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By D. J. Reddish

An understanding of the mechanisms that cause large seismic events in a deep mine provides a foundation for designing effective measures to reduce the incidence of these events, as well as reduce the potential for damage arising from these events. The work described in this paper focuses analytical efforts on major recognizable and controllable factors that influence mining-induced seismicity and serves to screen out many of the more random aspects of individual events. Information used in this study was developed in the course of a long-standing rock burst research program conducted by the U. S. Bureau of Mines in cooperation with mines in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District and regional universities. Information was collected on 39 seismic events having local magnitudes greater than 2.5 that occurred between 1989 and 1994. Five major types of events were developed from these data that describe all but two of the 39 large events. The characteristic mechanisms, tint-motion pattern, damage pattern, and relationships to mining and major geologic structures were defined for each type of event. This information provides a foundation for assessing whether or not changes in mining activity aimed at reducing one type of rock burst will increase the incidence of other types.

Jan 1, 1996

By Rajagopala Reddy Kallu

After the Sago and Darby No. 1 mine incidents, the new regulatory standards for the design of mine seals in underground coal mines of the United States require the mine seals to withstand higher explosion standards. This necessitated for the development of new design approaches and standards. For development of any new design standards or approaches a detailed understanding of effect of key influencing parameters on the stability of mine seal is a must. This paper attempts to address one of the factors, i.e. roof convergence, that play an important role in the stability of mine seal under explosion loading. Initially a couple of three dimensional numerical models were built and tested for different levels of roof convergence. These models confirmed that roof convergence has great influence on seal stability. A detailed study is undertaken, with some simple assumptions, to establish typical influence of roof convergence on the stability of mine seal under different levels of static explosion pressures. Three dimensional distinct element code 3DEC is used for this purpose.

Jan 1, 2007

By Wouter Hartman

Xuandong Coal Mine is mining coal in one of the most challenging underground environments in the world. This work has found that it is not only challenging but it also has the composition for some interesting rock mechanics and ground control conditions. The paper highlights the extreme mining and rock mass behavior conditions encountered when mining coal at 900 m below surface. It was found that the ground control environment associated with geological weakness, low coal material strength and stiffness, was reasonably well controlled; however, the chain pillar geometry and design did not take these geological weaknesses into consideration. Some of the chain pillars employed were quite large, which resulted in floor punching and secondary floor heave, which causes extreme difficulty for production. No barrier pillar has been employed except for the center 164-m-wide main headings pillar with a w/h ratio in excess of 40. After assessing the location and geometry of a 200-m-thick dolerite sill overlaying the coal measures, we found the probability of it breaking up into to smaller fragments and producing a larger goaf to be low. Therefore, the influence of the dolerite sill on chain pillar loading is considered small compared to the low coal, immediate floor and roof rockmass strength. It is further recognized that horizontal stresses could be locked up within the dolerite sill, which would likely result in regional bending that would be distributed through the chain pillars. This has, to some extent, already occurred, and the effects have been seen and felt through excessive floor heave, pillar punching, and coal bumps (seismicity). We?ve also found that there was a need to employ basic rock mechanics principals in assessing the stability of future multiple seam mining layouts.

Jan 1, 2012

By L. J. Lorig

Much of the present knowledge about caving behavior of rock masses has been obtained from empirical observations. Additional notions about caving have been developed through inferences derived from two-dimensional finite element analyses. These analyses have indicated that a combination of one low-angle set of fractures and one nearly vertical set of fractures is the optimum fracturing configuration for ease of cavability of an orebody. This paper presents the results of two- and three-dimensional distinct element analyses which draw different conclusions than those reported from finite element studies. The distinct element method is selected far analysis of cavability because this method treats the rock mass as an assemblage of rock blocks which may interact individually, The results of the analyses are compared to a documented case history which involved a groundfall of 80,000 tons of ore in a 160-foot high pillar. The mechanics associated with these results are-explained in terms of simple static stability analysis of wedges. The propensity for orebody caving is primarily a function of the number of joint sets or potential "release" surfaces in the orebody. This mechanism is influenced by the bounding weak discontinuities, and intact strength of rock material.

