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By Wei Wu

A new bench blast design method and its realization with the assistance of the computer is introduced. The basic design principle is to define a rhomb cell, called fully-fractured zone, through a series of full scale bench crater tests and apply this geometric pattern in multi-hole, multi-row blast design. To illustrate the design method, the optimization process and assessment of blast performance are presented in the context of a case study.

Jan 1, 1992

By Alan A. Campoli

Fosroc continues as a leader in the development of cementitious technology for the mining industry. The considerable expertise accumulated in the development of the Fm cement line has been employed in the development of two pumpable, supplemental roof support systems. The Tekprop system is a unique combination of steel and concrete, specifically designed as a viable alternative to conventional wooden supplementd support. The second system is the Fosroc mineable mi which is a cost competitive variable yield system designed to support longwall ventilation and predriven recovery room entries. Two, separate, ongoing, full scale applications of these systems will be discussed during the inference presentation

Jan 1, 1997

By Ross W. Seedsman

The in situ behaviour of claystone floors associated with the Wallarah, Great Northern and Fassifem Seams has been studied using a comprehensive suite of stress and displacement monitors. The instrumentation was supplemented by in situ and laboratory testing of the claystone materials. The instrumentation demonstrated that the presence of claystone floors is associated with floor heave, extra rib spall, and settlement of the pillar into the floor. Horizontal floor extensometers showed that the depth of extrusion of clay was limited to 1-2 in. A pore pressure transducer installed in a claystone floor demonstrated the possible existence of short-term undrained behaviour of the claystone. Long term swelling of destressed claystone was also documented. Settlement of pillars into claystone floors can be analysed using simple elastic theory. The assumption of plane strain is valid for most claystone thickness/pillar width aspect ratios. Floor heave can be analysed using bearing capacity concepts. However, it is considered that heave is the result of local bearing capacity failure in the rib spall zone. The advantage of this model is that the bearing capacity equation can be applied without resort to unrealistically high factors of safety.

Jan 1, 1992

By Mohummad Akram

Statistical analysis of multi-seam mining case studies demonstrated that geologic structure and lithological type and sequencing were predominant factors in entry failures. Finite element analysis was used to evaluate the effects of stress field changes on entry instability under differing geologic conditions. Analysis showed the roof to be particularly vulnerable to shear with the location of the failure site changing to meet loading and geologic conditions. Effects of external support on roof stability were examined. Results were correlated with field data to determine stress levels at which failure could be expected to occur. Based on this research design, criteria were developed for roof stability evaluation under specified interactive loading conditions.

Jan 1, 1993

By Ali Benbia

The paper shows results from the physical modelling of longwall excavations concentrating on the fracture pattern development above longwall panels. The modelling technique is briefly described and the detailed analysis of the fracture pattern is discussed. The physical modelling is particularly useful in visualising the caving process above longwall panels. This advantage has been exploited using the image analysis technique. Black and white pictures have been taken while the models are tested in successive stages and then enhanced and stored as binary images by scanning using an image analyser coupled with a video camera. These images are then processed using a custom C program which allows the discretization and characterisation of the fractures. This provides a valuable data base for further numerical and statistical analysis which subsequently may allow the assessment of the water inflow hazard to the workings. In this paper a sequence of different extraction thickness have been analysed using the technique mentioned above to show the effect of the extraction thickness on the fracture distribution and intensity.

Jan 1, 1993

By N. C. Saxena

Subsidence investigations in Indian coalfields have led to development of relationships between subsidence movement parameters and defining of safe limits of subsidence movements for surface properties. The maximum subsidence over caved workings was generally not more than 60% of extraction thickness underground while in case of hydraulically sand stowed workings it was generally not more than 5%. The relationships have been useful in extraction of more than 7-million tonne of coal from underneath and in the vicinity of surface properties.

Jan 1, 1988

By Erik Westman

Tomographic imaging, commonly known as a CAT-scan or CT-scan, is used in the medical field to generate a picture of the interior of a body. Current research is applying this method to bodies of rock so that rock failure can be better understood and predicted. This paper discusses the basic principles of tomography and describes recent developments in the use of seismic tomography in longwall coal mines, including results from a bump-prone longwall coal mine and continuing research.

