field magnitude and orientation in relation to rock mass change observed with extensometers and instrumented ground control elements, as well as providing a degree of calibration between the elastic numerical modelling and the virgin stress field. Calibrated monitoring data has also provided a useful benchmark for finite element modelling which is to be used for future mine-wide design.

Nov 25, 2010