Jan 1, 1989

By Takashi Sasaoka, Hiroshi Takamoto, Akihiro Hamanaka, Pongpanya Phnthoudeth, Hideki Shimada, Jiro Oya

"Indonesia is the second largest coal exporter to Japan, accounting for about 30 Mt annually. They produced over 400 Mt in 2015, over 99% of which is from open-cut mines. However, the conditions of surface mining are becoming worse year by year: the stripping ratio is increasing, the economy is worsening, and the infrastructure for coal transportation from inland mining areas is not being maintained. To meet the demand for coal in Indonesia and the rest of the world, underground mines have to be developed. In consideration of growing need, our research program is conducting a study on the potential for an underground coal mine in Indonesia. This research is being done through the roadway heading research program, which is looking into developing an underground coal mine from an open pit highwall. The greatest challenge for underground coal mine development in Indonesia is the maintaining the safety of the mine roadway during heading because the roof rock is exceptionally weaker. There is a potential for heading below mobile, unconsolidated soft sediment, and instead mining a deep area. This increases the likelihood for problems in the stability of the support system due to increasing ground pressure. The ground behavior around the roadway was measured using telltales, extensometers, and convergence measurements. Moreover, rock property tests were also conducted on exploration drilling cores. Based on the geological dates and monitoring data, a series of numerical analyses were conducted in order to assess support needs in the main roadway under different depths. Results of numerical analyses indicate that the current arch support design is effective when the mining depth is lower than 100m. However, if the mining depth is larger than 100m, the current arch support design should be changed to include the application of higher yield strength material, shorter spacing, etc. Moreover, bolting may also be useful if ground pressure is high locally. Based on a series of measurement data of ground and support behavior, a control criterion for main roadways under weak geological conditions is proposed in this paper."

Jan 1, 2017

By Peter Cain

The paper presents previously unpublished results derived from an unique interaction moitoring program conducted in the Sydney Coalfield of Nova Scotia. An abandoned, sealed longwall gateroad was re-entered and instrumented prior to extracting a longwall face 140 m below it. Instrumentation included piezometers connected to a constant head tank to monitor subsidence, and horizontally mounted extensometers to measure strains associated with subsidence. Survey levelling data was also collected. The monitoring results have allowed a number of significant conclusions to be drawn, all of which were either unanticipated or contradict current mainstream thinking. Firstly, interaction subsidence was less than anticipated. Secondly, the effects of rate of face advance on the development of the subsidence profile are evident. Thirdly, compressive strains are shown to remain in the subsided strata. Finally, strata response to undermining was almost immediate. The impact of these findings on the extraction of longwall panels beneath flooded workings in the Sydney Coalfield are discussed.

Jan 1, 1996

By Yi Luo

A longwall mining operation went under a tall, self-supporting and free-standing wireless communication transmission tower. In anticipation of that the ground subsidence process might affect the transmission tower, the mining company took a proactive approach to mitigate the expected subsidence influences. The efforts include prediction of surface subsidence process at the location of the tower, assessment of stability, structural integrity and functionality of the tower structures, and design and implementation of mitigation measures. The intension of this paper is to demonstrate the techniques that can be used to assess and mitigate the subsidence effects on tall self-supporting and free standing tower structures.

Jan 1, 2008

By C. Fairhurst

Most of the papers designated as being within the topic of underground storage at this Symposium are concerned with aspects of radioactive waste isolation. Although this is, unquestionably, an important international application of underground storage, and one involving a considerable number of research investigations, the subject of underground storage is indeed much broader. Several major international conferences have been devoted exclusively to it. Applications include storage, under a range of temperatures and pressures, of oil and liquefied petroleum products, compressed air, heat, foodstuffs of various kinds, hazardous and 'nuisance' industrial by-products, and a variety of special applications, both civilian and military - some in use, others proposed. Storage may be in caverns excavated specifically for the purpose, exhausted mines may be adapted for storage or, in some cases, the material to be stored may be injected under pressure into the pore spaces of porous-permeable formations at depth. A variety of rock types and geological environments are used, e.g. excavations in salted or domal salt, where long-term creep closure of the openings is a concern; massive granite, where fluid loss through fissures may be important. Cavities may have spans of several tens of meters, and there is interest in achieving still larger excavations. As would be expected, this breadth of underground storage applications introduces a similarly broad range of questions in rock mechanics and rock engineering. The report will review these questions and recent developments in rock mechanics research, computational procedures, and design applications - and will also discuss the opportunities for a still greater range of applications of underground storage to current industrial and social problems.

