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By C. Steve

ABSTRACT: In this paper, the stability evaluation and bifurcation criteria are presented for the Jinping arch dam structure. The bifurcation models in failure status of the arch dam are derived from the uniqueness of the controlling equation of dam behaviours, and the relative phenomena between positive definition of dam structural tangent stiffness and bifurcation are given in the paper. Then the structural collapse criteria for arch dam are discussed based on the energy mode. A stability criterion of dam based on the connection of yield zones is proposed according to the implementation of elasto-plastic FEM (finite element method) numerical analysis. In accordance with this judging method, nonlinear FEM analysis is used for Jinping arch dam. The failure process of the Jinping dam was simulated and yield zones were found under the overloading condition. Keywords: Stability evaluation, bifurcation, failure process, Jinping arch dam ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: In der Verliegenden Arbeit wird ein integrater geomechanisch Modellversuch fuer Jinping Bogenstaumauer Vorgesstellt. Die Bogenstaumauer liegt aut der komplizerten felsformationen. Der Zerstoerungsmechanismus, die Stabilitaetsfaktoren und die Interaktion zwischen der Bogenstaumauer und den Seiltichen. In der Vorliegenden Arbeit wird eine dreidimensionale finite element analyse fuer die seitlichen. Gestein sauflager mittels dem Bruchmodell Vorgestellt, da fuer Jiniping Bogenstaumauer angewandet wird. Ein Bruch mechanismus model einschliesslich der statistischen parameter der Gesteinfes tigkeit wird entauckeit. RÉSUMÉ: Das ce documènt a été faite une analyse d’elemt limité de trois dimensions dn fondement de construction de roche faisant appel au modéle de l’endommagemnet à fracture, analyse appliquée an fondement du bar ragevoute de Jinping. Ce documènt décrit le test de modéle géomecanique intégral pour le barrage-voûte de Jinping L’ampleur du modéle en question constitute l’une de plus importantes en China. Ils correspondent par faitement anx calculs des résultats.

Jan 1, 2003

By B. Amadei, F. Tonon

Rock stress measurement is cast in the more general context of the determination of boundary conditions for rock engineering. A study on the effect of elastic anisotropy on underground excavations reveals that this effect is actually controlled by the imposed boundary conditions. Applications to tunneling and to the Underground Research Laboratory (URL), Canada, exemplify a procedure for boundary condition estimation formerly developed by the authors. The procedure displayed fast convergence despite the complex geometry, and the high degree of non-linearity of the models. In the URL application, the 3-D model was able to completely reproduce the complex measured stress pattern, and the 90° rotation of the principal in situ stresses with depth. In order to reliably estimate the boundary conditions reproducing the current in situ state of stress, response measurements of the rock mass to current disturbances are necessary as input data. La mesure des contraintes in situ tombe dans le domaine général de la détermination des conditions aux limites pour les problèmes de mécanique des roches. Une étude sur le rôle de l’anisotropie élastique sur les excavations souterraines montre que ce rôle est contrôlé par les conditions aux limites qui sont imposées. L’application aux tunnels et au Laboratoire Souterrain de Recherche (URL) au Canada, nous permet de présenter une méthode de détermination des conditions aux limites. La méthode converge rapidement bien que le géométrie soit complexe et que le problème soit non-linéaire. Pour le URL, le modèle 3D est capable de reproduire la distribution des contraintes qui ont été mesurées ainsi que la rotation de 90 degrés des contraintes in situ avec la profondeur. Afin de déterminer avec précision les conditions aux limites responsables pour la distribution actuelle des contraintes, la réponse du massif rocheux doit être connue et mesurée. In der Felsentechnik sind die Spannungsmessungen in Gestein an die Bestimmung der Randbedingungen gebunden. Eine Studie legt dar, dass der Effekt elastischer Anisotropie in unterirdischen Aushoehlungen von den Randbedingungen kontrolliert ist. Eine von den Authoren entwickelte Methode zur Bestimmung der Randbedingungen wird an Beispielen im Tunnelbau und im Underground Research Laboratory (URL) in Kanada illustriert. Auch bei komplexer Geometrie und einem hohen Grad an Nicht-Linearitaet zeigt diese Methode ein schnelles Konvergenzverhalten. Ein 3D-Model und dessen 90° Drehung der lokalen Hauptspannungen mit der Tiefe, kann bei einer URL Anwendung vollstaendig reproduziert werden. Um mit dieser Methode die Randbedingungen zuverlaessig abschaetzen zu koennen, werden der gegenwaertige lokale Spannungszustand sowie die Antwort des Gesteins und die resultierenden Stoerungen als Eingabedaten benoetigt.

