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Geotechnical and Geological Engineering

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16-01-2020 | Original Paper

A Simple Time-Dependent Chart of Extension Fracture Initiation within Brittle Homogenous and Heterogeneous Rock Pillars in Hard Rock Mining

Author: Fhatuwani Sengani

Published in: Geotechnical and Geological Engineering | Issue 3/2020

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Abstract

A simple empirical time-dependent chart of extension fracture initiation is described. The chart was developed using simple borehole periscope observations within the rib pillars, focusing on monitoring the initiations of extension fracture. Nevertheless, the periscope was conducted time to time for the duration of a month, within brittle homogenous and heterogeneous rock pillars (rib pillar). The chart is suitable for predicting extension fracture initiations and extends of fracturing as time progress, predicting the allowable time to install an effective support system and be able to estimate the stability of the rib pillars within a brittle homogenous and heterogeneous rib pillars in a high stress environment. Two practical application and examples of the chart are described. These are firstly, an alternative way of estimating the rib pillar strength and secondly, predicting the maximum allowable time for an effective support installation along the rib pillar.

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Title: A Simple Time-Dependent Chart of Extension Fracture Initiation within Brittle Homogenous and Heterogeneous Rock Pillars in Hard Rock Mining
Author: Fhatuwani Sengani
Publication date: 16-01-2020
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: Geotechnical and Geological Engineering / Issue 3/2020
Print ISSN: 0960-3182
Electronic ISSN: 1573-1529
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-020-01188-7

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