Authors: V.V. Aksenov, A.I. Kopytov, D.A. Pashkov, A.A. Wetti

Title of the article: Simulation of mine skip spillage in Rocky DEM for load determination on a wedge-type protective shelf

Year: 2026, Issue: 2, Pages: 144-157

Branch of knowledge: 2.8.8 Geotechnology, mining machines

Index UDK: 004.94 : 622.256.753 : 622.678.53

DOI: 10.26730/1999-4125-2026-2-144-157

Abstract: During the reconstruction of mining enterprises, an essential task is to combine the deepening of a vertical shaft with the operation of the production hoist, which transports the mined rock to the surface. Shaft deepening is a critical stage of reconstruction, as further mine development and preparatory works on the lower levels, providing access to new mineral reserves, become possible only after its completion. Under these conditions, the safety of shaft workers is ensured by protective shelves that absorb impact loads from technological rock spillage generated during loading-system operation or accidental skip self-dumping. Existing methods for determining impact loads on protective shelves rely primarily on empirical dependencies that include numerous difficult-to-define coefficients. This limits calculation accuracy and reduces applicability in contemporary engineering practice. Improving the reliability of load assessment requires the adoption of mathematical modeling and modern numerical methods. This study performs simulation of rock spillage impact using the discrete element method in the Rocky DEM software to determine the parameters of contact loads acting on a wedge-type protective shelf. The obtained results serve as input data for stress–strain analysis of structural elements in the CAE Fidesys environment. The application of this integrated approach enhances the accuracy of calculations and supports the justification of design parameters for the wedge-type protective shelf

Key words: Vertical shaft skip hoist wedge-type protective shelf emergency spillage magnetite ore DEM

Receiving date: 24.12.2025

Approval date: 15.05.2026

Publication date: 29.06.2026

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