Jan 1, 1989

By Raymond A. Mazzoni

Over the last twenty years, roof support technology has made numerous advances since the original wedge and slotted bolts of the 1950's. By comparison, the roof supports used today are more complex and specialized than the supports used in the past, providing mines with a varied selection of supports from which to choose. As a result, when problems with supports are encountered, it is more difficult to determine whether it is the result of geological changes, poor installation practices, or malfunctioning supports. Recognizing this problem, MSHA's Roof Control Division of the Pittsburgh Safety and Health Technology Center, has undertaken the task of publishing a guide for trouble¬shooting problems encountered with roof support systems. The purpose of this guide is to provide a logical sequence to resolving the most common problems encountered with roof supports. The objective of this paper is to introduce this guide to the mining industry as well as provide insight into the evolution of the guide from its beginnings as rudimentary charts to its more comprehensive present format as a practical guide for use by the mining commu¬nity.

Jan 1, 1997

By Richard D. Begley

This paper summarizes the development of a mechanistic model to predict longwall mining induced surface subsidence. The model was originally developed from data acquired from a recent field study conducted in Northern West Virginia. Additional data has been collected from published sources and used to refine the model. The original model utilizes a negative exponential equation to predict the subsidence profile after the maximum possible subsidence is predicted based on the following input parameters: mine geometry, angle of draw and expansion factors for the deformation zones that have been identified above a longwall excavation. The model refinement involved the development of relationships between physical properties of the overburden strata and angle of draw in addition to the expansion or bulking factors. Therefore the refined model now requires only mine geometry and a typical geologic column from the site to predict the subsidence profile. This paper provides the methodology that enables the model to determine the angle of draw and expansion factors breed on physical properties of the site geology i. e. percent of strong rock and Rock Quality Designation of the overburden strata. In addition :comparisons of predicted results with measured data for over H) different sites with various geological and geometrical parameters located throughout the United States will be presented.

Jan 1, 1989

By H. Guo

There are a number of methods available for the determination of the fracture toughness of rock. Some of the most recognised methods include the hollow pressured cylinder, the short-rod, the chevron - edge-notched round bar in bending and the disc-shaped compact specimen. Most of these tests are difficult and expensive to conduct. In this paper the simple Brazilian testing of discs for tensile strength has been used to determine their fracture toughness. Tests were conducted on six different rock types and the values of the fracture toughness obtained for each type are in close agreement with the results of the well recognised the chevron edged types. Details of the tests, and analytical validation of the technique, are presented

Jan 1, 1992

By V. D. Jalevsky

A new methodology of an experimental-analytical approach has been developed. It is used in building an information geomechanic monitoring system for the modeling of geomechanic processes during coal seam working. The approach synthesizes experimental (in-situ) measurements of rock pressure manifestation in separate points, methods of numerical modeling of processes on rock boundaries with coal, and a seam analytical calculation of rock mass in a spatial strained state. One of the realizations of this approach is the developed theory and calculation method of adjoining rock surface shift (overhang) formation during underground working of sheet deposits and of rock mass geomechanic state determination. There are description algorithms of cavity configurations with broken lengths of faces during underground working of useful mineral sheet deposits. These algorithms have been used in computer modeling of formations of adjoining rock surface overhangs and abutment pressure upon rock mass in the area of coal faces with irrectilinear longwalls. Peculiarities of surfaces shifts and stress allocation are established for different face schemes. The use of theory and methods alloww working out techniques of automatic control to receive processing algorithms of RPM measurement results and calculate geomechanic situations within panels in the process of planning and development as well as during mining, i.e., to carry out long-term prediction, in-line control, and short-term prediction of rock pressure manifestations.

