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Numerical modeling of buckling failure in a mine slope

2014; SciELO; Volume: 67; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1590/s0370-44672014000100012

1807-0353

Carolina Helena Caldeira Silva, Milene Sabino Lana,

Tailings Management and Properties

In this work the failure mechanism of flexural buckling that occurred in Pau Branco Mine, of Vallourec & Mannesman Group, in 2002, was studied through the finite element method. The software Phase2, from Rocscience Inc. was employed in the analyses. Despite being a method applicable to continuous rock masses, discontinuities may be included in the model using joint elements. Modeling is simpler, avoiding the difficulties of using distinct element methods, due to the relative complexity of the geological section examined, where it was necessary to represent the variability of the foliation attitude, due to the pattern of the observed folds. The consideration of this variability was essential to reproduce buckling failure. Back analyses of failure mechanism were done, leading to representative values of the in situ stress state and the normal and shear stiffness modulus of the foliation discontinuities. The parameters generated by the analyses are extremely useful for further stability analyses in the phyllite slopes of Pau Branco Mine.