Modeling arching effets in narrow backfilled stopes with FLAC

Numerical tools can be very useful to investigate the mechanical response of backfilled stopes. In this paper, the authors show preliminary results from calculations made with FLAC. Its use is illustrated by showing the influence of stope geometry. The results are compared with analytical solutions developed to evaluate arching effects in backfill placed in narrow stopes. Some common trends are obtained with the two approaches, but there are also some differences regarding the magnitude of the stress redistribution induced by fill yielding.