The optical method of modeling the stress state, as it is known, opens wide possibilities of studying the stress state of the rock massif of inter-chamber and ceiling pillars and other elements of the mining system. Until recently, this method was used mainly to solve the problems of stress distribution around single (preparatory) workings. In this paper we set a volumetric task of studying by photoelasticity the stress pattern in the conditions of the pilot block of the Altyn-Topkan mine.

Optical method of stress modeling is now widely used in the study of stress distribution in various building structures, in solving problems of hydraulic engineering, theoretical mechanics and is becoming more and more widespread in mining. The most important issue in this research method is the quality of the material of models, as its properties determine the possibilities of the method and the technique of the experiment. The application of the polarization-optical method to the study of rock pressure issues is particularly difficult because elastic properties are not equally inherent in all rocks. In a number of cases, rocks reveal properties of plasticity, anisotropy, have fractured or layered structure.