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Abstract: Two Indian mines are the subject of a comparative study of a strain-softened Hoek–Brown and FLAC 3D modelling, and a novel ‘c then tan φ’ strain-softening-strain-mobilization approach, using Q-system based input data. This approach is also used with FLAC 3D, using identical stope geometries. The parameters CC and FC, denoting the cohesive component and frictional component of shear strength, are extracted directly from the Q-logging and knowledge of UCS, and are the source of the peak values. Measured deformations, or the strains recorded over the total length of pre-mining installed MPBX, are compared and effectively calibrate the models, in view of the very similar deformations obtained from empirical formulations based on Q using the competence factor approach, as in SRF. The ‘c then tan φ’ approach appears to give the most realistic match to observations in the mines, including the modelling of a shear band within the back or roof of a stope, rather than at the surface of the stope. The Q-based approach also uses a depth-dependent modulus, and this is perhaps the reason why the strain-softened Hoek–Brown model, without this stiffening with depth, shows ‘global failure’ in a second mine having a wider range of depths within one model, and many openings, since modulus is not increased in standard-method approaches. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The evaluation of subgrade strength plays a major role in pavement design. An understanding of subgrade properties enables the selection of road materials for sub-base and base courses. In developing countries like India, apart from the use of well-established traditional pavement evaluation techniques such as the California bearing ratio (CBR) test and the dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) test, the use of non-destructive testing devices such as the portable falling weight deflectometers (PFWDs) has gained popularity in recent years. This is mainly because of the inherent capability of PFWDs in obtaining quick estimates of the modulus of subgrade in addition to their simplicity in design and portability. Thus, there exists a need to correlate the results obtained using PFWDs with those obtained using traditional approaches such as the CBR and the DCP for the benefit of road engineers. This work focuses on exploring the correlations between these approaches for lateritic soils in Dakshina Kannada district, India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]