Geomechanical evaluation of a coal mine arched entry

Summary In an effort to minimize cutter roof failures in longwall development entries of a West Virginia coal mine, a three-entry system was developed with the center entry arched into the strata above the coal seam. The purpose of the arched entry was to modify the horizontal stress envelope associated with the three-entry system and improve roof conditions in the adjacent outside entries.Contrary to the predictions of elastic analyses, the presence of the arched entry improved roof conditions by eliminating cutter roof failures in the outside entries.In situ stress determinations and numerical modeling techniques were employed to quantify the impact of the arch and investigate the mechanism of stress relief associated with the arched entry. Stress determinations and underground observations indicated that the roofs of the outside entries were within the zone of stress relief generated by the arch, and that failure or movement along bedding plane discontinuities played a major role in the formation of the stress relieved zone. The numerical model incorporated horizontal joints to simulate bedding plane discontinuities. The properties of the joints were adjusted until roof stresses predicted by the model were in agreement with measured stress profiles. This process resulted in a calibrated analytical tool that could be used to evaluate alternate mining geometries.     

Evaluation of the Effect of Fault on the Stability of Underground Workings of Coal Mine through DEM and Statistical Analysis

The rock mass around an excavation is generally traversed by different geological discontinuities such as faults, folds, slips, joints, etc. Fault is one of the major geological discontinuities which creates lot of difficulties during underground winning of coal. Entire stress regime and ground conditions in the formation are altered in and around the faults. Faults also impose detrimental effects by introducing impurities, including clay and various forms of mineral matter into the coal seams; opening of pathways for the influx of water and gas into the underground workings; displacing the coal seams upward/downwards making the coal seams difficult or sometimes impractical to mine. Appropriate evaluation of the effect of the fault on the stability of the underground workings is a requisite for safe design of the underground mining structures. In this paper, a study has been carried out to assess the effect of the fault on the stability of underground coal mines by numerical simulation with distinct element method (DEM). On the calibrated DEM model, parametric study has been performed by varying the selected parameters, the dip and the friction angles of the fault. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) shows that both the factors have statistically significant effect on the strength of the coal pillar. Similarly, the displacement of the immediate roof and the height of the disturbed strata are evaluated by the DEM modelling and statistical analysis when the fault passes through the middle of the gallery. The results of ANOVA for both cases indicate that the both factors have significant effect on the displacement of the immediate roof and the height of the disturbed strata. It is obtained from the study that the low angle fault causes high instability in the immediate roof. The paper has been supplemented with the field observations where instability in underground roadways of a coal mine in India is caused by the fault. It was observed in VK-7 incline mine of Singareni Collieries Company Limited, India that there was sudden failure of immediate roof of a roadway where a low angle fault crosses the middle of the roadway. The findings of the paper help to understand the behaviour of the coal pillar and the surrounding rock mass in the presence of the fault. The study would also help to take appropriate decisions about the unstable regions of the working safeguarding safety in underground coal mines.     

Application of an Improved Flow-Stress-Damage Model to the Criticality Assessment of Water Inrush in a Mine: a Case Study

This paper presents a case study of water inrush on a mine working face from roof strata. The flow-rock failure process analysis (F-RFPA^2D) code with an improved flow-stress-damage (FSD) model was adopted to perform the failure and coupling analysis. The improved FSD model was used to represent the permeability variation at the four stages (elastic, damaged, cracked, and crack closure) of the rock failure process. The fracture initiation, propagation, and coalescence in the stressed strata and the seepage field evolution in the stress field are represented visually during the whole process of water inrush. The failure zone with high permeability induced by mining disturbance becomes the water-conducting zone after full excavation of the coal seam. The height of the water-conducting zone obtained in this study is in reasonable accordance with that predicted by an empirical formula. It is definitely clarified that the water inrush from the roof strata is induced by the failure zone full of vertical coalesced mine fractures. It is unlikely that roof accidents resulting in water inrush would occur if the water-conducting zone does not grow upwards into the aquifer. The main task for mine extraction under a confined aquifer is to locate the aquifer and find the maximum height of the water-conducting zone, which is very important for mine construction and support design.     

