Study of Stress Concentration on the Contour of Underground Mine Workings

Abstract

Kryvyi Rih iron ore basin consists of complex structured ore deposits and is developed by the underground method at depths of over 1000 m. The underground method is used to mine reserves of rich iron ores with a useful component content of more than 59% applying bulk ore and rock caving systems. This leads to significant changes in the stress state of the rock massif. During underground operations, mine workings are strained and in some cases destructed. As a result, enterprises are constantly increasing operating costs for maintaining mine workings, which adversely impacts the cost of production. Industrial research results demonstrate that in most cases workings fail in their upper part which is vaulted in shape. Available methods for determining the state of rocks around mine workings do not fully take into account physical and mechanical properties of the rocks in which the working is located. The developed technique allows determining not only the destructive pressure impacting the workings, but also the angle at which the destructive force acts. This technique differs from the available ones in taking into account not only mining and geological characteristics of the deposit, but also most factors of physical and mechanical properties of rocks. This technique helps to choose a rational place for driving mine workings at the stage of design, thus avoiding significant additional cost for their maintenance.