Stress, instability and design of underground excavations

When the stress-induced risks to a projects warrant it, in situ stress must be measured. However, as the stress-induced risks increase, i.e., the stress magnitudes approach the rock mass strength, the confidence in commonly used stress measurement techniques decrease. The design of underground openings at depth requires knowledge of the in situ stress state, yet it is for these design conditions where our confidence in stress measurement techniques is at its lowest. To quantify the stress state for these conditions, elements of the Observational Design Method have to be used. These elements rely on the development of a geological site model, documented observations of over stressed rock in pillars or near the boundary of underground openings, and iterative two- and three-dimensional numerical modelling calibrated with observations. Examples are provided to illustrate how the philosophy of Observational Design Method can be used to infer the in situ stress state.

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