Fracture control in the hangingwall and the interaction between the support system and the overlying strata
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Date
2015-01-27
Authors
Herrmann, Dean Albert.
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Abstract
Stress-induced rock fracture is common in deep-level
gold mines. Various orientations of fractures result in
the formation of unstable blocks of rock which can be a
danger and hindrance to mining activities. A study of
the effects of an alteration in stope geometry and the
influence of two different support systems on the
overlying strata was performed. The stresses developed
in the rock above an active support load were found to
be significantly higher than those predicted by elastic
theory. The cutting of a hanging wall dip slot in the
back areas of a stope and the allowing of progressive
collapse of the strata has been shown to cause large
tensile strain changes in the hanging wall and to steepen
the dip of extension fractures. Such procedures can be
employed to produce competent, stable hanging wall
conditions.