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Rock mechanics

Rock mechanics is a theoretical and applied science of the mechanical behaviour of rock and rock masses. Structures built on rock or excavated within it, such as those in mining applications (underground and surface), and civil works (tunnels, dams, hydroelectric infrastructure and road cuts), rely on rock mechanics to ensure excavation stability and informed reinforcement designs.

Instability in the rock surrounding excavations is an ever-present threat to the safety of mine personnel and equipment. In addition, ore dilution due to rock falls can reduce the profitability of the mining operation. To mitigate these threats, it's important to understand the causes of instability and to design measures that will either eliminate or minimize these problems.

Rock mechanics

    • Soil Infra - Rock Mechanics

      Stability is synonymous with safety

      Understanding the characteristics of the underlying bedrock will help identify optimal excavation criteria and predict how it will respond over time. Similarly, extracting rock mass characteristics from geological drilling data enables rock mechanics to anticipate risks ahead of the planned excavation.

      Rock characteristics can change over time, due to factors such as the degradation of exposed rock surfaces, hydrological influences and rock excavation practices. For example, if water seeps into a fault, conditions can change dramatically, and corrective measures may be required.

      To ensure that your everyday operations are occurring in stable rock and that your teams can access your infrastructure safely, appropriate reinforcement designs are essential. Experienced engineers who specialize in rock mechanics can help you plan your operations, based on reliable geomechanical data, and effectively sequence blasting activities.

    • Rock Mechanics Arcelor Mittal

      Practical fieldwork experience

      Our experts will work in collaboration with your rock mechanics engineers to find the best solutions at the best cost. We use data from geological drilling, field observations and analysis of rock characteristics to gain a detailed and accurate understanding of the situation.

      Our engineers look at geomechanical data, supported with empirical and numerical modelling processes, to study the rock behaviour. These insights allow us to design optimal rock excavations, mining sequences and ground stabilization measures.

      Having completed countless hours of fieldwork, our highly experienced team members can effectively liaise between mine operators, geologists, mining engineers and blasting experts.

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