Numerical simulation of adjacent stope interaction and parametric analysis of the creep behavior of rock mass

With the development of deep mining and cemented paste backfill (CPB), high stress or soft-rock mines often encounter conditions that emphasize the creep behavior of rock mass (CBRM). This paper presents numerical models to analyze the interaction between excavation and backfill of adjacent stopes while considering CBRM. Results indicated that stope excavation and backfill had an important influence on the stress and displacement distribution of a previously backfilled adjacent stope. The excavation and backfill of the second stope also affected the horizontal and vertical displacement of the first stope. For example, in the adjacent stopes case, the maximum downward displacement of the first stope was 10.1 cm, compared to 6.7 cm for a single stope. Similarly, the maximum upward displacement increased from 21.6 cm for a single stope to 22.8 cm following the excavation and backfill of a neighboring stope. Moreover, the numerical models were used to analyze the influence of pillar width and filling interval time on the stability of adjacent stopes. In general, the study aimed to understand the effects of creep behavior on adjacent stopes in underground backfill engineering and provide suggestions for real-life engineering applications.(c) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).