Finite Element Model For Three-Dimensional Analysis Of Mine Openings

This paper presents a basic, and yet practical, three-dimensional finite element model that was developed by the authors for stress/stability analysis of mine structures. While the code is linear elastic at this stage, it has some practical features that make it an attractive tool for mine design. Such features include: simulation of mine backfill support, mining induced strain energy calculation, powerful out-of-core frontal solver and failure analysis by Mohr-Coulomb or Hoek-Brown failure criteria. Model development criteria are discussed, and the potential application of the model to mining is demonstrated by design examples.