ABSTRACT
Mining structures are often expected to carry large material loads (rocks and ore) and a number of the processes generate dynamic loads e.g. through crushing, scrubbing, screening or milling processes. The support of heavy equipment and machinery as well as the generation of dynamic loading conditions result in the concrete structures being susceptible to an increased rate of deterioration. In shaft mining, depths to levels such as 2 000 m are easily reached and the concrete structures in such shafts are often under extreme environmental and loading conditions. Mining structures, in general, can be exposed to large temperature fluctuations with differences between the highest and lowest temperatures as high as 40°C. These and other factors result in general concrete deterioration. The various concrete structures in mining are exposed to a wide range of loading and operating conditions. Concrete structures supporting mineral processing equipment are susceptible to dynamic as well as impact loads. Structures in the crushing areas are exposed to impact loads (reversing trucks) or rock-breaker forces.