Jan 1, 2003

A new system for granting access to mineral rights is proposed in the recently released White Paper, ?A Minerals and Mining Policy for South Africa?. Official policy states that ?Government?s long-term objective is for all mineral rights to vest in the State for the benefit of and on behalf of all the people of South Africa?. In order to achieve this objective, government is presently investigating the feasibility of imposing a financial or tax-related disincentive to holding mineral rights. The paper aims to present the pros and cons and to examine the alternatives which will cause minimal disruption to the minerals industry in the period during which mineral rights are transferred to the State. South Africa is a country whose economic and political history is embedded in the development of its mineral resources and has inherited a system which cannot simply be wished away. Hasty or radical decisions will compound the problem, rather than provide a lasting and widely acceptable solution. Mineral rights ownership and its impact on access to mineral deposits are discussed. Taxation as a possible economic disincentive is also evaluated. Finally, the value of mineral resource related information as a prerequisite to mineral policy decisions and as an alternative to mineral rights taxation is emphasized.

Jan 1, 1999

By Didier Kasongo NYEMBWE

The paper circumscribes the base metal casting industry in Southern Africa. It essentially consists in the founding of copper and zinc alloys. The challenge related to the scarcity and the unaffordable quality patterns and dies faced by the industry is discussed. New manufacturing technologies for foundry tooling called Rapid Prototyping that can possibly be used to alleviate the above mentioned challenge are then presented and their benefits assessed.

Jan 1, 2007

By D. Whittles, C. J. Lea, T. X. Ren, A. Kelsey

A methodology for the simulation of methane drainage combining geotechnical modelling and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) will be described. Geotechnical modelling was used to predict the development of stress and strain due to mining. The results from the geotechnical modelling were combined with empirical expressions for the variation in permeability with stress of coal measure rocks and assumptions on fracture behaviour. This allowed the permeability, as affected by mining, to be specified in CFD simulations. Flow of methane through strata, with and without methane drainage, was then simulated to examine the effects of methane drainage.

Jan 1, 2003

By M. Le Roux

Fine coal (-500 µm) is notoriously difficult to dewater. It is not uncommon for a dewatered product to have a moisture content as high as 30 per cent after vacuum filtration. This poses several handling and financial problems to such an extent that a lot of fine coal is discarded onto slurry waste ponds. A novel way of dewatering fine coal was developed at North-West University. It entails deliberately damaging the filter cake during dewatering to allow for an increased flow of air through the cake at the expense of the applied pressure differential. This method resulted in an average improvement in final cake moisture of between 3 per cent and 5 percent when executed in the laboratory under controlled conditions. A device was designed that could be fitted onto existing belt filters that would damage the filter cake as it passes by. This device was tested on a vacuum belt filter installation at a coal beneficiation operation in the Waterberg coal field in South Africa. The results showed a 3 per cent reduction in final moisture of the cake, proving the validity of the method at full industrial scale.

Jan 1, 2012

By M. Le Roux

Fine coal (-500 µm) is notoriously difficult to dewater. It is not uncommon for a dewatered product to have a moisture content as high as 30 per cent after vacuum filtration. This poses several handling and financial problems to such an extent that a lot of fine coal is discarded onto slurry waste ponds. A novel way of dewatering fine coal was developed at North-West University. It entails deliberately damaging the filter cake during dewatering to allow for an increased flow of air through the cake at the expense of the applied pressure differential. This method resulted in an average improvement in final cake moisture of between 3 per cent and 5 percent when executed in the laboratory under controlled conditions. A device was designed that could be fitted onto existing belt filters that would damage the filter cake as it passes by. This device was tested on a vacuum belt filter installation at a coal beneficiation operation in the Waterberg coal field in South Africa. The results showed a 3 per cent reduction in final moisture of the cake, proving the validity of the method at full industrial scale.

