HOF Citations 2016 Mining Software - Dr Terry Wiles

2016
IN ASSOCIATION WITH

MINING SOFTWARE

Dr Terry Wiles
Dr Terry Wiles received a PhD in Civil
Engineering from the University of
Toronto and went on to work for Inco in
Sudbury contributing to some
pioneering work on rockburst alleviation
measures. He left INCO to develop
Map3D, a fully integrated
three‐dimensional layout (CAD),
visualisation (GIS) and stability analysis
package (BEM elasto‐plastic numerical modelling
stress analysis). Map3d has been commercially
available since 1990. Wiles has been solely
responsible for all technical developments and
innovation in Map3D.

In terms of further functionality of Map3D: “Map3D
has the ability to simulate everything from simple
tunnels and tabular shapes to detailed 3D
excavation shapes and large scale mine wide
problems. The difficulty users will encounter in
model construction and interpretation depend on the
amount of complexity required for the simulation at
hand. While simple tabular models or single tunnels
are fast and easy to construct in Map3D, complex
three-dimensional problems are more difficult to
work with and interpret.”

3D non‐linear yielding between drifts

Wiles’s Map3D in-depth overview
A complex 3D mining example from Map3d

Map3d has been the industry standard since 1990
and has been continuously enhanced to provide a
powerful engineering design tool. Map3d numerical
models have been used worldwide for underground
MinCa
excavations, rock slopes, open pits, tunnels,
to 26
account for the presence of fractures and surface
infrastructure loads. The stress analysis models can
simulate yielding (non‐linear) zones of different
moduli (e.g. stiff dykes or soft ore zones) and loads
due to steady state thermal/fluid flow. Excavations
can be intersected by multiple discrete faults
(nonplanar and gouge filled) that slip and open.
Map3D can simulate ground support elements such
as arches, steel sets, props, thick liners, chalks,
backfill etc. “What sets Map3D apart from other
analysis programs is its ability to accommodate a
very wide range of problems in 3D. Large, complex,
fully 3D problems can be built with ease using the
built-in CAD functionality. Combined use of both FF
and DD elements allows for simulations of 3D
excavations with intersecting fractures or shear
planes. The various versions of Map3D fully support
plastic Fault-Slip and 3D rock-mass plasticity,
featuring compatible input files for all versions thus
providing a clear upgrade path as upgrades to
advanced capabilities are required by the user.”

Map3D has a completely self-contained CAD facility.
One of the keys to the ease of use is model construction using either conventional surface elements or the
built-in solid modelling technology. This permits users
to build models using a series of three-dimensional

building blocks. These blocks, which can be any desired

shape or size, are used to construct excavations
and accesses, as well as to define large or irregular
shaped non-homogeneous zones (ore zones, dykes
and yielding zones). All of the material outside the
model boundary is assumed to be a solid host material.
The program automatically builds intersections
between excavations, faults and multiple material
zones. By coupling this capability with the built-in
Boolean operations, complex multi-step mining
sequences can be constructed with ease.

Open pit and underground workings