石窟薄层顶板破坏的早期潜在原因分析

为了探讨导致某石窟4号硐顶板破坏的最初潜在原因,根据石窟变形破坏规律及结构边界条件,采用粘弹性薄板理论,给出了广义开尔文模型下岩层的粘弹性变形、应力解析解。为了在任意一时刻给出全域应力、位移的分布状态,提出了一种解析解全域逐点搜索法,将全域划分细密网格,用所建立的解析解计算每小区中点的应力及网格点位移值。通过分析计算,给出了石窟顶板随时间变化的位移场、变形规律及顶板可能产生受拉破坏的变化规律,其中,有两处的受拉区分界线与现在的破坏裂缝线基本吻合,说明石窟成形初期,因内能释放而产生的受拉区及其边界分界线是后来真正破坏的早期潜在不稳定源。这一结论对保护和维护石窟稳定性具有实际参考意义。实例表明,所建立的模型及分析方法是正确和合理的,方法及结论均具有通用性。     

运用三维变密度潮汐效应模型确定滨海含水系统的海底等效边界——山东烟台夹河中下游地区为例

确定咸淡水界面的位置是滨海地区海水入侵研究的主要任务之一。对于天然条件承压含水层而言，含水层顶板向海底延伸的距离直接影响了咸淡水界面的位置，它可以通过承压含水层中地下水的潮汐效应信息来确定。考虑到咸淡水之间密度的差异，建立了山东省夹河中下游地区滨海含水系统地下水三维变密度潮汐效应模型。通过反复对比潮汐效应观测中的地下水水头波动与模型计算出的水头波动，确定了滨海承压含水系统的海底边界。同时，也初步估计出海区与近海陆区含水层的水文地质参数。     

导水裂缝带部分波及顶板含水层条件下涌水量预测

针对煤层顶板导水裂缝带部分波及含水层时涌水量预测不准确问题,通过对煤层回采后顶板水文地质条件变化、顶板含水层地下水渗流场变化进行分析,建立工作面水文地质概念模型,得出了基于达西定律和承压水Dupuit理论的顶部进水型涌水量预测模型。通过对数学模型的分析论证,并将此涌水量数学模型应用于实际生产,得出涌水量预测模型概化合理,符合煤层开采实际情况下水文地质条件,对于顶板导水裂缝带部分波及含水层情况下工作面涌水量预测有借鉴意义。      

Functioning and precipitation-displacement modelling of rainfall-induced deep-seated landslides subject to creep deformation

We propose an approach to study the hydro-mechanical behaviour and evolution of rainfall-induced deep-seated landslides subjected to creep deformation by combining signal processing and modelling. The method is applied to the Séchilienne landslide in the French Alps, where precipitation and displacement have been monitored for 20 years. Wavelet analysis is first applied on precipitation and recharge as inputs and then on displacement time-series decomposed into trend and detrended signals as outputs. Results show that the detrended displacement is better linked to the recharge signal than to the total precipitation signal. The infra-annual detrended displacement is generated by high precipitation events, whereas annual and multi-annual variations are rather linked to recharge variations and thus to groundwater processes. This leads to conceptualise the system into a two-layer aquifer constituted of a perched aquifer (reactive aquifer responsible of high-frequency displacements) and a deep aquifer (inertial aquifer responsible of low-frequency displacements). In a second step, a new lumped model (GLIDE) coupling groundwater and a creep deformation model is applied to simulate displacement on three extensometer stations. The application of the GLIDE model gives good performance, validating most of the preliminary functioning hypotheses. Our results show that groundwater fluctuations can explain the displacement periodic variations as well as the long-term creep exponential trend. In the case of deep-seated landslides, this displacement trend is interpreted as the consequence of the weakening of the rock mechanical properties due to repeated actions of the groundwater pressure.     

