Author(s)

J. Vacek & S. Sedláčková

Abstract

Failure of rock mass is not a static process, but has its own history. Its duration varies from several seconds to several hundred years. Rock mass movements are often measured in hundreds of metres and significantly change the formation’s original shape. Failure mechanics can be studied experimentally. On nonhomogeneous models we can observe the onset of failure (prior to and during the failure, deformations increase on sliding surfaces), the chronology of various stages of failure (cavings, slides), and the final shape of the rock mass. We can also observe influences exerted by modelled joints, adits and other features upon the failure history and shapes of cavings and slides. Research will be concentrated on the stability of internal tailings of Northern Bohemia open coal mines. Tailings will be strengthened by piles that join bed rock with tailing over the predestinated slip plane. Methods used for the study of geotechnical problems have to allow for two basic presumptions: • results must be time dependent • results must allow the creation of joints in the rock mass before the study event and during the event must allow for the moving of rock along joints, the opening of joints and creation of new joints. The direction of modelled joints must be similar to reality, i.e. their direction and inclination must be the same as the real ones. These measures make it possible to create the structure of modelled rock mass similar to real ones. Filling of cracks must be equivalent to real ones. A scale physical model from equivalent materials and mathematical solutions were used as a basic method for the study of geotechnical problems. Keywords: failure mechanics, failure history, physical model, mathematical model, stability of rock mass, jointed rock mass.

Keywords

failure mechanics, failure history, physical model, mathematical model, stability of rock mass, jointed rock mass.