Research Information System
EARTH SCIENCE INFORMATICS, vol.18, no.317, pp.1-19, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)
Solution mining in thick evaporites leaves large underground openings
with no roof support. Stiff strata overlaying the production caverns
pose a risk of sudden collapse as excessive loads lead to the sudden
release of strain energy. This violent failure threatens the operational
sustainability and safety. Destressing methods are commonly used to
mitigate the risk by inducing fracture networks in the stiff layers.
This study employs a discontinuum based numerical code to investigate
the alternative destressing schemes on a typical solution mine layout.
Regarded the operational practice and economy, the ribbon and borehole
patterns were simulated with different configurations. Discrete Fracture
Networks were used for implementation of the fractured region. While
the ribbons were examined for spacings of 30 m, 60 m and 90 m, the
boreholes were studied for straight and staggered patterns. A typical
production with a single solution cavern was simulated on a staged
manner and the stress-strain histories were monitored. Comparing the
model results, the most viable destressing scheme was determined for
solution mining. In advance, stress management was also investigated for
destressing wherever multiple stiff layers exist.