Methodological issues in determination of initial parameters for modeling deformation of rock salt as a polycrystalline discrete medium

The article presents the methodological issues in determination of initial data for modeling deformation and fracture of rock salt using the finite-discrete element method. Some recommendations for the formation of a synthetic macrostructure of rock salt based on statistical processing of sizes and shapes of individual structural elements using the Voronoi tessellation method are presented. An approach to finite element modeling on the ground of the generated synthetic salt macrostructure is described. The obtained numerical model is used to predict the stress–strain behavior of rocks and to study the nature of rock failure. The paper presents a method for determining mechanical characteristics of individual rock salt crystals. For this purpose, the laboratory tests are carried out, which allow obtaining the values of strength of crystals. Knowing these values, it is possible to describe the behavior of structural elements under different loading conditions. This can enable selecting appropriate deformation models for the further analysis. The present authors obtained the averaged values of strength of halite crystals corresponding to rocks of the Verkhnekamsk deposit. The proposed integrated approach to the description of structural features of rock salt allows studying such rocks using virtual methods, which saves time and money by eliminating the need for expensive equipment and physical tests. This opens new opportunities for investigating and analyzing properties of rock salt toward the practical application of the knowledge obtained.

Karasev M. A., Petrushin V. V. Methodological issues in determination of initial parameters for modeling deformation of rock salt as a polycrystalline discrete medium. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2024;(9):47-64. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2024_9_0_47.

M.A. Karasev¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor, e-mail: karasevma@gmail.com, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8939-0807,
V.V. Petrushin¹, Graduate Student, e-mail: vlad.petrushin.93@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7743-864X,
¹ Empress Catherine II Saint-Petersburg Mining University, 199106, Saint-Petersburg, Russia.

V.V. Petrushin, e-mail: vlad.petrushin.93@mail.ru.

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