Numerical simulation for influence of excavation and blasting vibration on stability of mined-out area

Abstract

Dynamic analysis steps and general flow of fast lagrangian analysis of continua in 3 dimensions (FLAC3D) were discussed. Numerical simulation for influence of excavation and blasting vibration on stability of mined-out area was carried out with FLAC3D. The whole analytical process was divided into two steps, including the static analysis and the dynamic analysis which were used to simulate the influence of excavation process and blasting vibration respectively. The results show that the shape of right upper boundary is extremely irregular after excavation, and stress concentration occurs at many places and higher tensile stress appears. The maximum tensile stress is higher than the tensile strength of rock mass, and surrounding rock of right roof will be damaged with tension fracture. The maximum displacement of surrounding rock is 4.75 mm after excavation. However, the maximum displacement increases to 5.47 mm after the blasting dynamic load is applied. And the covering area of plastic zones expands obviously, especially at the foot of right upper slope. The analytical results are in basic accordance with the observed results on the whole. Damage and disturbance on surrounding rock to some degree are caused by excavation, while blasting dynamic load increases the possibility of occurrence of dynamic instability and destruction further. So the effective supporting and vibration reducing measures should be taken during mining.

Keywords

mined-out area / excavation process / blasting vibration / stability / numerical simulation / FLAC3D