Institute of Fundamental Technological Research

A viscoplastic constitutive model of rock is proposed for which both yield stress and viscosity undergo variation during the deformation process. The model is initially formulated for a uniaxial stress state; its extension for a general stress state is also provided. Model parameters are determined from compression tests at different values of strain rate, and its application to simulate results of such tests is given. The examples of stress redistribution in a coal seam due to progressing longwall exploitation are presented by applying the developed degradation model. The model provides good simulation of material response in both stable and post-critical stages.

In this paper a viscoplastic constitutive model for rocks is proposed in which both yield stress and viscosity undergo variation during the deformation process. The model is initially formulated for a uniaxial stress state; its extension to a general stress state has been also presented. Our model is capable to sufficiently well predict both the pre-peak hardening and post-peak softening response of rock material in compression providing good simulation of material response in both stable and post-critical stages of deformation. Such behaviour can be obtained for both low and high strain rates. In our examples, model parameters are determined from uniaxial compression tests performed on sandstone at different strain rates.

A model of rock pillar or coal seam is considered assuming linear elastic behaviour before reaching the maximum strength and post-peak behaviour characterized by the residual strength. The deformation and stress across the pillar height are assumed to be uniform and the interaction with overlying rock strata is treated assuming beam model of the strata. The elasto-plastic stress distribution within pillar and the onset of instability occurring for the critical opening span are determined. Comparison with a solution for a simplified “spring” model of pillar is also presented.