A New Blastability Index for Hard Roof Management in Blasting Gallery Method

The presence of hard and massive sandstone above the coal seam in underground coal mines often leads to delay in caving of overlying rock beds thereby causing excessive load on supports and posing danger to underground workings. The problem is more prominent in blasting gallery (BG) as well as longwall mining methods in Indian coal mines. Induced caving by blasting is a promising means for hard roof management in underground coal mines. Based on extensive studies and data collected from different mines in India, a Blastability Index (BI) has been developed which can be used for the classification of roof according to the degree of ease in caving by induced blasting. Different charge factors have also been suggested based on the Blastability Index. Due to wide change in the method of extractions, ??Cavability Index?? for longwall panel was found ineffective in case of BG method of working as well as bord and pillar working. For this reason, this proposed Blastability Index would be of immense help for caving of hard roof by induced blasting.     

Study of roof stability of the end of working face in upward longwall top coal

Low recovery of longwall top coal caving (LTCC) remains one of the most difficult engineering problems in this mining method and impedes its application. The top coal left in the gob at face end accounts for a large portion of the total coal loss, and the instability of the leftover triangle coal at face end has long been a threat to the safety of miners and the mining equipment. In this paper, based on the engineering background of Ruilong mine, we explore the stability of the roof at the end of the face by using theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and field measurement. Results reveal that in the inclined longwall top coal caving face, the immediate roof forms an “arch” structure, and the basic roof forms a “masonry beam” structure after the roof collapses; working resistance of the support calculated by the method of ultimate bearing capacity was adequate to meet the requirement of roof load; roof load of coal pillar was related to the length of key block and fracture position; and increasing the size of coal pillar could ensure the stability of both coal pillar and roof.     

Assessment of Chock Capacity and Strata Caving for a Longwall Mine

A mine scale numerical analysis of modern day longwall using a 3D Cosserat continuum method has been presented. The effect of mine specific geological conditions on viability of introducing a modern day longwall is comprehensively investigated and analysed in this paper. The various longwall parameters like chock (face support) convergence and strata caving mechanism are evaluated. The varying thickness of the sandstone present in the roof can be seen to have a strong impact on the magnitude and pattern of chock convergence. The paper also discusses the performance of chocks with different capacities under identical conditions. The effect of overlaying sandstone properties and width of the longwall panels have also been investigated. The analyses carried out in this study is expected to provide valuable process guidance during the mine design in relation to selecting the optimal mine geometry and support capacity so that the potential mining hazards could be minimized.     

Evaluation of coal longwall caving characteristics using an innovative UDEC Trigon approach

The paper presents an innovative numerical approach to simulate progressive caving of strata above a longwall coal mining panel. A proposed Trigon logic is incorporated within UDEC to successfully capture the progressive caving of strata which is characterized by fracture generation and subsequent propagation. A new damage index, D, is proposed that can quantify regions of both compressive shear and tensile failure within the modelled longwall. Many features of progressive caving are reproduced in the model and found to fit reasonably well with field observations taken from a case study in the Ruhr coalfield. The modelling study reveals that compressive shear failure, rather than tensile failure, is the dominant failure mechanism in the caved strata above the mined-out area. The immediate roof beds act like beams and can collapse in beam bending when vertical stress is dominant or in beam shear fracture when horizontal stress is dominant. The proposed numerical approach can be used to guide the design of longwall panel layout and rock support mechanisms.     

Real Time Analysis and Forecasting of Strata Caving Behaviour during Longwall Operations

Summary. Discontinuous manual observations and irregular caving characteristics of roof rocks often lead to improper decisions resulting in accidents and production loss. Hence, systematic monitoring of the hanging roof behind the chock shields is necessary for safe and productive mining operations. A real-time application was successfully implemented in an Indian mine for forecasting of hanging roof behaviour to enhance safety and productivity. This paper reports the functioning of real-time TWAP (time weighted average pressure) analysis in the forecasting of hanging roof behaviour in real time.     