Effect of discontinuities on strata-movement problems in collieries: a review

Summary The influence of discontinuities on coal measures is manifested in the form of roof and side falls, caving of the roof and sometimes in subsidence of the ground surface. This review paper is confined to roof falls due to major geological discontinuities (such as faults, joints, cleats and bedding planes) and to possible ways and means to prevent these falls. Faults with an increased frequency of joints and cleats around them, slips and slickensides play a major role in coal-mine-roof instability. Joints and cleats running parallel to roadways and thinly bedded strata in the immediate roof area also contribute to strata-instability problems. A roof-fall index has been developed relating roof instability to the presence of geological discontinuities. Significant control of such instabilities is possible by orienting roadways across the geological discontinuities and by increasing the quality and density of the supports.     

Longitudinal dispersion with time-dependent source concentration in semi-infinite aquifer

An analytical solution is obtained to predict the contaminant concentration along unsteady groundwater flow in semi-infinite aquifer. Initially, the aquifer is not supposed to be solute free, i.e., aquifer is not clean. A time-dependent source concentration is considered at the origin of the aquifer and at the other end of the aquifer, it is supposed to be zero. The time-dependent forms of unsteady velocities are considered in which one such form, i.e., sinusoidal form represents the seasonal pattern in a year in tropical regions. The Laplace Transformation Technique (LTT) is used to get an analytical solution and a graphical representation is made through MATLAB.     

Determination of the parameter pattern and values for a one-dimensional multi-zone unconfined aquifer

In an aquifer, heterogeneity plays an important role in governing groundwater flow. Hence, aquifer characterization should involve both the pattern and values of the hydrogeological parameters. A new analytical solution describing the one-dimensional groundwater flow in a multi-zone unconfined aquifer is presented, and a methodology developed from the analytical solution and a heuristic approach for determining the pattern and values of the aquifer parameters are proposed. The analytical solution demonstrates that the hydraulic head varies spatially and is influenced by aquifer heterogeneity. Simulated annealing, a heuristic approach, is incorporated with the solution to simultaneously identify the pattern and values of the hydraulic conductivity for a horizontal multi-zone unconfined aquifer. This approach may be used to give an approximate result for a two-dimensional problem by dividing the model area into a number of transects along the transverse direction, identifying the parameter values along the longitudinal direction for each transect, and then smoothing the identified results.     

基于FlAC（3D）模型的新集一矿岩溶水危险性研究

新集一矿1#煤层为矿区埋深最大的山西组煤层,太原组灰岩含水层是1#煤层开采时威胁最大的含水层。为合理评价1#煤层受太原组灰岩突水的威胁及煤层的可采性,按照煤层底板隔水层厚度、岩性组合及其力学性质,建立了FlAC3D模型。通过该数值模型对1#煤层进行模拟40m、80m、120m三次开挖,并用顶底板岩层的主应力差来反映其所处的变形阶段,分析了顶板来压前后底板的不同应力状态对突水危险性的影响,获得了开采1#煤层的顶板最大悬顶距、底板最大破坏深度等参数,认为开挖长度达到105m时,是最易突水位置,从而为后续详细勘探和工作面设计工作提供了参考。     

A simplified conceptual model for estimating roof bolting requirements

Summary The selection of rock bolting lengths and spacings for a mine roof or back is relatively straightforward when wedges of rock bound by discrete discontinuities require support, or when the immediate roof can be anchored into a recognizably stable layer or rock mass. When neither of these situations is present the choice of bolt lengths and spacings is more difficult.In this paper a simplified conceptual model is presented which invokes the concept of an ellipticallyshaped zone of loosening above the opening, all, or a portion of which, may require support. The analysis includes the influence of opening span, height,in situ stress state, and rock mass quality as measured by the CSIR Rock Mass Classification.Validation of the model was sought by analysing a number of case histories in the literature.     

