Finite element modeling of the stability of rooms and resistance structures from the Cantacuzino Mine

Abstract

The Cantacuzino Mine was mined with small rooms and square pillars, on seven levels, over a period of 27 years, extracting over 2.3 million m3 of rock salt. Due to the specific geo-mining conditions, the support structures suffered different degrees of deformation, especially the cracking of the ceilings between the first 5 levels. This article presents a 3D finite element analysis, in elasto-plasticity, of the state of stress and strain that generated the deformation of the pillars and ceilings between levels.