Jan 1, 2012

By T. Marin, J. E. Seccatore, M. Cardu

The most energy-intensive process in the mining industry is particle size reduction – comminution. The first phase of this process is blasting to fragment the rock from the initial Boussinesq’s halfspace size. Scientific literature demonstrates that the output of a blast in terms of fragment size distribution can be manipulated by varying the specific charge (powder factor) and charge distribution. This study focuses on the influence of blasting on the internal resistance of the blasted fragments; in particular the influence of the spatial distribution of charges. Small-scale blasts were performed on 14 marble blocks using different powder factors and charge distributions. Three control blocks were fragmented by mechanical means for comparison. The results show the correlations between charge distributions and the specific energy of mechanical comminution. Opportunities for adjusting charge diameter and distribution in opencast blasts to improve the performancet of comminution circuits are discussed.

Aug 8, 2024

By J. T. Jordaan

Paper written on project work carried out in partial fulfilment of B. Eng (Mining Engineering) degree This paper addresses the critical parameters that need to be considered when designing a mechanized bord-and-pillar mining layout for a narrow tabular steep dipping orebody. These parameters are : ?Reef dip ?Reef width ?Geological structures within the orebody ?Physical dimensions of the selection of machines ?Gradeability of the selection of machines. The main objective in designing such a layout is to maximize machine efficiencies whilst minimizing dilution. This methodology was then applied in the design of a mechanized bord-and-pillar mining layout for a given piece of ground (Vlakpoort and Moddergat) using a given selection of machines. This piece of ground contains the PGM bearing UG2 Reef with an average thickness of 124 cm and dipping at 18°withadverse strike and dip changes. Two bord-and-pillar layouts were designed for this area. Layout 1 is characterized by the use of strike conveyors to convey ore on strike with an average LHD hauling distance of 35 m. Layout2 uses LHDs for all on strike conveyance of ore with an average hauling distance of 75 m. These two layouts were then technically and financially compared. It was concluded that layout 1 is theoretically superior but layout 2 was chosen due to its greater flexibility and probability of operational success. Layout 2 was also compared to conventional mining and it was concluded to be more economically feasible. However the latter is a proven mining method in these conditions and has a lower risk operational failure. Bord-and-pillar mining has some favourable promises such as improving labour difficulties, lowering operating costs and providing safer working conditions. The success of mechanized bord-and-pillar mining in narrow tabular steep dipping orebodies will depend on the extent of the research and development efforts which need to create and innovate technologies to overcome some of the current limitations stated in the above-mentioned parameters.

Jan 1, 2003

By B. D. Paphane

Since the commissioning of the Tati Hydrometallurgical Demonstration Plant (HDP), which produces Ni and Cu cathodes as well as Co salt from sulphide concentrate employing Activox® technology for leaching, no kinetic data has been generated from the plant under normal operating conditions, from start-up to steady state. Therefore, this study seeks to determine the rate of reactions in the leaching circuit with a view to obtaining kinetic data for the system under the current operating conditions. Within the five-compartment autoclave operating at temperatures of 105°C to 110°C and 1100 kPa pressure, the extraction of Ni, Cu, and Co ions into solution is achieved through the oxidation of the sulphide concentrate using approximately 50 kg H2SO4 per ton, 10 kg NaCl per ton, and 1.21 kg O2 per kilogram of S2-. The autoclave reactions showed complex kinetics, with the reactions proceeding via some intermediate(s) before the formation of products. The results suggest that the reactions were dependent on the size of the metal ion of interest and the concentrations of the metal ions in the Tati concentrate as well as in chloride leaching. The order of the leaching rate constants was Fe2+ > Cu2+ > Ni2+ > Co2+ in all the compartments studied. The rates of leaching were also found to decrease as the concentrate moves from compartment 1 to compartment 4. For compartments 1 to 3, leaching was observed to be preceded by dilution of the repulp liquor (copper raffinate). The leaching rate for compartment 5 was slightly lower than that of compartment 1 but higher than the rates of compartments 2, 3, and 4 for all the metals studied. Keywords kinetics, hydrometallurgical plant, Activox