Theis井流注水导致的含水层水平位移与应变

注水问题的含水层位移模型求解的难点在于边界条件的恰当处理。根据Theis定流量抽水与注水水流模型的反对称特性,假定注水位移模型的无限远通量边界与抽水位移模型的无限远通量边界也具有反对称性,从而得到Theis定流量注水的含水层位移模型解答,发现定流量注水与抽水的含水层骨架颗粒位移速度、累计位移量、径向应变及切向应变的解答均互为反号值。注水过程中含水层在径向有两种形变区,依次为膨胀区和挤压区。在膨胀区和挤压区的界限处,径向位移取得最大值。如果假定含水层顶底板不动,注水导致的地层相对位移足以产生水井或油井套管变形和折断破坏。注水时含水层在切向处于恒拉张状态,这可能导致井壁围岩产生径向放射状张裂缝。     

城市屋顶雨水回灌裂隙岩溶含水层的国内外案例介绍——兼对济南市屋顶雨水回灌裂隙岩溶含水层问题的思考

通过监测和分析济南市市区降水、屋面雨水水质和水量过程,屋顶雨水属微污染类水,经前期雨水弃流和预处理达到一定质量标准,通过管井回灌到裂隙岩溶含水层,可用于饮用水供水和保护地下水环境。已做的示踪试验表明,北方岩溶含水介质多属多重裂隙岩溶通道,因此在人工开采条件下,回灌应关注快、慢速流带来的不同水质变化问题,包括屋面雨水与裂隙岩溶介质的水岩作用。澳大利亚的案例说明,裂隙岩溶含水层对不同污染物有着不同的衰变效果。100多年来Mount Gambier市城区雨洪水经非承压石灰岩含水层径流一直排放到作为城市供水的蓝湖,到目前它对蓝湖水质没有表现出任何可量度的损害。但对于济南市的屋顶雨水回灌裂隙岩溶含水层,仍有许多问题需要研究。      

Detection of contaminant plumes released from landfills: numerical versus analytical solutions

Contaminant leaks released from landfills are a threat to groundwater quality. The groundwater monitoring systems installed in the vicinity of such facilities are vital. In this study the detection probability of a contaminant plume released from a landfill has been investigated by means of both a simulation and an analytical model for both homogeneous and heterogeneous aquifer conditions. Since the detection probability is a sensitive quantity, we first compare the two methods for homogeneous aquifer conditions to assess the errors that are encountered by performing simulations. The analysis shows that the simulation model yields the detection probabilities of a contaminant plume at a given monitoring well quite well in the homogeneous case. For heterogeneous aquifers we apply the approximated analytical model based on macro-dispersivities. Here we find that this model is insufficient in monitoring system design, since the obtained analytical values of the detection probabilities at a given monitoring well differ significantly from those computed by simulation.     

A generalized solution for groundwater head fluctuation in a tidal leaky aquifer system

A new analytical solution is developed for describing groundwater level fluctuations in a coupled leaky confined aquifer system which consists of an unconfined aquifer, confined aquifer, and an aquitard in between. The aquifer system has a tidal boundary at the seashore, a no flow boundary at remote inland side, and a confined aquifer extending under the sea and terminated with an outlet-capping. This new solution has shown to be a generalisation of most existing analytical solutions for a tidal aquifer system which includes single confined and leaky confined aquifers. In addition, the solution is used to explore the influences of the dimensionless leakance of the outlet-capping, the dimensionless hydraulic diffusivities, and the leakages of the inland and offshore aquitards on the head responses in the leaky confined aquifer.     

贵州岩溶地区输水渡槽的基础选型分析

贵州一输水渡槽跨越岩溶区域,可能会产生岩溶塌陷、向临空面失稳等工程地质问题。本文在地质钻探、物探和现场调查的基础上,通过基于地质力学的地质轮廓法进行裂隙配套,判断节理裂隙性质及其对岩溶的影响,结合深浅埋洞穴的界定初步判断其稳定性,并采用基于规范、标准的半定量稳定性分析及含节理裂隙的二维有限元分析、三维有限差分分析,从位移、应力分布及塑性区发展及破坏模式角度来判断溶洞在上部荷载作用下的稳定性。研究表明:本工程溶洞顶板的受力同深梁的受荷模式,节理裂隙很大程度上影响顶板的稳定性,顶板容易沿节理裂隙和层面产生剪切、拉伸作用。最后结合长期安全稳定运行综合给出基础选型建议。      

