Back analysis of the Kanowna Belle stope filling case history

A fully coupled multi-physics finite element model has been used to conduct a back-analysis of a stope filling case history at the Kanowna Belle (KB) mine in Western Australia. The model captures a number of important characteristics of mine backfill behaviour, including the evolution of strength and consolidation properties with cement hydration, the impact of chemical shrinkage (self-desiccation) and de-saturation. Material parameters for the constitutive model have been calibrated using published laboratory test data. A reasonable match between ideal and actual elements of response as revealed through in-situ measurements of total stress and pore pressure was obtained using these initial parameters. A parametric study was then performed which showed that the backfill strength parameters (friction angle, dilation and cohesion), the chemical volume shrinkage, the rate of cement hydration and the water retention properties all have a significant influence on the calculated states of stress within the stope.