Numerical investigation of EDZ development around a deep polymetallic ore mine

Abstract : This paper deals with the development of a non-linear constitutive model of rock mass and its verification to predict a damaged zone. Simulations of triaxial compressions provide a verification of the implementation with a good agreement between predictions and theoretical values of peak and residual strengths as well as the transition between brittle failure and ductile response. The applicability of the model to predict potential failure around stopes of a deep polymetallic ore mine is checked and highlighted the interest to consider more realistic rheology of hard rock masses compared with the elastic perfectly plastic models of underground deep mines.