Development of a new methodology for evaluating rock support performance in seismically active mines

Important results from the project

The aim of this project was achieved. Methodologies used to find reliable relationships between the seismic source and the damages to the excavations and the rock support were developed. In detail, new methods for evaluating rock support performance, forensic evaluation, and for identifying dynamic demand on rock support were developed. By implementing the methodologies in practice, the number of production disturbances, and the risk for personnel injury and production losses could be reduced.

Expected long term effects

A forensic manual which can serve as a main guideline for future forensic investigation of rockbursts. Monitoring methodology/procedures for instrumentation design. Methodology for analysis of seismic data for large damaging events. Methodology, software and numerical model for determination of wave attenuation and scaling law in near- and far-field. Numerical modelling methodologies for investigating response of underground openings and its rock support system to seismic loading. New ground control strategies in Swedish seismically active mines.

Approach and implementation

The study comprised: forensic investigation, field monitoring and analysis. Six damaging seismic events were investigated by using an innovative method, namely forensic investigation. Different types of instrumentation were installed at three mines and four damaging seismic events occurred at/near the instrumented sites. The results from the forensic investigations combined with the field monitoring data were analysed and integrated to develop new methods to evaluate the rock support performance.