Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Determination and Assessment of Parameters Influencing Rock Mass Cavability in Block Caving Mines Using the Probabilistic Rock Engineering System

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Mining methods such as block caving or sublevel caving rely on the characteristics of the rock mass to cave efficiently to fulfill an economical production. The identification of influencing parameters and cavability assessment are, thus, a prime geotechnical focus for all potential caving projects. In the caving operation, many factors, such as natural and induced factors, affect the caving performance. In this study, after discussing the caving process and identifying all effective parameters, the interaction matrix based on the rock engineering system (RES) is introduced to study the influencing parameters in rock mass cavability. The interaction matrix analyzes the interrelationship between the parameters affecting rock engineering activities. As the interaction matrix codes are not unique, probabilistic coding can be performed non-deterministically, allowing consideration of uncertainties in the RES analysis. As a result, the parameters with the highest probability of being dominant or subordinate, and also the parameters with the highest probability of being interactive, are introduced. The proposed approach could be a simple but efficient tool in the evaluation of the parameters affecting the cavability of rock mass in block caving mines and, hence, useful in decision-making under uncertainties.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Brady BHG, Brown ET (2004) Rock mechanics for underground mining. Springer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown ET (2007) Block caving geomechanics. International Caving Study 1997–2004. Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre, The University of Queensland

  • Budetta P, Santo A, Vivenzio F (2008) Landslide hazard mapping along the coastline of the Cilento region (Italy) by means of a GIS-based parameter rating approach. Geomorphology 94(3):340–352

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butcher RJ (2000) Block cave undercutting—aims, strategies, methods and management. Proc MassMin 2000:405–411

    Google Scholar 

  • Diering JAC, Laubscher DH (1987) Practical approach to the numerical stress analysis of mass mining operations. Institution of Mining and Metallurgy Transactions, Section A: Mining Industry, vol 96

  • Heslop TG, Laubscher DH (1981) Draw control in caving operations on Southern African chrysotile asbestos mines. Design and operation of caving and sublevel stoping mines, pp 775–774

  • Hudson JA (1992) Rock engineering systems, theory and practice. Ellis Horwood, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Hudson JA, Harrison JP (1992) A new approach to studying complete rock engineering problems. Quart J Eng Geol Hydrogeol 25(2):93–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiao Y, Hudson JA (1995) The fully-coupled model for rock engineering systems. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abs 32:491–512

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiao Y, Hudson JA (1998) Identifying the critical mechanisms for rock engineering design. Geotechnique 48(3):319–335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Julian DE (1974) Future developments in block caving. Skillings Mining Review, pp 12–15

  • Kendorski FS (1978) Cavability of ore deposits. Min Eng 30:628-631

    Google Scholar 

  • Laubscher DH (1990) A geomechanics classification system for the rating of rock mass in mine design. J S Afr Inst Metall 90(10):267–273

    Google Scholar 

  • Laubscher DH (1994) Cave mining—the state of the art. J S Afr Inst Min Metall 94(10):2279

    Google Scholar 

  • Laubscher D (2000a) A practical guide manual on block caving. International Caving Study (1997–2000). Capitulo, pp 1–3

  • Laubscher DH (2000b) A practical manual on block caving. Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre, Brisbane

    Google Scholar 

  • Laubscher DH (2003) Cave mining handbook. De Beers, Johannesburg

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorig LJ, Board MP, Potyondy DO, Coetzee MJ (1995) Numerical modelling of caving using continuum and micro-mechanical models. In: Proceedings of CAMr95: 3rd Canadian conference on computer applications in the minerals Industry, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, October 1995

  • Mahtab MA, Dixon JD (1976) Influence of rock fractures and block boundary weakening on cavability. Trans Soc Min Eng AIME 260:6–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Mawdesley C (2002) Predicting rock mass cavability in block caving mines. Ph.D. thesis, University of Queensland

  • Mawdesley C, Trueman R, Whiten W (2001) Extending the Mathews stability graph for open-stope design. Transactions of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, Mining Technology, Section A, pp 27–39

  • Obert L, Munson R, Rich C (1976) Caving properties of the Climax ore body. Trans Soc Min Eng AIME 260:129–133

    Google Scholar 

  • Rozos D, Pyrgiotis L, Skias S, Tsagaratos P (2008) An implementation of rock engineering system for ranking the instability potential of natural slopes in Greek territory. An application in Karditsa County. Landslides 5(3):261–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sainsbury B-A (2012) A model for cave propagation and subsidence assessment in jointed rock masses. Doctoral dissertation, the University of New South Wales

  • Shang YJ, Wang SJ, Li GC, Yang ZF (2000) Retrospective case example using a comprehensive suitability index (CSI) for siting the Shisan-Ling power station, China. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 37(5):839–853

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van As A, Jeffrey RG (2000) Hydraulic fracturing as a cave inducement technique at Northparkes Mines. Proc MassMin 2000:165–172

    Google Scholar 

  • White DH (1977) Predicting fragmentation characteristics of a block caving orebody. M.Sc. thesis, University of Arizona

  • Yang Y-J, Zhang Q (1998) The application of neural networks to rock engineering systems (RES). Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 35(6):727–745

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Younessi A, Rasouli V (2010) A fracture sliding potential index for wellbore stability analysis. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 47(6):927–939

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zare Naghadehi M, Jimenez R, KhaloKakaie R, Jalali S-ME (2011) A probabilistic systems methodology to analyze the importance of factors affecting the stability of rock slopes. Eng Geol 118(3):82–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zare Naghadehi M, Jimenez R, KhaloKakaie R, Jalali S-ME (2013) A new open-pit mine slope instability index defined using the improved rock engineering systems approach. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 61:1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang LQ, Yang ZF, Liao QL, Chen J (2004) An application of the rock engineering systems (RES) methodology in rockfall hazard assessment on the Chengdu-Lhasa Highway, China. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 41:833–838

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Islamic Republic of Iran

    Ramin Rafiee, Mohammad Ataei, Reza Khalokakaie, Seyed Mohammad Esmaeil Jalali & Farhang Sereshki

Authors
  1. Ramin Rafiee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mohammad Ataei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Reza Khalokakaie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Seyed Mohammad Esmaeil Jalali
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Farhang Sereshki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ramin Rafiee.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rafiee, R., Ataei, M., Khalokakaie, R. et al. Determination and Assessment of Parameters Influencing Rock Mass Cavability in Block Caving Mines Using the Probabilistic Rock Engineering System. Rock Mech Rock Eng 48, 1207–1220 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-014-0614-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-014-0614-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation