Stress and infinitesimal strain

Abstract

The engineering mechanics problem posed by underground mining is the prediction of the displacement field generated in the orebody and surrounding rock by any excavation and ore extraction processes. The rock in which excavation occurs is stressed by gravitational, tectonic and other forces, and methods exist for determining the ambient stresses at a mine site. Since the areal extent of any underground mine openings is always small relative to the Earth’s surface area, it is possible to disregard the sphericity of the Earth. Mining can then be considered to take place in an infinite or semi-infinite space, which is subject to a definable initial state of stress.