Collaborative optimization of the Mathews stability graph method and numerical simulation for the limit exposure area in stope

Abstract Significant hanging wall exposure in stopes of underground iron mines with inclined orebodies affects mine safety and efficiency. An extended Mathews stability graph method, combined with numerical simulations, was employed to evaluate stope stability. Rock mass quality was assessed using t...

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Main Authors: Chunlin You, Jianhua Hu, Jianing Li, Jiwei Zhang, Zhonghua Qi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11280-8
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author Chunlin You
Jianhua Hu
Jianing Li
Jiwei Zhang
Zhonghua Qi
author_facet Chunlin You
Jianhua Hu
Jianing Li
Jiwei Zhang
Zhonghua Qi
author_sort Chunlin You
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Significant hanging wall exposure in stopes of underground iron mines with inclined orebodies affects mine safety and efficiency. An extended Mathews stability graph method, combined with numerical simulations, was employed to evaluate stope stability. Rock mass quality was assessed using the RMR grading system and Q′ values. Stability probabilities were determined by fitting stability isoprobability lines on the Mathews stability graph and analyzing exposure time, along with FLAC3D modeling to analyze the mechanical response of different exposure areas. The results showed that the expanded Mathews stability graph could determine the stability probability of various exposure areas. Increasing the stope length under the same exposure area improved stress distribution and reduced plastic destruction. Reducing exposure time enhanced stope stability. Numerical simulations suggested optimal exposure areas and structural parameters: 30 m × 15 m and 40 m × 12.5 m, with a maximum exposure time of 3 months and corresponding limit exposure areas of 450 m2 and 500 m2, respectively. These findings effectively improved the stability and safety of the stopes.
format Article
id doaj-art-ddee8f96f15d4a259b247ddd1c0738b9
institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-ddee8f96f15d4a259b247ddd1c0738b92025-08-20T04:03:06ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-11280-8Collaborative optimization of the Mathews stability graph method and numerical simulation for the limit exposure area in stopeChunlin You0Jianhua Hu1Jianing Li2Jiwei Zhang3Zhonghua Qi4Zijin School of Geology and Mining, Fuzhou UniversityZijin School of Geology and Mining, Fuzhou UniversityCollege of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou UniversityShandong Hualian Mining Co., Ltd.Shandong Hualian Mining Co., Ltd.Abstract Significant hanging wall exposure in stopes of underground iron mines with inclined orebodies affects mine safety and efficiency. An extended Mathews stability graph method, combined with numerical simulations, was employed to evaluate stope stability. Rock mass quality was assessed using the RMR grading system and Q′ values. Stability probabilities were determined by fitting stability isoprobability lines on the Mathews stability graph and analyzing exposure time, along with FLAC3D modeling to analyze the mechanical response of different exposure areas. The results showed that the expanded Mathews stability graph could determine the stability probability of various exposure areas. Increasing the stope length under the same exposure area improved stress distribution and reduced plastic destruction. Reducing exposure time enhanced stope stability. Numerical simulations suggested optimal exposure areas and structural parameters: 30 m × 15 m and 40 m × 12.5 m, with a maximum exposure time of 3 months and corresponding limit exposure areas of 450 m2 and 500 m2, respectively. These findings effectively improved the stability and safety of the stopes.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11280-8Expanded Mathews stability graphStability probabilityStope exposure areaExposure timeNumerical simulation
spellingShingle Chunlin You
Jianhua Hu
Jianing Li
Jiwei Zhang
Zhonghua Qi
Collaborative optimization of the Mathews stability graph method and numerical simulation for the limit exposure area in stope
Scientific Reports
Expanded Mathews stability graph
Stability probability
Stope exposure area
Exposure time
Numerical simulation
title Collaborative optimization of the Mathews stability graph method and numerical simulation for the limit exposure area in stope
title_full Collaborative optimization of the Mathews stability graph method and numerical simulation for the limit exposure area in stope
title_fullStr Collaborative optimization of the Mathews stability graph method and numerical simulation for the limit exposure area in stope
title_full_unstemmed Collaborative optimization of the Mathews stability graph method and numerical simulation for the limit exposure area in stope
title_short Collaborative optimization of the Mathews stability graph method and numerical simulation for the limit exposure area in stope
title_sort collaborative optimization of the mathews stability graph method and numerical simulation for the limit exposure area in stope
topic Expanded Mathews stability graph
Stability probability
Stope exposure area
Exposure time
Numerical simulation
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11280-8
work_keys_str_mv AT chunlinyou collaborativeoptimizationofthemathewsstabilitygraphmethodandnumericalsimulationforthelimitexposureareainstope
AT jianhuahu collaborativeoptimizationofthemathewsstabilitygraphmethodandnumericalsimulationforthelimitexposureareainstope
AT jianingli collaborativeoptimizationofthemathewsstabilitygraphmethodandnumericalsimulationforthelimitexposureareainstope
AT jiweizhang collaborativeoptimizationofthemathewsstabilitygraphmethodandnumericalsimulationforthelimitexposureareainstope
AT zhonghuaqi collaborativeoptimizationofthemathewsstabilitygraphmethodandnumericalsimulationforthelimitexposureareainstope