Jun 1, 2013

By N. Ragoonanthun

Paper written on project work carried out in partial fulfilment of B.Sc. (Mining Engineering) degree This report investigates the optimization of a raiseline in order to open up the ore reserve quicker. The project was carried out at Mponeng Mine (an Anglogold shaft formerly known as Western Deep Levels 1 Shaft and South Mine, in Carletonville). The project was divided into two focus areas namely: ?To design an optimum layout of a raiseline, which includes the scheduling of all activities for the establishment of the infrastructure. Consideration was given to the blasting practice, mining cycle, orepass placement and slusher positioning. Two designs were carried out on the above basis. ?The design of a ledging operation/practice to match the optimized layout of the raiseline. The ledging cycle design involved a thorough investigation into the possible use of drill rigs, Electronic Delay Detonators (EDD) blasting technology, longer drilled holes, Threshold Blasting (THROB),and water jet cleaning.

Jan 1, 2003

By J. M. Richards

For most of the 20th century optical petrography has been the primary petrological and mineralogical tool used to characterize coal. The development of quantitative SEM-based techniques, e.g. QEMSCAN®, for coal began only about a decade ago. The application of these techniques for coal lagged behind other commodities, but they are currently being developed with the aim to provide ?one complete analysis? for coal. Quantitative SEM-based techniques are supplemented by quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD). Recent indications are that these more modern techniques cannot replace the ?standard? petrographic and chemical evaluations, but rather complement them where and when required. The great advantage of quantitative SEM-based techniques is that they are very rapid, with the result that large volumes of samples can be processed on a routine basis. This is ideal for coal type identification, since the results can be used in the creation of ?intelligent? composites. This can lead to the more speedy evaluation of coal deposits by reducing the number of samples on which detailed metallurgical and characterization test work is required, without an increase in the overall statistical error of the resource model. Coal petrography, however, remains important for the prediction of the coking characteristics of certain coals and coal products. As a consequence it is therefore important that any coal laboratory be able to produce data with confidence. This requires strict quality control and assurance protocols that adhere to international standards. Keywords coal petrography, coking strength, scanning electron microscopy, QEMSCAN®.

Nov 1, 2013

By D. Nag, J. Fernando

Hazelwood Power Mine is one of the largest open pit brown coal mines in Australia. The removal of overburden is the first step in coal winning operation. The primary aim of construction of overburden dump is to provide an effective stable working surface for stacker. The paper discusses site investigation techniques used to determine dump soil properties, stability analysis method using GALENA and GWEDGEM, results of stability analysis. The paper concludes with recommendation for a safe dumping strategy for level 2 stacker dumping.

Jan 1, 2003

By H. Ogasawara

Information on rock stress is important for safe mining in seismically active ground. On a major gold mine, a few tens of crews are continuously conducting geological drilling with small pneumatic machines. However, stress measurements are not often carried out in South African deep-level gold mines. One of the reasons is the drilling diameter that overcoring requires, which is much larger than the diameters used in regular geological drilling, e.g. Boart Longyear Metre Eater, which drills A[O] or B[O] holes. Larger diameter holes result in slower drilling advance, more load in transportation and handling at sites, and higher cost. In order to enable overcoring in BX size (60 mm diameter), we modified the compact conical-ended borehole overcoring (CCBO) technique that has been suggested by International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM) and was originally designed for NX drilling (76 mm diameter). With a single overcoring, the 3-D stress tensor can be determined. We tested this modified method at a depth of about 3 km at Moab Khotsong mine in South Africa. We worked with drilling crew who usually work at geological drilling with the Metre Eater. In January 2011, we tried using regular geological drilling tools (a sequence of a normal BX bit, reamer, and rod) without success. In August and September 2011, introducing stabilizers and thin BX bits, we succeeded. We could complete a cycle of procedures necessary for an overcoring, including shaping the borehole-end conically, glueing a 16-element strain cell, and overcoring, within 2.5 hours. Only 10 cm overcoring is needed, which increases the chance of successful overcoring in heavily fractured conditions. This modified method is suitable for up-dip holes to depths of 10-15 m from tunnels, and has the potential to be widely used at the initial stage of geological exploration drilling at many localities.