Jan 1, 2003

By Khaled Morsy

Most of the available numerical codes simulating the reinforcing effect of fully grouted bolt are accomplished by a series of bar elements which are connected along their length to the host rock by shear springs and sliders. The spring-slider system represents the shear bonding effect between the bolt and the host rock. This paper describes a three dimensional finite element modeling technique for the 3D simulation of fully grouted bolt reinforcement. The proposed technique introduced a physical simulation for the fully grouted bolts. The bolt simulation is composed of a series of beam elements (representing the steel rebar) embedded in brick elements (representing the grout). Because of the complexity of the grout/rock interface, ABAQUS explicit code was used. A modification of the ABAQUS default friction model was conducted to consider the cohesion of the grout/rock interface. The interaction between the grout and the host rock is simulated by the modified friction model. To verify the proposed technique, a simulation of the pull out test we conducted. The results from the simulation were compared with former studies

Jan 1, 2004

By Anthony Lannacchione

There has been a persistent need to forecast roof falls so that miner's exposure to hazardous underground environments can be minimized. Several monitoring techniques have been developed and are used today with varying levels of acceptance in the mining industry. This paper examines the potential for monitoring microseismic emissions activity as a means of forecasting roof falls. The use of this activity to forecast roof falls has drawn only limited attention, resulting in a lack of published field performance data. This deficiency is being partially addressed by analyzing data obtained during longwall mining at Moonee Colliery in 1998. The Moonee data base contains a wealth of information concerning roof fall forecast parameters and the seismic alarm criteria used to develop these forecasts. Four seismic alarm criteria were developed and used by Moonee with varying degrees of success. Roof falls were forecasted 73% of the time with average forecast times of 54 minutes. Ninety percent of the predicted roof falls had a warning time, i.e., the time between warning and roof fall event, of greater than 1 minute. The fraction of forecasted roof falls decayed logarithmically as a function of warning time, until only 20% of events were predicted more than 100 minutes prior to roof falls. False alarms occurred in 50% of the warnings. Many of the false alarms were quickly followed by a cessation in mining which could have temporarily halted the on-going failure process. If mining had continued immediately after the false alarms, a roof fall may have occurred soon after. The microseismic activity collected .from Moonee Colliery demonstrates that techniques to forecast roof rock instabilities in underground mines are possible.

Jan 1, 2005

By Shu Cheng

Abstract: Based on the consolidation theory of soil dewatering and land subsidence prediction methods in soil mechanics, preliminary analysis of surface subsidence and movement due to groundwater withdrawal was performed using the stochastic theory and the principles of effective stress and the method for subsidence prediction was derived, Surface subsidence due to coal mining was then superimposed to obtain the total subsidence. Keywords: land subsidence, rock and soil consolidation, stochastic theory, effective stress

Jan 1, 2002

By Zhang Liandong

Roof control in thick-seam mining has long been a difficult problem in mine design and coal mining. In the early 1980's, through ground control instrumentation and investigation the rules of roof strata movement were determined, based on which the sliding roof bar powered support was properly designed and successfully applied to roof control to thick seam mining with caving. Underground trials in Huating Coal Mine produced satisfying results. The technique is being employed in many Chinese coal mines and won the national price for technical advance.

Jan 1, 1990

By John C. Stankus

The success of cable bolts for mine ground control have been well documented in papers presented at this conference too numerous to reference. Cable bolts have proven effective over the years mainly utilized in the form of supplemental support. Some limited work has been conducted on the use of cable bolts as primary support This work has been mainly confined to the West and the bolts utilized were of a non- tensioned type MSHA requirements for primary support have been that the bolt system he tensioned or if non-tensioned, then fully encapsulated with resin. Many operators are now interested in using cable bolts as primary support Further, despite the enormous success of cable bolts, there have been questions raised about the longevity and corrosion characteristics of the cable itself particularly for long tern applications. To improve the corrosion characteristics of cable bolts, galvanized cable has been used for some applications However. although improving the corrosion resistance of cable, galvanized cable for mine ground control does not provide complete protection under certain types of situations and mine environments. Realizing a need for a cable bolt that can be used for primary support and provides consistent installed tension, complete corrosion protection, and a fast installation, Keystone Mining Services. LLC (KMS), an affiliate of Jennmar Corporation, has developed the INSTáL CableOx system. This paper will detail the development and specifics of this system including two underground case studies

Jan 1, 2000

By Binchuan Zhang

Based on the theory of fracture mechanics and blasting, computer simulations were performed to predict the original rock mass structure and those rock mass structures damaged at different levels uing the properties of joints and fratures obtained in the field.

Jan 1, 2001

By Brian E. Travis

The recent development of polymer grids for the underground coal mining industry has created new alternatives for supplemental ground control practices. The grids utilize strong, lightweight polymers - usually special grades of polypropylene. High tensile strengths and resulting load support characteristics are achieved by molecular orientation of these polymers in the manufacturing process. One of the most important applications of polymer grids as supplemental ground control is in longwall shield recovery. When shields are moved from one face to another, the determining factor in the success of the recovery is the ground control provided by roof support structures along the old face. Whereas primary support is usually provided by roof bolts and cables which run the full width of the panel, supplemental support is often provided by metallic meshes of welded wire or chain-link fence. lightweight, high-strength polymer grids replace these heavy, cumbersome metallic meshes, giving the operation increased productivity by decreasing installation time and reducing injury downtime.

