Mechanical Response and Failure Mechanisms of Block Caving Bottom Structures Under Dynamic Conditions Induced by Slope Rockfalls

The stability of bottom structures in block caving mines is significantly challenged by impact loads generated from large rockfalls and ore collapses on slopes. This study aims to investigate the mechanical response and failure characteristics of bottom structures under such dynamic and cyclic loadi...

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Main Authors: Xinglong Feng, Guangquan Li, Zeyue Wang, Xiongpeng Zhu, Zhenggao Huang, Hang Lin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6867
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author Xinglong Feng
Guangquan Li
Zeyue Wang
Xiongpeng Zhu
Zhenggao Huang
Hang Lin
author_facet Xinglong Feng
Guangquan Li
Zeyue Wang
Xiongpeng Zhu
Zhenggao Huang
Hang Lin
author_sort Xinglong Feng
collection DOAJ
description The stability of bottom structures in block caving mines is significantly challenged by impact loads generated from large rockfalls and ore collapses on slopes. This study aims to investigate the mechanical response and failure characteristics of bottom structures under such dynamic and cyclic loading conditions. Discrete element methods (DEMs) were employed to simulate the impact load amplitudes caused by large rockfalls on bottom structures. Specimens with identical mechanical properties to the bottom structure were fabricated at a 1:100 scale, based on the principle of similarity ratio tests. Three distinct types of impact loads were identified and analyzed: overall impact from large-scale slope collapses, localized impact from partial rock and soil mass collapses, and continuous multiple impacts from progressive slope failures. True triaxial tests were conducted to evaluate the mechanical response of the bottom structure under these loading scenarios. The results indicate that while overall and multiple impact loads from slope collapses do not lead to catastrophic failure of the bottom structure, severe damage occurs under a 100 m thickness of ore and large block impacts. Specifically, the inner walls of ore accumulation troughs peel off, and ore pillars between troughs fracture and fail. This study highlights the need for advanced experimental and numerical approaches to accurately predict the stability and failure modes of bottom structures under complex loading conditions.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2076-3417
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spelling doaj-art-e997b5e626b84ad9aceb99d1845025c72025-08-20T03:26:10ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-06-011512686710.3390/app15126867Mechanical Response and Failure Mechanisms of Block Caving Bottom Structures Under Dynamic Conditions Induced by Slope RockfallsXinglong Feng0Guangquan Li1Zeyue Wang2Xiongpeng Zhu3Zhenggao Huang4Hang Lin5Yunnan Diqing Non-Ferrous Metals Co., Ltd., Shangri-La 674400, ChinaYunnan Diqing Non-Ferrous Metals Co., Ltd., Shangri-La 674400, ChinaSchool of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, ChinaSchool of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, ChinaYunnan Diqing Non-Ferrous Metals Co., Ltd., Shangri-La 674400, ChinaSchool of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, ChinaThe stability of bottom structures in block caving mines is significantly challenged by impact loads generated from large rockfalls and ore collapses on slopes. This study aims to investigate the mechanical response and failure characteristics of bottom structures under such dynamic and cyclic loading conditions. Discrete element methods (DEMs) were employed to simulate the impact load amplitudes caused by large rockfalls on bottom structures. Specimens with identical mechanical properties to the bottom structure were fabricated at a 1:100 scale, based on the principle of similarity ratio tests. Three distinct types of impact loads were identified and analyzed: overall impact from large-scale slope collapses, localized impact from partial rock and soil mass collapses, and continuous multiple impacts from progressive slope failures. True triaxial tests were conducted to evaluate the mechanical response of the bottom structure under these loading scenarios. The results indicate that while overall and multiple impact loads from slope collapses do not lead to catastrophic failure of the bottom structure, severe damage occurs under a 100 m thickness of ore and large block impacts. Specifically, the inner walls of ore accumulation troughs peel off, and ore pillars between troughs fracture and fail. This study highlights the need for advanced experimental and numerical approaches to accurately predict the stability and failure modes of bottom structures under complex loading conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6867block cavingbottom structure stabilityimpact loadsmechanical responsefailure characteristics
spellingShingle Xinglong Feng
Guangquan Li
Zeyue Wang
Xiongpeng Zhu
Zhenggao Huang
Hang Lin
Mechanical Response and Failure Mechanisms of Block Caving Bottom Structures Under Dynamic Conditions Induced by Slope Rockfalls
Applied Sciences
block caving
bottom structure stability
impact loads
mechanical response
failure characteristics
title Mechanical Response and Failure Mechanisms of Block Caving Bottom Structures Under Dynamic Conditions Induced by Slope Rockfalls
title_full Mechanical Response and Failure Mechanisms of Block Caving Bottom Structures Under Dynamic Conditions Induced by Slope Rockfalls
title_fullStr Mechanical Response and Failure Mechanisms of Block Caving Bottom Structures Under Dynamic Conditions Induced by Slope Rockfalls
title_full_unstemmed Mechanical Response and Failure Mechanisms of Block Caving Bottom Structures Under Dynamic Conditions Induced by Slope Rockfalls
title_short Mechanical Response and Failure Mechanisms of Block Caving Bottom Structures Under Dynamic Conditions Induced by Slope Rockfalls
title_sort mechanical response and failure mechanisms of block caving bottom structures under dynamic conditions induced by slope rockfalls
topic block caving
bottom structure stability
impact loads
mechanical response
failure characteristics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6867
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AT guangquanli mechanicalresponseandfailuremechanismsofblockcavingbottomstructuresunderdynamicconditionsinducedbysloperockfalls
AT zeyuewang mechanicalresponseandfailuremechanismsofblockcavingbottomstructuresunderdynamicconditionsinducedbysloperockfalls
AT xiongpengzhu mechanicalresponseandfailuremechanismsofblockcavingbottomstructuresunderdynamicconditionsinducedbysloperockfalls
AT zhenggaohuang mechanicalresponseandfailuremechanismsofblockcavingbottomstructuresunderdynamicconditionsinducedbysloperockfalls
AT hanglin mechanicalresponseandfailuremechanismsofblockcavingbottomstructuresunderdynamicconditionsinducedbysloperockfalls