Physical Model Test and Numerical Simulation Study of Deformation Mechanism of Wall Rock on Open Pit to Underground Mining

Based on the engineering background of Daye Iron Mine in Central China`s Hubei Province, the deformation mechanism and influence area of wall rock in the process of open pit to underground mining with high-steep slope was studied using physical model test and numerical simulation. Firstly, the selected typical section of the research was generalized, the physical model built with similar materials, special methods used to simulate the mining practice, dial indicators and digital camera measurement used to monitor the model deformation during the whole mining process. Secondly, the numerical model was built and the mining practice simulated using numerical simulation software to verify the results of physical model tests. The results indicate that the final failure of wall rocks appear at the areas nearing the ore body and does not have great influence on the stability of underground slope, the wall rock displacements of model increase slowly with increasing the mining depth. The displacements change laws of rocks nearing the faults are the same as other rocks at the same depth; the results of physical model test are generally in agreement with the numerical simulation.