Estimation of Rock Mass Strength Using the Synthetic Rock Mass (SRM) Approach and Particle Flow Modelling

Significant developments in numerical modelling have been achieved during the last decade, but validation of these techniques is required to build up confidence. As these developments represent a significative advance for mining geomechanics, this paper focuses on the application of the relatively recent 3D particle flow code (PFC3D) using the synthetic rock mass (SRM) approach to simulate the mechanical behaviour of not only intact rock, but also rock masses. In this approach, rock mass samples are generated and tested by using these techniques; the obtained rock mass strength assessment is then crosschecked and compared to results obtained from applying empirical and worldwide-accepted rock mass strength criteria such as Hoek-Brown. The main rock properties of the samples to be analysed include the mechanical response under triaxial stress conditions, anisotropy, modulus, damage threshold, and peak strength. Finally, it is worth mentioning that when using the Hoek-Brown strength criterion, the strength envelope curve for each rock mass sample is generated based on input parameters m and a that are measured from triaxial testing of the intact rock.