Calculation of periodic roof weighting interval in longwall mining using finite element method

The state of periodic loading and the interval of periodic roof weighting have an important role in geomechanical stability and, hence, in the continuity of longwall mining operations. In this paper, the mechanism of roof caving in longwall mining—together with the effect of engineering and geomechanical properties of surrounding rock masses on the magnitude and timing of periodic loading—is studied. For this purpose, a longwall mine is first modeled using Phase2 software, and then, by simulating the roof caving process, the periodic roof weighting intervals is calculated. Based on the numerical modeling, the first roof weighting interval and the periodic roof weighting interval are calculated as 27.2 and 12.1 m, respectively. Sensitivity analysis is then applied to determine the effect of changes in the mechanical properties of the rock mass, especially in the main roof and immediate roof. The results of the analysis show that as GSI and quality of the immediate roof increases, the periodic roof weighting interval also increases. Hence, the applied algorithm in this research study can effectively be utilized to calculate the periodic roof weighting interval in the longwall mining method.     

综放工作面采出量单位统计产量法

针 对综 放 工 作 面采 出 量 用 水分 、灰 分和 含 矸 改 正 后 的 统 计 产 量 代 替 的 诸 多 不 合 理 性 ,利 用 相 同 煤 层 或 煤 层结 构、煤层 顶 底板 条件 相 似的 走向 长 壁、倾 向 分层 开采 的 工作 面采 出 量和 统计 产 量的 历史 资 料来 建立 数 学 关系 ,进 而采 用单 位 统计 产量 法 来计 算综 放 工作 面采 出 量,为综 放工 作 面采 出量 计 算提 供了 一 条新 方法 及 新思 路。     

构造带综放工作面支架异常压力机理探讨

针对多个综放采场出现的支架立柱压爆、油缸变形等异常矿压显现,通过对综放采场上覆岩层的运动范围及运动特点、顶板结构动态稳定性的分析,探讨了综放工作面异常压力产生的机理。得出了顶板结构局部铰接失稳（滑落失稳）是造成异常压力主要原因的结论。由于滑落失稳的原因不同,可分为水浸蚀型、地质构造型和顶板失稳型。通过对综放采场支架作用力的分析,给出了计算异常压力的公式。利用顶板结构动态稳定性判断准则,可对异常压力的类型进行判别,从而进一步确定异常压力的计算方法,为采场支架选型和现场控制异常压力提供理论依据。     

Investigation into the Behaviour of a Support System and Roof Strata During Sublevel Caving of a Thick Coal Seam

Monitoring of strata control parameters and behaviour of a powered support was carried out during an experimental trial of a mechanized longwall sublevel caving face for exploitation of a 7.5m thick coal seam. Field observations indicated that the requirement of support density for underwinning of top coal by sublevel caving under intact strata is different from that for underwinning under broken and fractured rock mass. Analysis of the leg closure observations and support resistance variations during different mining cycles showed rapid increase of the setting load density of the support in relation to the yield load density. This resulted in a large amount of leg closure during mining cycles of the sub level caving face under broken rock strata. Due to operational constraints, the field observations could not provide enough information to visualize the behaviour of the overlying rock strata. Simulation of the field conditions was therefore performed on a physical model to bridge this gap of information. Results of laboratory investigations on the physical model are combined with those of the field to explain the critical behaviour of the support system during sublevel caving under broken rock strata.     

Applications of Numerical Modelling for Strata Control in Mines

A proper understanding of complex behaviour of rock mass has always been difficult for reliable design and safe operation of mining structures. Numerical modelling has emerged as a popular tool solving the static as well as the dynamic processes assisting in proper design and operation of the structures. This paper introduces the basics of different numerical modelling approaches and underlines their strength and limitations. Various applications of numerical modelling techniques for strata management in mines are discussed. Practical examples of a few of the issues like pillar design, soft floor behaviour, shotcrete support design, and prediction of caving behaviour and support selection for longwall workings etc., as studied by the authors, are also illustrated.     

Use of rock classification to estimate roof caving span in oblong workings

Summary Indian coal measures have widely varying caving characteristics. The maximum roof span of a longwall or depillaring panel at the time of nether roof collapse is shown to have a direct relation withRQD from a study of 12 case histories. A similar relation between maximum unsupported span of openings and rock mass quality as defined by theQ-system was also demonstrated. A simple nomogram is presented to predict the face advance required to cause roof collapse when theRQD or rock mass quality is known.     