含水煤层水害形成机理及防治技术

在煤炭开采过程中,煤层常被视作隔水或弱透水地层。然而,孟加拉国巴拉普库利亚煤矿（简称孟巴煤矿）主采的Ⅵ号煤层平均厚度为33 m,富水性较强,开采过程中多次突水,表现出煤层成为含水层的特殊水文地质现象,与我国东北、西北侏罗纪煤田局部地区出现的煤层含水现象类似。综合分析了煤层空隙特征、储水结构及地下水补给条件这3项含水层形成的必备要素,揭示了孟巴煤矿特厚煤体含水层的形成机制。从煤体的微观结构、物理力学性质及区域构造发育特征着手,对煤体是否具有储存地下水的空间进行了研究;结合室内岩石渗透性测试及现场大型抽水试验,分析了煤层顶、底板岩层的透水/阻水特性,对煤层是否具备含水层的储水结构进行了研究;采用水力连通试验等手段,查明了特厚煤体含水的主要补给水源。研究表明,有机质的煤化作用和后期地层应力作用,使得煤体自身结构存在大量的含、导水裂隙,在具备较好的补给条件并满足含水层储水结构的情况下,煤体可成为含水地层。针对煤体含水层的水害特点,提出特厚含水煤层"疏"、"排"结合的水害防治技术,为煤体含水地区煤矿安全开采提供技术支撑。      

Estimating aquifer hydraulic properties using sinusoidal pumping at the Savannah River site,South Carolina,USA

A framework for estimating aquifer hydraulic properties using sinusoidal pumping is presented that (1) derives analytical solutions for confined, leaky, and partially penetrating conditions; (2) compares the analytical solutions with a finite element model; (3) establishes a field protocol for conducting sinusoidal aquifer tests; and (4) estimates aquifer parameters using the analytical solutions. The procedure is demonstrated in one surficial and two confined aquifers containing potentially contaminated water in coastal plain sediments at the Savannah River site, a federal nuclear facility. The analytical solutions compare favorably with finite-element solutions, except immediately adjacent to the pumping well where the assumption of zero borehole radius is not valid. Estimated aquifer properties are consistent with previous studies for the two confined aquifers, but are inconsistent for the surficial aquifer; conventional tests yielded estimates of the specific yield—consistent with an unconfined response—while the shorter-duration sinusoidal perturbations yielded estimates of the storativity—consistent with a confined, elastic response. The approach minimizes investigation-derived wastes, a significant concern where contaminated fluids must be disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner. An additional advantage is the ability to introduce a signal different from background perturbations, thus easing detection.     

The effects of geological heterogeneities and piezometric fluctuations on groundwater flow and chemistry in a hard-rock aquifer, southern India

Crystalline aquifers of semi-arid southern India represent a vital water resource for farming communities. A field study is described that characterizes the hydrodynamic functioning of intensively exploited crystalline aquifers at local scale based on detailed well monitoring during one hydrological year. The main results show large water-table fluctuations caused by monsoon recharge and pumping, high spatial variability in well discharges, and a decrease of well yields as the water table decreases. Groundwater chemistry is also spatially variable with the existence of aquifer compartments within which mixing occurs. The observed variability and compartmentalization is explained by geological heterogeneities which play a major role in controlling groundwater flow and connectivity in the aquifer. The position of the water table within the fracture network will determine the degree of connectivity between aquifer compartments and well discharge. The presented aquifer conceptual model suggests several consequences: (1) over-exploitation leads to a drop in well discharge, (2) intensive pumping may contribute to the hydraulic containment of contaminants, (3) groundwater quality is highly variable even at local scale, (4) geological discontinuities may be used to assist in the location of drinking-supply wells, (5) modeling should integrate threshold effects due to water-table fluctuations.