Determination of rock mass deformation modulus by means of traveling load tests—Part I: Theory of the traveling load test in an open pit

A new scheme named the Traveling Load Test is proposed to measure the macroscopic deformation modulus of the floor rock mass in an open pit, covering a volume of rock mass much larger than conventional loading tests. Facility of the test includes extra-large excavators as load-sources on the flat surface and high-resolution borehole tilt-meters installed in rock to detect the microscopic tilt induced by the load. Emphasis is given to the theory of deformation modulus determination, which is applicable to the field where the floor is fully covered by an accumulation of loose blocks of stone produced by blasting damage and/or stress relief. The relation between the induced tilt and the traveling load is formulated, and subsequently it is shown how the deformation modulus is determined by analyzing the induced tilt-loading distance curve, within acceptable engineering accuracy.