CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF APPROACHES TO DETERMINING THE STRESS-STRAIN STATE OF THE "HORIZONTAL WORKING – LAYERED MASSIF" SYSTEM

Purpose. To perform a critical analysis of approaches to determining the stress-strain state of the "horizontal working – layered massif" system. Obtain informed decisions for applying a specific approach to the case of a layered massif. To substantiate the metric of finite element models of the system "horizontal working – layered massif". Methodology. To achieve the purpose, the peculiarities of approaches to determining the stress-strain state of the system "horizontal working – rock massif" were analyzed. It has been proven that layering is the most important structural feature of the surrounding rock massif. A detailed analysis of mathematical methods for solving elastic-plastic problems for rock massifs was performed. Findings. During the analysis of solving the problem of determining the stress-strain state of the system "horizontal working – layered massif", two approaches were identified, each of which has its own set of methods. These approaches are analytical one and numerical, each of them has special features. It has been confirmed that recently the studies of the system "horizontal working - rock massif" are mostly based on the numerical approach, leaving only a small share of the total volume to the analytical one. It was determined that the introduction of numerical methods, in particular, the method of finite elements in  specialized  software complexes, allowed to change the concept of research in geomechanics and mechanics of underground structures, shifting the focus to mathematical and simulation modeling. Originality. Based on the results of the critical analysis of the approaches, the use of numerical analysis based on finite-element models is scientifically substantiated. It is this approach to determining the stress-strain state of the "horizontal working – layered massif" system that allows for layering to be taken into account without additional assumptions. Practical value. In the course of research, it has been proven that a spatial finite-element model from a flat prototype, but limited to a thickness of 0.1 or 1 m, is adequate for the given task, provided that plane deformation is considered.