Jan 1, 2012

By R. B. August, J. N. Dunlevey

The Quaternary Age aeolian dune sands of the Sibaya Formation on the northern KwaZulu-Natal coast are well known for their heavy mineral content. Although ilmenite, rutile and zircon are the economically important members of the heavy mineral suite, many other nonsilicate minerals such as monazite, xenotime, chromite, magnetite, and spinel that are normally considered to be eitherun common or even rare are also present and these sands provide a unique opportunity to study such complex minerals. Monazite is the general term used for a complex series of rare earth phosphates dominated by lanthanum, cerium and neodymium with monazite-Ce, monazite-La and monazite-Nd recognized as distinct end members of the solid solution series. In addition to the elements indicated by the simplified formulae (LaCeNd) PO4monazite can also accept significant quantities of other elements from the lanthanide and actinide series (Pr, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy,Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Th, Pa, U, Np). The monazite grains in the Sibaya Formation occur as both composite grains, composed of two or more distinct mineral phases, and homogeneous grains. The net physical properties of the composite grains, and their response to magnetic and electrostatic separation methods are related to size and composition of non-monazite component. However, the homogeneous monazite grains also display significant variation in their physical properties related to their chemical composition.

Jan 1, 2003

By Li. S., C. Sili

Abstract. Study on nonlinear damage localization process of rocks under water chemical corrosion is a more interesting topic in rock mechanics research world widely. It is very important in estimating long term stability of rock engineering, design of nuclear waste repository and its performance estimation, geothermal and petroleum development. This paper reports that new development of study on the topic, including methodology, results of meso-mechanical test, real-time CT scan test and acoustic emission test, temporal fractal behaviors, neural dynamic modeling and chemical-induced damage law, etc. This paper also discusses the research directions of the topic in the near future. Zusammenfassung. Untersuchung zum durch die chemische Corrosion induzierten Schaedigungsprozess ist einer der Trends im Gebiet der Felsmechanik. Sie ist zugleich ein sehr wichtiges Forschungsprojekt u.a. fuer geotechnische Langzeitstabilitaetsanalyse, Langzeitsicherheit eines Endlagers, Erdwaerme- und Erdoelfoerderung. Dieser Aufsatz stellt die neusten Entwicklungen in den folgenden Teilgebieten zusammen: Untersuchungsmethoden, Laborversuchsergebnisse der Mikromechanik, der Computer-Tomographie und der akustischen Emission, zeitabhaengige Fraktaleigenschaften, Modelle fuer die Nervendynamik sowie Modelle fuer chemie-induzierte Schaedigungen. Zum Schluss werden kuenftige Forschungsschwerpunkte bzw. –richtungen diskutiert. Résumé L’étude du processus de la localisation de l’endommagement du à l’érosion chimique est un thème d’actualité pour la mécanique des roches. Elle est également un sujet de recherche d’importance dans l’évaluation de la stabilité à long terme des ouvrages rocheux, l’analyse du system de stockage des déchets nucléaires et l’évaluation de son comportement, l’exploitation de l’énergie thermique et pétrolifère, etc. Cet article présente le développement actuel dans ce domaine, incluant la méthodologie d’étude sur le processus de la localisation de l’endommagement dû à l’érosion chimique, l’analyse des essais mécaniques avec l’observation microscopique, du balayage en temps réel (CT), et de l’émission acoustique. On aborde ainsi modèle des caractéristiques fractural du temps, le modèle de la mécanique dynamique neural, ainsi que la loi de comportement d’endommagement dû à l’effet chimique. Enfin, les perspectives relatives à ces études sont présentées et discutées.

