Management of Geotechnical and Rock

Mechanics Engineering
In Underground Mining Operations

By Phillip Whalles Longwe

BEng Min./AEEIZ/SCO_METS
UNDERSTANDING OF GEOTECHNICAL/ROCKMECHANICS MODEL A KEY APROACH

Hydrological
Stress Model Model

GEOTECHNICAL/
ROCKMECHANICS
MODEL

Rock mass
Model

Structural
Model
 UNDERSTANDING STRESS MODEL AND ITS MANAGEMENT

Geological discontinuities Requirements

RMR_Parameters 1 Core logging

Q-System Parameters 2 Scanline Mapping
Structural Domains
3 Fall out Damage Mapping
4 Window Mapping
Major Geological 5 Face Mapping
Structures 6 Structural Mapping
RQD/BLOCK SIZES 7 High Visibility Scan

Standard guide lines and procedures required for data collection as follows

Core logging Window Mapping All personnel to understand the procedures and the filling system of each
Central data base Central data base of the data collection procedures for each mode of data acquisition and the
Mapping Sheet Mapping Sheet intended objectives, An understanding of various instruments used for is
task is a requirement for all Personnel
Face Mapping Structural Mapping
Central data base Central data base
Mapping Sheet Mapping Sheet
Scan Line Mapping Fallout Damage Mapping
Central data base Central data base
Mapping Sheet Mapping Sheet
 UNDERSTANDING ROCKMASS MODEL AND ITS MANAGEMENT

Rock strength

Rock types

Cohesion
DATA MANAGEMENT
Friction angle Central data base for rock mass properties
Procedures and Templates for data Collection:
 Point load test procedure for UCS
 Geological hammer Field estimates of UCS
 Lab tests for cohesion and Frictional Angle
Poisons ratio

Modulus of elasticity  Numerical/Empirical Estimates of Rock Mass properties

using RocLab
 Determination of Rock Mass Density and other parameters.

All personnel to understand the procedures and the filling system of each
of the data collection procedures for each mode of data acquisition and the
intended objectives, An understanding of various instruments used for is
task is a requirement for all Personnel
 UNDERSTANDING ROCKMASS MODEL AND ITS MANAGEMENT

Stress levels

Stress Mapping

Stress Domains
DATA MANAGEMENT
Numerical Modeling Central data base for rock mass properties
Procedures and Templates for data Collection:
 Stress levels instrumentation Stress meters
 Seismic Monitoring system
 Damp Simulation on Dumping Sequence
 Field estimates of Stress orientations
 Stopping effects on exactions.
 Stress Effects on travelling Haulages ways Ladder
ways and Shafts
 Stress damage on excavations.

All personnel to understand the procedures and the filling system of each
of the data collection procedures for each mode of data acquisition and the
intended objectives, An understanding of various instruments used for is
task is a requirement for all Personnel
DESIGN-EXCAVATIONS-&-SUPPORT
 UNDERSTANDING TUNNEL DESIGNG AND ITS MANAGEMENT

Tunnel Design Requirements

All tunnel designs to be done based on the Following Constraints:

 The Rock mass model should be fully understood(RMR & Q-system
 The Structural model should be fully understood
 The Stress model should be fully understood
 The Excavation use and Life span
 Proximity of other Excavations and Water bodies
 Mode of Excavating

PR CEDURES & GUIDELINES REQUIRED

1. Procedure for Tunnel design required
2. Procedure and Guide lines for Training on Tunnel Design
3. Equipment Constraints for Tunnel Design
4. Assessment of Section Training Matrix Procedures
5. Acceptable Rules of thump for Tunnel Design Guide lines
6. Procedure For Numerical Modeling software's required

All personnel to understand the procedures and the filling system of each of the data
collection procedures for each mode of data acquisition and the intended objectives, An
understanding of various instruments used for is task is a requirement for all Personnel
 UNDERSTANDING SUPPORT DESIGNG AND ITS MANAGEMENT

Support Design Requirements

All tunnel designs to be done based on the Following Constraints:

 The Rock mass model should be fully understood(RMR & Q-system
 The Structural model should be fully understood
 The Stress model should be fully understood
 The Excavation use and Life span
 Proximity of other Excavations and Water bodies
 Cost of Support Units
PROCEDURES FOR THE DESING AND INSTALLATION OF THE FOLLOWING SUPPORT AND REINFORCEMENT UNITS TO
BE IN PLACE AND APLICATIONS FOR EACH SUPPORT UNIT MUST BE CLEARLY OUTLINED

1. Cable Anchors
2. Mechanical Anchors
3. Split Sets
4. Grout able Rebar's
5. Tendon Straps
6. Timber Packs
7. Timber set
8. Steel arc sets
9. Swelex
10.Welded Mesh
11.Chain Link Wire Mesh
12.Lacing Ropes
13.Shot Crete
14.Fiber Crete
15.Grouted Split sets
16.Hydra bolts Training PPT Should be done on the Storage, Installation
17.Camlock prop and QAQC checks for Each of the Support units
 UNDERSTANDING RISK MANAGEMENT

Formal Risk Assessments

The formal risk assessment for all the tasks for the geotechnical and rock mechanics
section must be done clearly defining the Following:

1. All the risks and hazards associated with use of all geotechnical instruments (lab/surface and
underground) with all controls clearly outlined in order to minimize the risk.

2. All the risks and hazards associated with all geotechnical Inspections (lab/surface and
underground) with all controls clearly outlined in order to minimize the risk.

3. All the risks and hazards associated with all geotechnical support and reinforcement works
(lab/surface and underground) with all controls clearly outlined in order to minimize the risk.

4. All the risks and hazards associated with use of all geotechnical data acquisition (lab/surface and
underground) with all controls clearly outlined in order to minimize the risk

Controls Target
 Quality Control  Personnel
Hazards  Procedures  Equipment
  Support  Production

Mobile Equipment
 Team work  Excavation

Fall of ground
 Support units Training
 Personnel Target
 Explosives  Personnel
 Equipment
Controls
 No Formal Risk
 Production
 Excavation
Assessment
UNDERSTANDING RISK MANAGEMENT
 UNDERSTANDING DAILY GEOTECHNICAL WORKS MANAGEMENT

 GCMP to be in place and up to date

 All geotechnical procedures to be available and to date
 Responsibilities for each position should be clearly defined
 Code of conduct for the section should be clearly understood
 Skill and Training matrix should be clearly defined and updated accordingly
 All geotechnical equipment's and Instruments must be recorded in the
Equipment register taking note the state of equipment and the calibration
dates.
 All Tasks to be done to be clearly defined on the weekly schedule
 All inspections to be reported and archived
 All Falls of ground to be reported and achieved in the FoG data base as per
FoG reporting procedure.
 Ground Control Management to Include
• Ground Condition plans
• Support plans
• Seepage plans
• Stress level plans
 UNDERSTANDING DAILY GEOTECHNICAL WORKS MANAGEMENT

Ground Control Inspections to Include

• Inspection of surface structures(Subsidence/sinkholes/Water channels)
• Support quality inspection
• Inspection of Travelling ways(Ramps/Shafts/Haulage drives /ladder ways)
• Excavations Inspection
• Permanent excavations inspection (Work shops)
• Draw points inspection
• Dump inspections
• Inspections as per request from operations

All the inspections to have standard reporting templates and procedures

With a clearly out lined data storage and management.
 A A Y A W A A ………

Ground Control Analyses Include

• Post blast analysis
• Support Reconciliation
• Fall of ground analysis and trouble shooting
• Support performance check
• Numerical Modeling
• Dump Compliance analysis
• Structural Analysis and reconciliation
• Monthly Support reconciliation
• Monthly Pull test Reconditions
• Over break analysis
 A A Y A W A A ………

REPORTS

1. Daily Inspection Report

2. Monthly Geotechnical Report
3. Mid Month Support Reconciliation report
4. All FoG Reports
5. All requested Investigation reports
6. Surface inspections fortnight report
7. Any Special Project Report
8. Daily Seismic Monitoring Report
9. Excavation Design Versus as built report
10.Non Conformance reports

Each report should have a standard format and should be filed accordingly.
All personnel to clearly understand the various inputs into the stated reports