Jan 1, 1996

By Chris Mark

Successful longwall mining requires a stable tailgate entry. Gate entry performance is influenced by a number of geotechnical and design factors, including: - Pillar size and pillar loading; - Roof quality; - Floor quality; - Entry width; and, - Artificial support (primary and secondary). This paper describes a comprehensive, practical, design methodology, based on statistical analysis of a nationwide data base of longwall ground control experience. Geotechnical surveys were conducted at 44 U.S. longwall mines, and underground observations of site geology, entry conditions, and support design were recorded at each mine. The observations were combined with discussions with mine personnel to identify 69 longwall gate entry designs as satisfactory, unsatisfactory, or borderline. Only conventional longwall designs, in which the pillars are expected to carry the full abutment loads, were included in the data base. Designs which employed yield pillars only were excluded. The case histories were characterized using five descriptive parameters. Pillar design was described by the Analysis of Longwall Pillar Stability Factor (ALPS SF). A major new contribution is the Coal Mine Roof Rating (CMRR), a rock mass classification system that quantifies the structural competence of bolted mine roof. Other quantitative measures were developed for primary support, secondary support, and entry width. Multivariate statistical analyses indicated that in 84% of the case histories the tailgate performance could be correctly predicted using just ALPS and the CMRR. Most of the misclassified cases fell within a very narrow borderline region. The analyses also confirmed that primary support and gate entry width are essential elements in successful gate entry design. The relative importance of the floor and of secondary support could not be determined from the data. Based on these results, a simple equation was developed to guide the design of longwall pillars and gate entries: ALPS SF,, = 1.76 - 0.014 CMRR Where: ALPS SF, = ALPS SF suggested for design. Guidelines for entry width and primary support density, as related to the CMRR, are also provided.

Jan 1, 1993

By Kot F. v. Unrug

The present combination of coal market prices and reserves, situated in the Central Appalachian Coal Field, is such that mining of smaller coal reserve blocks has become economically attractive. In above drainage deposits, and particularly under mountain ridges, overburden depth can be changing within a wide range. Mines operating in these deposits are usually developing mains along the center of the ridge, with panels projecting from the mains towards the outcrop. Due to changing topography, proximity of the outcrop, and related cover depth, the panels have various lengths. In this reported case study, a mine in Pike County, Kentucky, along the Kentucky ?West Virginia border, difficult ground conditions were encountered, during the development of the mains, under shallow cover, along a narrow mountain ridge. An area having unusual density of vertical joints was encountered. Mining operations were suspended because of roof stability concerns. The ground conditions were studied, analyzed, and control measures proposed to ensure safe passage through the difficult roof area of the mine. The advancement of the mains, through this area of challenging ground conditions, was successfully completed. In this paper, ground conditions are described, with an explanation of the geologic process contributing to their formation. It is interesting to note that similar locations were predicted by the authors, to be encountered in the same mine, based upon the experience gathered from studying conditions of the case described within this paper. When approaching the predicted locations, stability problems appeared to be even more challenging than those encountered previously. Due to changes in the coal market, mine management chose to move the affected mining section to another area of the mine having better coal quality. The advancement of the mains, through the difficult ground conditions, was temporarily postponed. Based upon the analysis of a probable kinematical mechanism of blocks in the mine roof, ground control measures were proposed. The actual application of these principles proved to be appropriate, ensuring safe passage through the difficult ground conditions encountered in the mine.

Jan 1, 2006

By P. Gaskell

The paper examines the development of rock movement between a longwall extraction horizon and the surface for a fully caved mining situation. Physical modelling has been used to examine the mechanics of ground movement and the propagation of fractures around the longwall working. The paper discusses dimensional analysis, model construction and measurement technique and data processing of the results into effective graphical forms for further study.

Jan 1, 1988

By Jon Bowler

Daw Mill Colliery, UK Coal, near Coventry in England, mines the Warwickshire Thick Seam at 800 m/2500 ft depth using longwall retreat with gateroads supported by rockbolts. Over the last eight years the mine has worked longer and wider panels with extraction heights of over 5 m. Recently the mine has experienced high deformation conditions principally from the rib sides resulting in operational issues and production delays. Investigation of rib deformation was undertaken using new inspection and measurement techniques, including systematic laser surveying, and improved rib support consumables were developed and introduced. A new rib trussing system using textile webbing has proved very successful.. A rib support management system was also developed and introduced for face retreat. This allowed rib support to be more effectively managed both for production and safety. For the current developments, new 28-mm-diameter roof and rib bolt systems have been introduced and rib bolt length has been increased to 3 m, with the aim of achieving gateroad stability over the life of the panel. Significant reductions in roof and rib deformation have been confirmed by the latest monitoring results. These ground control innovations are allowing Daw Mill?s potential to be realised. Production from 302?s face in 2008 set new UK and European records. However the support enhancement process continues and further innovations are planned.