Jan 1, 2003

[Dr. N.A. Barcza (Chairman) Mr. R.J. Linnell (Vice Chairman) Mr. J. Basson Dr. L.A. Cramer Mr. W.A. Gericke Dr. N.C. Machingawuta Mr. C.S. Mahony Dr. L.R. Nelson Mr. D. St J. Slater Mr. B.J. van der Walt INFACON X TECHNICAL PROGRAMME COMMITTEE Dr. L.R. Nelson (Chairman) Mr. W.A. Gericke (Vice Chairman) Mr. W. Barrett Mr. T.R. Curr Dr. O.F.R.A. Damm Prof. R.H. Eric Mr A.M. Hearn Mr. A.R. Jamieson Dr. N.C. Machingawuta Mrs. L. Mthombeni Mr. F.X. Prins Mr. J. van Tonder ]

Jan 1, 2004

By A. Lebedev

Application of dynamic simulation for a base metal processing plant is discussed. The plant receives ore of variable quality from two pits and blending had to be applied to maximise recovery. The plant employs multiple stage crushing, screening, dense media separation, two-stage milling, flotation and further filtration. Stockpiles and bunkers are used in the plant to cater for breakdowns and operating delays, the latter being appropriately incorporated in the model. A detail dynamic simulation model was constructed from the rock face to the filtration plant to assist the plant design, notably with definition of the ore blending method, sizing storage capacity and in-plant conveyors. The plant model was broken down to capital equipment items and various feed types and mass balances were tested to ensure that the production target is met. The dynamic simulation tested the proposed blending method, identified bottlenecks, produced risk profiles for all strategic storage facilities and overall helped minimise the project risks and improve confidence in the plant design. Keywords: Dynamic simulation, ore grade, blending, capacity, risk profile, throughput, utilisation

Jan 1, 2020

The use of a time series variogram as an aid in controlling the quality of a product was pioneered by Pierre M. Gy and is described. The ability to analyse and interpret covariance relationships time series data is possible using the variogram. The concept of stream heterogeneity allows sources of variability in process streams to be identified and isolated. Principally this is distributional heterogeneity that is due to a short range effect of segregation in the process stream related to size or composition distribution of the material on a local scale and due to a long-range change in the size and grade of the material stream. The variogram is simply a tool for representing these sources of variability in a way that is explicit, allowing identification of the source and providing important insights to temporal continuity between samples. This paper describes the chronologically related large-scale variability in an iron ore process stream (%Fe), and illustrates the control and mitigation of variability at various stages within the process using a variogram. Three main sources of variability are identified including the random variability V[0], the process variability V[1], and the variability due to cyclical phenomena V[cyclic], arising from human routine or mechanical defects. These sources of variability can be represented on the control chart that provides the plant superintendent with insights as to the sampling capability of the systems in place. Maintaining levels of variability within customer specification limits requires that production systems be controlled without overcorrecting for the trends in changing quality. This can be done only by representing the limits of control relative to the limits of specification on a control chart. Where the specification limits encroach on the control limits, one or the other, or both, may need to be changed; specification limits that constrain the control limits lead to reactive decision making that is expensive and stressful for plant operators.