Jan 1, 1990

By Dion Pastars

Resin based grouts are the main form of rock bolt anchorage in the underground coal industry in Australia and New Zealand. To be effective, the system requires the mixing of the catalyst and mastic components of the resin, as well as shredding of the laminate cartridge that contains the resin. An unknown measure is the load transfer characteristics of a bolt where the resin is well mixed but remains encased in the cartridge (gloved). Laboratory and in situ field investigations have been undertaken to quantify the performance loss due to mixed gloved bolts. This work showed repeatable results, indicating serious performance loss of the gloved and mixed system, with load transfer approximately 10- 15% of a non-gloved system (MacGregor, 2004). The in situ testing has demonstrated the relationship between the adhesion qualities of the resin and the mechanical interlock generated by radial confinement with progressively increasing tensile load. Effective load transfer is defined by the ability of the system to sustain shear stress on the bolt hole wall.

Jan 1, 2005

By Shuangsuo Yang

Coal ribs can roughly be divided into three types: (1) roof and floor rocks are similar to ribs, (2) roof and floor rocks are stronger than ribs, and (3) roof and floor rocks are weaker than ribs. Different types of roof/floor and ribs will exhibit different types of ground pressure around an entry. Most coal mines belong to the 2" type with ribs fractured or even broken. In this case the mine ground pressure depends on the occurrence and development of deformation and fracture of the ribs. If it's not properly controlled, the following deteriorating process will follow: the roof bent downward > the ribs squeezed and broken > rib sloughing and collapse > rib support to the roof reduced > the roof bent downward further > the ribs broken further. In this paper rib instability is divided into four types: compression/shear sliding rib fall, gravity sliding rib fall, cross arch rib fall, and cleavage rib fall. Since failure in thin walls is largely of tension type whereas that of thick walls by compression or shear, a concept is proposed here to utilize a thick bolted rib to stabilize entry ribs, i.e. the thickness to height ratio of the thick bolted ribs

Jan 1, 2005

By Anton Sroka

The dimensioning of shaft safety zones is a substantial task of mining subsidence engineering. On the one hand, the coal reserves in shaft proximity are to be mined as complete as possible, because they can be made accessible economically. On the other hand, the maintenance of the shaft operation is to be ensured at each time, since shafts represent the most important link between underground and aboveground. Regarding these two criteria, this publication presents a model for the optimization of shaft safety zones. Beyond that, extraction methods in shaft safety zones are described, in particular with consideration of minimized mining influences on the shaft.

Jan 1, 2005

By L. Mahony

This paper describes the design, construction and commissioning testing program for a laboratory facility at the School of Mining Engineering, UNSW, Australia, aimed at evaluating reinforcement tendon performance when subjected to shear loading. The project has been financially supported through the coal industry ACARP research initiative. The single failure plane design adopted in the test rig has been successful in allowing shear loading to be directly applied to fully installed (and where relevant, pre-tensioned) rock bolts. Initial results are extremely encouraging, and illustrate a significant axial component of load development as shearing takes place - particular in lower strength, softer material types. The paper also outlines future plans for use of this facility.

Jan 1, 2005

By Syd Peng

In designing a proper roof support system, one must know the features of roof geology in advance of mining. The drilling parameters obtained during normal roof bolt installation cycle can provide a large amount of information on the roof geology when properly interpreted. It is also an economic way for identifying the geological features of the roof. This research develops a method for predicting the roof geology based on the drilling parameters obtained during roof bolting operation. From the results of a series of laboratory and underground tests, feed pressure is found to be a good indicator for identifying the voids/fractures and estimating the roof rock strength. This paper describes the method for determining quantitatively the location and the size of void/fracture and estimating the roof rock strength from the drilling parameters of roof bolter.

Jan 1, 2005

The effects of corrosion upon the load bearing capacity and ultimate tensile strength of galvanised friction bolts were determined. Corrosion rates were measured by overcoring of the reinforcement elements in situ. Overcoring was achieved at several sites using a specifically designed overcoring drill rig. This rig has the capacity to drill up to 3.0m long 140- diameter core in any orientation and up to a collar height of 7.0m. The recovered core and friction bolt elements were pull tested in the rock mechanics laboratory at the WA School of Mines (WASM) in order to determine their load-displacement characteristics for various embedment lengths. The friction bolt elements were then analysed for rates of corrosion and tested for their ultimate tensile strength. Relationships were formed between these data and the environmental conditions to which the friction bolts were exposed, in order to determine the major factors affecting the corrosion process and how they affect bolt performance.

Jan 1, 2005