Page 484 - Rock Mechanics For Underground Mining

LONGWALL AND CAVING MINING METHODS

Figure 15.32 Distinct element sim-
ulation of block caving (after Voegele
et al., 1978).

Some of the mechanisms by which caving and arching may occur are illustrated
by the simple and idealised distinct element simulation shown in Figure 15.32.
Each pair of drawings in Figure 15.32 represent the geometric configuration of the
blocks and the inter-block contact force vectors at different stages in the progres-
sive caving of the mass. Note that two apparently independent arches form where
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