Jan 1, 2008

By W. Robert, J. Wirth, G. Grasselli

ABSTRACT: Strength, deformability and fluid flow properties of rock joints are to a great extent controlled by the surface roughness. The hydraulic conductivity of a rock fracture depends on the aperture distribution, the surface roughness and the contact area, each of which depend on the stresses that act on the fracture plane. However, despite much recent work, a complete understanding of the relationship between void space geometry, contact areas, applied stress, and hydraulic conductivity has yet to be achieved. Moreover, although in situ rock joints are subjected to both normal and shear loading, few studies have been conducted to investigate the effect of shear displacements on fluid flow through a single rock fracture, and which have addressed the issue of flow anisotropy induced by shearing. Experimental flow tests show that with increasing shear displacement, the fracture becomes heterogeneous and anisotropic, and becomes more permeable in the direction parallel to the displacement (Yeo et al., 1998). On the other hand, dry shear tests show that the surface fails in areas facing the shear direction (Grasselli and Egger, 2003). Moreover, the experimental results confirm that the shear strength of rock joints is direction-dependent. In this paper, a three-dimensional morphological description of several a natural fractures that have undergone shear displacement were generated using the Automated Topographic System at the University of Basel. The data analysis method of Grasselli (Grasselli et al., 2002a) is used to determine the surface parameters that are known to control the shear strength. Simulations of fluid flow through this fracture, in various directions relative to the direction of shear, are conducted using an FEM flow simulator. The results constitute the most detailed analysis yet undertaken of the relationship between shear displacement, shear strength, and fracture transmissivity. RESUME: La rugosité des joints en roche joue un rôle primaire sur la réponse hydromécanique du massif fracturé. En effet, la conductivité hydraulique des discontinuités en roche est influencée par la rugosité, et par la distribution des ouvertures et des zones de contact, dont chacun dépend de l’effort normal et du cisaillement qui agissent sur la surface du joint. Les essais d'écoulement en laboratoire montrent que si cisaillée, la fracture devient anisotrope, et plus perméable dans la direction parallèle au déplacement (Yeo et al., 1998). D'autre part, les essais de cisaillement indiquent que seules les zones de la surface qui font face à la direction de cisaillement sont impliquées dans le cisaillement (Grasselli et Egger, 2003). D'ailleurs, les résultats expérimentaux confirment que la résistance au cisaillement des joints de roche est dépendante de la direction. Dans cet article, plusieurs fractures en roche ont été analysées en utilisant un système de mesure topographique à l'Université de Bâle. La méthode d'analyse de données proposée par Grasselli (Grasselli et al., 2002a) a été employée pour calculer les paramètres de la surface qui déterminent la résistance au cisaillement. Plusieurs simulations du coulage, dans diverses directions relativement à la direction du cisaillement, ont été faites à l’aide d’un programme de calcul à éléments finis. Les résultats constituent une des analyses les plus détaillé sur le rapport entre le déplacement pendant le cisaillement, la résistance au cisaillement, et la transmissivité spécifique de la fracture. ZUSAMMENFASSUMG: Die Festigkeit, Verformbarkeit und Hydromechanik von geklüftetem Fels wird hauptsächlich von der Oberflächenrauhigkeit der Bruchflächen bestimmt. Die hydraulische Leitfähigkeit einer Kluft hängt von der Verteilung der Rissbreiten, der Oberflächenrauhigkeit und den Kontaktflächen ab, die ihrerseits von dem auf die Bruchfläche wirkenden Druck beeinflusst werden. Obgleich in letzter Zeit viel in dieser Richtung geforscht wurde, kann der Zusammenhang zwischen Porenraumgeometrie, Kontaktflächen, wirkendem Druck und hydraulischer Leitfähigkeit noch nicht vollständig erklärt werden. Obwohl Klüfte in situ sowohl Normal- als auch Schubspannungen ausgesetzt sind, wurde der Einfluss von Scherverschiebungen auf den Kluftwasserfluss und die daraus resultierende Fliessanisotropie in einer einzelnen Kluft bisher kaum untersucht. Experimentelle Untersuchungen des Durchflusses zeigen, dass die Kluft für größer werdende Scherverschiebungen heterogen und anisotrop wird wobei die Permeabilität parallel zur Verschiebungsrichtung ansteigt (Yeo et al., 1998). Andererseits zeigen trockene Scherversuche, dass die Oberfläche an Stellen versagt, die gegen die Verschiebungsrichtung anstehen (Grasselli und Egger, 2003). Des weiteren bestätigen die experimentellen Ergebnisse eine Richtungsabhängigkeit der Kluftscherfestigkeit. In diesem Artikel wird eine dreidimensionale morphologische Beschreibung mehrerer natürlicher, durch Scherspannungen verschobener Klüfte vorgestellt, die vom Automated Topographic System der Universität von Basel erstellt wurde. Das von Grasselli (Grasselli et al., 2002a) entwickelte Datenanalyseverfahren wird zur Feststellung der die Scherfestigkeit bestimmenden Oberflächenparameter herangezogen. Mittels einer FEM-Simulation wird der Durchfluss durch eine solche Kluft in verschiedenen Richtungen simuliert. Die Ergebnisse stellen die bisher ausführlichste Analyse des Zusammenhangs zwischen Scherverschiebung, Scherfestigkeit und Durchlässigkeit (Transmissivität) einer Kluft dar.

Jan 1, 2003