Jan 1, 2009

By Sudhir Kumar Kashyap

In underground activities ground control is a challenging problem. It affects safety, production, and efficiency. As per statistics of accident data, ?fall of roof/sides? is one of the major causes of mine accidents. In many cases, our experiences and understanding of soil and rock behavior still fall short of being able to predict how the ground will behave. Presently, empirical approaches to design are widely used in estimating mine support parameters. Under these circumstances, expert judgment plays an important role, and such accidents can be obviated with accurate measurement and optimization of data and analysis using the neuro-fuzzy technique of artificial intelligence. Recently, a neuro-fuzzy hybrid approach has become one of the major areas of interest in engineering fields because it gets the benefits of neural networks as well as those of fuzzy logic systems, and it removes the individual disadvantages by combining them on the common features. Neural network and fuzzy logic technologies have common features, such as a distributed representation of knowledge, the ability to handle data with uncertainty and imprecision, etc., like in ground control. Fuzzy logic technique has tolerance for imprecision of data, while neural networks have tolerance for noisy data. In this paper we have focused an intelligent technique, i.e., neuro-fuzzy technique, to approximate the setting load given to the standing support (props) erected for the purpose of supporting freshly exposed roof during underground mining. We have used twelve input variables of rock parameters, and after having trained using a neural network with a sigmoidal function as an activation function, simulation was done to find the output parameter, i.e., the pre-load (setting load)to be applied on props. Outputs of the neural network were again fed to the fuzzy system together with the twelve parameters, incorporating five triangular membership functions for each parameter. Final optimum output was approximated using the MATLAB program, which was found to be satisfactory. Neuro-fuzzy technique has better performance over individual neural networks or fuzzy logic technique.

Jan 1, 2012

By Peter Cain

In response to the appearance of excessive convergence of bolted gateroads in the front abutment zone of retreating coal faces at Phalen Colliery, staff from the CANMET Cape Breton Coal Research Laboratory in Sydney, N.S. initiated a programme of roof profile measurements in the front abutment zone of longwall headgates. The results of these measurements allowed a characteristic deformation curve to be determined for each headgate, and the early identification of areas showing an unstable deformation trend. These areas were then reinforced with supplementary support. The monitoring programme was adopted and enlarged by the rock mechanics staff of the Cape Breton Development Corporation, and has been continuing for a period of approximately two years. A sufficient quantity of data now exists to be able to make an assessment of the effects of a number of mining parameters on the performance of the gateroad in the front abutment zone. The following paper describes the method of measurement, illustrated by typical results, and goes on to relate variations in rate and patterns of movement to geology, interaction, method of support and pre-mining stresses.

Jan 1, 1996

By Mikhail P. Nesterov

The paper presents the results of the research that can forecast the development of subsidences and deformations of the earth surface with time in the permanent marginal areas of the movement troughs arising when mining sylvinite beds in the Upper Kama deposit of potash ores where the rock formation support is made by means of interchamber (rib) pillars of various yieldability.

Jan 1, 1997

By Gavin J. Faulkner

This paper presents an investigation of some alternatives, and improvements to timber posts and cribs. The purpose is to find a cheaper, better, easy to install, and effective means to replace or improve them. Selection of supports needs to take account of several factors. These factors include the mechanical behavior of the support, technical feasibility, and cost. In this paper a variety of supports are compared on these bases. Particular advantages and disadvantages of those supports have been determined through published material and a testing program. A broad evaluation of a number of specific groups of supports is presented. Included in this evaluation are timber posts and cribs, steel friction props and several, newer developments such as the Micon Yield Capsule and the Super Post. Another support that will be briefly discussed is steel-fiber-reinforced concrete. Particular emphasis will be placed on the Micon Yield Capsule and the Super Posts on which preliminary testing has been carried out. The testing results are presented in detail. The shortcomings of the test procedure are pointed out and some new ideas to improve the testing in the future are proposed.

Jan 1, 1986