聚类分级和BP神经网络在自然崩落法矿岩可崩性分级中的应用

以矿岩RQD、RMQ和RMR值为基础进行矿岩可崩性聚类综合分级,解决了同一地质测段分级结果的不一致性,明确了可崩性级别;利用样本中易测评判指标建立矿岩可崩性BP神经网络分析模型进行矿岩可崩性分级,解决了用钻孔资料进行矿岩可崩性分级精度不高的问题。程潮铁矿自然崩落法试验区段的矿岩可崩性分级表明矿岩可崩性属于极易一中等崩落,与生产实际相符,在生产中可应用该方法进行矿岩可崩性分级工作。     

工作面长度对覆岩空间结构演化及大采高采场矿压规律的影响

工作面长度的增加是导致采场矿压强度增加的原因之一。通过相似模拟试验证明了覆岩能破断成梯形台形态,并指出了梯形台形成机制及梯形台的参数计算原理。利用梯形台分析了工作面长度对覆岩破断规律的影响,指出了梯形台与关键层理论的关系。基于薄板理论推导了岩层破断步距的计算公式,分析了工作面长度对梯形台空间结构演化及采场矿压显现特征的影响。结果表明：由于覆岩按梯形台破断,工作面长度较短时,加载层厚度较小,来压强度小。对比研究了赵庄2号井1305大采高工作面（工作面长度为85 m）和1302大采高工作面（工作面长度为180 m）矿压特征。结果表明：1305工作面基于梯形台和薄板理论进行选型计算,支架计算工作阻力为4 738 kN,现场选用额定阻力5 500 kN能够满足顶板控制的要求;1302工作面基于梁理论进行选型计算,支架计算工作阻力为7 623 kN,现场需选用额定阻力7 800 kN才能满足顶板控制的要求。     

Support capacity and roof behaviour at longwall faces with shield supports

Summary Field investigations on seven U.S. longwall coal faces were carried out to examine the behaviour and interaction of roof, floor and support on longwall faces equipped with hydraulic powered supports. The most important factor in determining face stability was found to be periodic weighting and an empirical design equation was developed for support capacity. The interaction of various elements in the face system is examined and discussed.     

Geotechnical consequences of the Newcastle Coal Measures rocks

This paper attempts to relate the lithology and fabric of four main groups of Newcastle Coal Measures rock types to their geotechnical properties and engineering behaviour. The four groups comprise: massive sandstone and conglomerate; claystones and tuffs; mudstone, shale and siltstone; and the coal itself. Although their geological relevance is primarily concerned with underground coal mining, these rocks are exposed at the surface across most of Newcastle and its suburbs, and are thus significant in terms of urban environmental geology. The key mining issues include longwall support design and panel layouts, caving and subsidence mechanisms, soft floors and stiff roofs, water inflows and pillar design. The urban geotechnical issues include landslides and rock falls, shallow abandoned mine workings, reactive and erodible soils, waste disposal and potential sources for geomaterials.     

急斜特厚煤层开采地表沉陷特征立体实验研究

借助急斜煤层大型立体模拟试验架,对急斜煤层水平分段放顶煤开采地表变形破坏特征进行了开采的立体模拟试验研究。研究发现,急斜煤层开采后形成的沉陷不同于缓斜煤层,其沉陷最初由在地表生成的孔洞发展为孔洞间的贯通,形成塌陷坑。塌陷坑靠顶板侧岩体的垮落程度明显大于靠底板侧岩体的垮落程度,而且沉陷随着分段工作面的向下延伸表现为反复多次沉陷,塌陷坑内垮落体表现为由底板侧朝顶板侧的台阶式下降分布,最终形成深槽型塌陷坑。     

A Geometric Computational Model for Calculation of Longwall Face Effect on Gate Roadways

In this paper a geometric computational model (GCM) has been developed for calculating the effect of longwall face on the extension of excavation-damaged zone (EDZ) above the gate roadways (main and tail gates), considering the advance longwall mining method. In this model, the stability of gate roadways are investigated based on loading effects due to EDZ and caving zone (CZ) above the longwall face, which can extend the EDZ size. The structure of GCM depends on four important factors: (1) geomechanical properties of hanging wall, (2) dip and thickness of coal seam, (3) CZ characteristics, and (4) pillar width. The investigations demonstrated that the extension of EDZ is a function of pillar width. Considering the effect of pillar width, new mathematical relationships were presented to calculate the face influence coefficient and characteristics of extended EDZ. Furthermore, taking GCM into account, a computational algorithm for stability analysis of gate roadways was suggested. Validation was carried out through instrumentation and monitoring results of a longwall face at Parvade-2 coal mine in Tabas, Iran, demonstrating good agreement between the new model and measured results. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was carried out on the effect of pillar width, bearing capacity of support system and coal seam dip.     

