Subsidence prediction in shallow room and pillar mines

Summary A mathematical model has been developed utilizing the relative flexural strength of the strata overlying a coal seam to predict the vulnerability of shallow room and pillar mined areas to subsidence. The model assumes the failure of the immediate roof as the precursor of a subsidence event in shallow room and pillar mines. After the roof fails, either a sink hole subsidence event develops if the unconsolidated material is thin and dry; or a subsidence trough forms if the unconsolidated material is thick and wet. The model relates the Missavage number (Mn), which is dependent only on the stratigraphy and rock strength, to the extraction number, which is dependent only on the extraction ratio and maximum span of the opening. A high correlation coefficient (r=0.78) betweenMn and the extraction number for 27 subsidence events in a southern Illinois mine showed potential for using this model to delineate areas more vulnerable to subsidence. The developed and validated model was then subjected to a blind test on a 12.9 square kilometer area of an Illinois Coal Basin mine. The model successfully predicted 10 out of 12 subsidence events in the blind half of the study area and two of three additional subsidence events in the known half of the study area.     

Behaviour of abandoned room and pillar mines in Illinois

Summary Little comprehensive information has been reported on the behaviour of room-and-pillar mines. The objective of this paper is to present case data on mine failures in the Illinois basin for use in practice. Presented are results of an ongoing study and details on the site characteristics of cases where sags have developed on the surface. Site data are reported to show the geologic, mining, and sag conditions that existed. Sags mainly develop from pillar, floor, or pillar-floor failure. The character of the sags depends upon the type of mine failure as well as the overburden response.Preliminary results show that the statistical no-risk tributary pressure decreases over 300% as the mine age increases from about 2 to 100 years at a long-term value of approximately 300 psi (2070 kPa). As more information is collected and more analysis is done, the allowable tributary pressure can be determined for different site conditions.A plot is also reported that depicts the relationship of the maximum subsidence to site conditions. It was found that the modified subsidence factor was heavily dependent upon the overburden rock thickness.     

复用回采巷道护巷煤柱合理宽度研究

为解决高瓦斯工作面双U型巷道布置中煤柱损失大、相邻工作面复用回采巷道维护困难的难题,综合采用理论分析、数值计算和现场试验的方法,研究得到煤柱宽度对相邻两工作面之间煤柱内复用巷道围岩应力分布和变形特征的影响规律：随着巷道一侧煤柱宽度的增加,巷道围岩垂直应力峰值向一侧移动,并逐渐远离巷道;当巷道一侧煤柱较小时,巷道以窄煤柱帮变形和顶板下沉为主,随着煤柱宽度增加,底鼓增大并成为巷道主要变形。以煤柱内应力峰值比值为指标,分析煤柱宽度与巷道稳定性的关系,并将不同宽度煤柱进行了稳定性分区。研究成果成功应用于工程实践,为类似条件下巷道布置提供依据。     

Analysis of rock structure stability in coal mines

In this paper, the theory of limit point instability is used to analyse the stability of rock structures in coal mines. A general method of analysing stability of rock structures is put forward and a uniform instability condition of rock structures is set up. Some instability phenomena, such as rock bursts in circular roadways, pillars and long walls, and the outburst of coal and gas from circular roadways, are discussed analytically. At a later stage, the critical point of rock structure instability is determined. The influence of relative parameters (such as the mechanical properties of rock, coal, and the geometric sizes) on the stability of the rock structures is carefully analysed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

高速公路压煤区安全煤柱留设及其对路基稳定性的影响

开采地下矿产(煤炭)资源和保护地面或地下结构物是既矛盾又统一的两个方面。在结构物下方留设保护煤柱是保护结构物免受地下开采影响的一种比较可靠的方法。但其缺点是要放弃部分矿产资源的开采。本文结合某高速公路压煤情况,围绕解决这一问题进行了研究。根据压煤区地质条件和相关规程,分析确定了走向移动角的大小、煤层留设宽度和禁采深度。通过不同走向移动角对路基稳定性影响的弹塑性有限元数值模拟,进一步分析了走向移动角对路基变形和稳定性以及路基压煤量的影响程度。在走向移动角δ=55°、60°和65°时,按数值模拟方案[1]～[6]步依次开采完成后,路基表面结点下沉最大位移为12 72～29 45mm,第[1]步和第[6]步路基不均匀沉降最大位移为7 33～8 19mm;在δ=70°时,路基表面结点下沉最大位移为44 00mm,第[1]步和第[6]步路基不均匀沉降最大位移达27 08mm。在55°≤δ≤70°范围内,煤层开采临空单元岩体最大剪应力皆小于煤层顶、底板泥岩夹页岩的抗压强度,其屈服接近度也大多小于1 0。据此提出了该区安全极限走向移动角取值(δ=65°),从δ=60°到δ=65°,可减少压煤量27 47万t,相对减少15 16%。为解决高速公路压煤问题提供了科学依据。     

