Extension of Analytical Solution Methods to the Stability of Exposed Stratified Cemented Backfills
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 24, Issue 8
Abstract
The stability analysis of the backfill support system has been a significant analysis of stope performance in stoping mining method. For the past decades, the strength of exposed backfill was preferred to be conducted using analytical solutions based on the limit equilibrium theory. Nevertheless, these solutions have neglected the effect of layering that is endured by the backfill in the large stope. These methods appear to provide unrealistic results in stratified backfill stopes. This study introduces a modified solution that considers the shearing force along the backfill layers interface. The proposed solution method confirms that when the effect of layering is included the solution differs from the existing limit equilibrium solutions. Various examples are provided to validate the proposed analytical solution method.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
All data (safety factors from the analytical solutions) and mathematical models that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the University of South Africa for supporting this work. This study did not receive any specific grant from any funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Author contributions: Nhleko Monique Chiloane Original draft preparation, Conceptualization: Fhatuwani Sengani Writing- reviewing, and editing, Supervision: Francois Mulenga Supervision, Validation.
References
Belem, T., M. Benzaazoua, and B. Bussiere. 2000. “Mechanical behaviour of cemented paste backfill.” In Proc., 53rd Annual Conf. Canadian Geotechnical Society Montreal, 373–380. Montreal: Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS).
Cao, S., W. Song, and E. Yilmaz. 2018. “Influence of structural factors on uniaxial compressive strength of cemented tailings backfill.” Constr. Build. Mater. 174: 190–201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.04.126.
Chen, S., A. Jin, Y. Zhao, H. Li, and J. Wang. 2022. “Mechanical properties and deformation mechanism of stratified cemented tailings backfill under unconfined compression.” Constr. Build. Mater. 335: 127205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127205.
Du, Z., S. Chen, S. Wang, R. Liu, D. Yao, and H. Mitri. 2021. “Influence of binder types and temperatures on the mechanical properties and microstructure of cemented paste backfill.” Adv. Underground Mine Backfill 2021: 652176. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6652176.
Fu, J., J. Wang, and W. Song. 2020. “Damage constitutive model and strength criterion of cemented paste backfill based on layered effect considerations.” J. Mater. Res. Technol. 9 (3): 6073–6084. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2020.04.011.
Fall, M., and O. Nasir. 2010. “Mechanical behavior of the interface between cemented tailings backfill and retaining structures under shear loads.” Geotech. Geol. Eng. 28 (6): 779–790.
Grabinsky, M., W. Bawden, and B. Thompson. 2021. “Required plug strength for continuously poured cemented paste backfill in longhole stopes.” Mining 1: 80–99. https://doi.org/10.3390/mining1010006.
Hou, C., L. Yang, L. Li, and B. Yan. 2022. “Mechanical characteristics and stress evolution of cemented paste backfill: Effect of curing time, solid content, and binder content.” Front. Mater. 8: 812402. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2021.812402.
Jahanbakhshzadeh, A., M. Aubertin, and L. Li. 2017. “A new analytical solution for the stress state in inclined backfilled mine stopes.” Geotech. Geol. Eng. 35 (3): 1151–1167. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-017-0171-6.
Kelemenová, T., M. Dovica, P. Bozek, I. Kolarokova, O. Benedik, I. Virgala, E. Prada, L. Mikova, T. Kot, and M. Kelemen. 2020. “Specific problems in measurement of coefficient of friction using variable incidence tribometer.” Symmetry 12 (8): 1235. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym12081235.
Koupouli, N. J., T. Belem, P. Rivard, and H. Effenguet. 2016. “Direct shear tests on cemented paste backfill–rock wall and cemented paste backfill–backfill interfaces.” J. Rock Mech. Geotech. Eng. 8 (4): 472–479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2016.02.001.
Li, L. 2014a. “Generalised solution for mining backfill design.” Int. J. Geomech. 14 (3): 04014006. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000329.
Li, L. 2014b. “Analytical solution for determining the required strength of a side-exposed mine backfill containing a plug.” Can. Geotech. J. 51 (5), 508–519. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2013-0227.
Li, L., and M. Aubertin. 2009. “A three-dimensional analysis of the total and effective stresses in submerged backfilled stopes.” Geotech. Geol. Eng. 27 (4): 559–569. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-009-9257-0.
Li, L., and M. Aubertin. 2012. “A modified solution to assess the required strength of exposed backfill in mine stopes.” Can. Geotech. J. 49 (8): 994–1002. https://doi.org/10.1139/t2012-056.
Li, L., and M. Aubertin. 2014. “An improved method to assess the required strength of cemented backfill in underground stopes with an open face.” Int. J. Min. Sci. Technol. 24: 549–558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2014.05.020.
Liu, G., L. Li, X. Yang, and L. Guo. 2016. “Stability analyses of vertically exposed cemented backfill: A revisit to Mitchell’s physical model tests.” Int. J. Min. Sci. Technol. 26 (6): 1135–1144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2016.09.024.