Discontinuous Modelling of Stratum Cave-in in a Longwall Coal Mine in the Arctic Area

This paper presents a discontinuous numerical approach for studying roof cave-in mechanisms and obtaining the required support capacity of longwall shields in a case study site, the Svea Nord coal mine in Svalbard. The block size in the roof strata and the mechanical parameters of the discontinuities for the numerical model were obtained through back-calculations. The back-calculations were conducted with a statistical method of design of experiment. Numerical simulations revealed that voussoir jointed beams are formed before the first cave-in occurs. The maximum deflection of a roof stratum in the study site prior to the first cave-in is about 70 % of the stratum thickness. The maximum span of the roof strata prior to the first cave-in depends upon the in situ horizontal stress state. The roof beams have a large stable span when they are subjected to high horizontal stress; but horizontal stress would increase the possibility of rock crushing in deflected roof beams. The simulations and field measurements show no periodic weighting on the longwall shields in the study site. Stiff and strong roof beams would result in large first and periodic cave-in distances. As a consequence of having large cave-in distances, the longwall shields must have high load capacity, which can be calculated by the presented numerical approach.     

长壁孤岛工作面冲击失稳能量场演化规律

煤矿冲击地压一直是困扰中国煤矿安全的主要问题,而煤矿开采过程中跳采形成的孤岛工作面由于容易产生应力集中,来压强度提高,极容易发生冲击地压。基于唐山矿T2193下孤岛工作面的地质条件,从数值分析的角度研究了煤岩体材料的非均匀性,揭示了孤岛工作面顶板周期来压时煤岩体能量释放的动态特征,分析了工作面前方能量释放激增机制。数值模拟结果显示,长壁工作面回采过程中直接顶的不断垮落造成了老顶悬空距离的不断增大,工作面周期来压时,积聚于老顶岩层内的弹性应变能将瞬间释放,容易引发工作面及巷道的冲击失稳。孤岛工作面由于其特有的矿压显现特征,老顶周期破断时所释放的弹性应变能将更加剧烈,冲击地压势必愈加强烈。孤岛工作面顶底板和煤层的能量释放激增可以作为判断煤岩体冲击失稳的前兆信息。孤岛工作面前方发生冲击破坏的主要原因是由于工作面回采过程中围岩所积聚的大量弹性能在顶板断裂时所伴随的巨大能量释放而造成的。     

Hydraulic fracturing stress transfer methods to control the strong strata behaviours in gob-side gateroads of longwall mines

With hard roof conditions and the influence of side and front abutment pressures, pressure bump and large deformations periodically occur in the advanced support area of longwall face gob-side gateroads. To control the strong strata behaviours in gob-side gateroads, “directional hydraulic fracturing, to cut off the roof hanging over the adjacent gob area, and pre-fracturing of the roof, located behind the working face being extracted,” are performed. The directional initiation of hydraulic fracturing is controlled by pre-slotting, and this action guides the propagation of hydraulic fractures in three-dimensional space. The oriented fractures meet engineering requirements by cooperating with both the in situ ground stresses and the mining-induced stresses, as well as the technology of hydraulic fracturing. In field applications, hydraulic fracturing has proven to be a viable option for weakening hard roofs, destressing the side and front abutment pressures at the mining face and also transferring in situ and mining-induced stresses. Successful field tests in the Tongxin coal mine, Datong district, as well as other coal mines, show that hydraulic fracturing in both a hanging roof over an adjacent gob area and in the gob area behind the advancing working face controls the behaviour of strong strata material on the gob-side of gateroads in longwall mining and also guarantees safe extraction at the working face.