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title of the thesis - Department of Geology - Queen's University

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Figure 4.24: Fracture initiation thresholds mapped using maximum and differential stress conditions.<br />

4.7 Modelling Summary and Discussion<br />

The distribution <strong>of</strong> stress on <strong>the</strong> 7400 Level in Creighton Mine is strongly dependent on both <strong>the</strong><br />

excavation geometry and <strong>the</strong> strength <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> discontinuities. UDEC models demonstrate that<br />

cohesion and <strong>the</strong> friction angle <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> discontinuities modify <strong>the</strong> flow <strong>of</strong> stress around <strong>the</strong><br />

excavation. Faults must have sufficiently low friction values for shear slip to occur. Under <strong>the</strong><br />

current stress field, faults must have some residual friction as low values produced unrealistic<br />

stress distributions.<br />

Models demonstrate that stress is substantially reduced in a yield zone adjacent to an excavation.<br />

Tensile and shear failure associated with <strong>the</strong> yield zone is directly incurred by <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

excavation. Diederichs (2003) states that this is an area <strong>of</strong> tensile fracture accumulation and<br />

101

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