Liu, G., L. Li, X. Yang, and L. Guo. 2018. “Required strength estimation of a cemented backfill with the front wall exposed and back wall pressured.” Int. J. Min. Miner. Eng. 9 (1): 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMME.2018.091214.
Liu, G. S., X. C. Yang, A. Pan, L. J. Guo, and L. Li. 2019. “Required strength evaluation model and its application for vertically exposed backfill: Inspired by Mitchell’s physical model tests.” In Paste 2019: Proc., 22nd Int. Conf. Paste, Thickened and Filtered Tailings, edited by A. J. C. Paterson, A. B. Fourie, and D. Reid, 451–463. Perth: Australian Centre for Geomechanics.
Mitchell, R. J., R. S. Olsen, and J. D. Smith. 1982. “Model studies on cemented tailings used in mine backfill.” Can. Geotech. J. 19 (1): 14–28. https://doi.org/10.1139/t82-002.
Page, P., L. Li, P. Yang, and R. Simon. 2019. “Numerical investigation of the stability of a base-exposed sill mat made of cemented backfill.” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 114: 195–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2018.10.008.
Pengyu, Y., and L. Li. 2015. “Investigation of the short-term stress distribution in stopes and drifts backfilled with cemented paste backfill.” Int. J. Min. Sci. Technol. 25 (5): 721–728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2015.07.004.
Pirapakaran, K., and N. Sivakugan. 2006. “Numerical and Experi-mental Studies of Arching Effects Within Mine Fill Stopes.” In Vol. 2 of Proc., 6th Int. Conf. on Physical Model-ling in Geotechnics. Hong Kong, 1519–1525. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Porathur, J. L., S. Sekhar, A. K. Godugu, and S. Bhargava. 2022. “Stability analysis of a free-standing backfill wall and a predictive equation for estimating the required strength of a backfill material – A numerical modelling approach.” J. South. Afr. Inst. Min. Metall. 122 (5), https://doi.org/10.17159/2411-9717/1544/2022.
Stacey, T. R. 2001. Best practice rock engineering handbook for “other” mines. Johannesburg: The Safety in Mines Research Advisory Committee.
Qi, C., L. Guo, Y. Wu, Q. Zhang, and Q. Chen. 2022. “Stability evaluation of layered backfill considering filling interval, backfill strength and creep behaviour.” Minerals 12 (271). https://doi.org/10.3390/min12020271.
Wang, J., W. Song, S. Cao, and Y. Tan. 2019. “Mechanical properties and failure modes of stratified backfill under triaxial cyclic loading and unloading.” Int. J. Min. Sci. Technol. 29 (5): 809–814. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2018.04.001.
Wang, J., J. Fu, and W. Song. 2020. “Mechanical properties and microstructure of layered cemented paste backfill under triaxial cyclic loading and unloading.” Constr. Build. Mater. 257: 119540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119540.
Wang, R., F. Zeng, and L. Li. 2021. “Stability analyses of the side-exposed backfill considering mine depth and extraction of adjacent stope.” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 142: 104735. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2021.104735.
Wickland, B., G. W. Wilson, D. Wijewickreme, and B. Klein. 2006. “Design and evaluation of mixtures of mine waste rock and tailings.” Can. Geotech. J. 43 (9): 928–945. https://doi.org/10.1139/t06-058.
Xu, W., Y. Cao, and B. Liu. 2019. “Strength efficiency evaluation of cemented tailings backfill with different stratified structures.” Eng. Struct. 180: 18–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.11.030.
Yang, P., L. Li, and M. Aubertin. 2017. “A new solution to assess the required strength of mine backfill with a vertical exposure.” Int. J. Geomech. 17 (10): 04017084. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000975.
Yilmaz, E. 2018. “Stope depth effect on field behaviour and performance of cemented paste backfills.” Int. J. Min. Reclam. Environ. 32 (4): 273–296. https://doi.org/10.1080/17480930.2017.1285858.
Yin, S., A. Wu, K. Hu, Y. Wang, and Y. Zhang. 2012. “The effect of solid components on the rheological and mechanical properties of cemented paste backfill.” Miner. Eng. 35: 61–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2012.04.008.
Zhang, C., J. Fu, W. Song, M. Kang, T. Li, and N. Wang. 2022. “Analysis on mechanical behavior and failure characteristics of layered cemented paste backfill (LCPB) under triaxial compression.” Constr. Build. Mater. 324: 126631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.126631.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 13, 2023
Accepted: Feb 2, 2024
Published online: May 17, 2024
Published in print: Aug 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Oct 17, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Backfills
- Business management
- Cement
- Concrete
- Construction engineering
- Construction methods
- Continuum mechanics
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering materials (by type)
- Engineering mechanics
- Equilibrium
- Excavation
- Forces (type)
- Limit equilibrium
- Materials engineering
- Methodology (by type)
- Practice and Profession
- Public administration
- Public health and safety
- Research methods (by type)
- Safety
- Shear forces
- Solid mechanics
- Statics (mechanics)
- Validation
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.