The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive

as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.
The scope of developments in mining rock mechanics science and practice has been as impressive
as that in mining engineering. Perhaps the most significant advance has been the resolution of
some longstanding issues of rock fracture, failure and strength and their relation to the modes of
deformation and degradation of rock around mining excavations. The fact that the key research on
this topic was conducted at the Underground Research Laboratory of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited demonstrates the extent to which mining rock mechanics has benefited from fundamental
research in other fields of rock engineering. The mechanics of blocky rock has also been a field of
impressive development, particularly in regard to formulation of a broad spectrum of methods of
analysis of block jointed rock and their application in excavation engineering and support and
reinforcement design. More generally, improved understanding of the mechanics of discontinuous
rock has had a profound effect on simulation of caving mechanics and therefore on the design and
operation of block caving and sublevel caving mines.