Prediction of surface crown pillar stability using artificial neural networks

A relatively novel technique, artificial neural networks (ANN), is used in predicting the stability of crown pillars left over large excavations. Data for the training and verification of the networks were obtained from the literature. Four artificial networks, based on two different architectures, were used. The networks used different numbers of input parameters to predict the stability or failure of crown pillars. Multi‐layer perceptron networks using mine type, dip of orebody, overburden thickness, pillar thickness, pillar length, stope height, backfill height, Rock Mass Rating (RMR) of the host rock and RMR of the orebody showed excellent performance in training and verification. Adding three more variables, namely pillar width, rock density and pillar thickness to width ratio, showed symptoms of over‐learning without degrading performance significantly. Radial basis function networks were capable of predicting crown pillar behaviour on the basis of few input functions. It was shown that mine type, dip and pillar thickness to width ratio can be used for a preliminary estimation of stability. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于室内试验的条带煤柱稳定性研究

对建新矿13煤进行了室内力学性质研究,研究了煤岩的尺寸效应,得到了建新矿13煤煤岩体单轴抗压强度为 6.928 MPa;进行三轴压缩试验确定该层煤符合摩尔-库仑弹塑性力学模型。以试验研究结果为基础,结合建新矿的实际情况,在选定采出条带宽度25 m时,应用FLAC3D对条带开采进行煤柱应力和地表最大下沉分析,并研究煤柱稳定性。结果表明选择20 m宽度的煤柱时,可以保持煤柱稳定性。基于室内煤岩试验研究的结果,采用数值模拟的方法,通过多方案条带开采研究煤柱安全性,在减小煤柱尺寸的同时,确保煤柱安全稳定,避免仅仅使用经验公式计算带来的盲目性。     

Prediction of extractable metals in retention pond sediments at surface coal mines

Fifty-two grab samples of bottom sediment in settling ponds were obtained at 17 surface coal mines in the eastern and midwestern U.S. A series of laboratory extraction procedures were designed to simulate a wide range of possible natural conditions. The three types of laboratory extraction procedures were (1) a low-pH buffered extract; (2) a series of low-pH, near-neutral-pH, and high-pH nonbuffered extracts; and (3) a DTPA extract. For the transition metals examined (Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Al), higher percentages were extracted by the low-pH buffered extract than by the low-pH nonbuffered extract and the DTPA extract. Within the nonbuffered series, higher percentages of individual metals were extracted at lower pH levels. There was generally a consistent order of “extractability” for all the extracts performed. At the mines using a chemical treatment to neutralize acid mine drainage, Mn was the most mobile and Fe and Al the least mobile of the metals considered; at the mines not using a chemical treatment, Ni, Zn, and Co were among the most mobile and Fe, Al, and Cr the least mobile of the metals studied. Two stepwise regression procedures (maximum R² improvement and backward elimination) were used to suggest a ranking of independent variables that influence extractable metals. Statistically significant independent variables differed for the various metals. In general, the total amount of metal present was most important in determining metal extractability in the buffered extract at the mines using chemical treatment, and variables related to the natural acidity or alkalinity of the sediment and element interrelationships were important in the other extracts. A detailed examination of regression equations for the buffered extract suggests that it is possible to predict extractable metals using simple regression models based on the total amount of metals present, metals interrelationships, and sediment acidity or alkalinity.     

基于巨厚岩层-煤柱协同变形的煤柱稳定性

采前煤柱稳定性研究是工作面冲击危险性评估和开采方案设计的关键。以山东某矿深井巨厚砾岩条件工作面开采遗留煤柱为背景,采用案例调研、理论分析、数值模拟和工程实践等方法,对巨厚岩层-煤柱协同变形机制及其煤柱稳定性进行了研究,建立了巨厚岩层-煤柱协同变形的简化力学模型,探讨了引起煤柱变形的主要应力来源和变形形式,推导了在协同变形条件下煤柱的应力-应变关系。以此为基础,综合煤柱煤体应力、围岩稳定性和变形特征等条件,提出了煤柱整体失稳的力学判据。研究结果表明：巨厚岩层-煤柱失稳诱发冲击与煤柱的位置、尺寸和上覆岩层运动或变形关系密切,上覆岩层运动或变形是诱发煤柱失稳的动力因素;巨厚岩层-煤柱的变形主要包括受集中力F压迫的协同挠曲压缩变形和受集中力G作用的重力沉降变形,二者保持内在协调性;巨厚岩层下煤柱整体失稳的工程判据为煤柱煤体平均支承应力p超过其平均极限支承强度Rc（p≥Rc）;评估得到遗留的50 m煤柱具有强冲击危险性,并通过优化开采设计,取得了良好的效果。该研究成果对相似条件煤柱留设及其稳定性分析具有参考意义。     

Mine subsidence damage from room and pillar mining in Illinois

Summary Data is presented on case histories of subsidence damage occurring over abandoned room and pillar mines in Illinois. The major modes of behaviour and damage in houses from sag-subsidence are described and summarized. The houses rested on crawl-space and basement foundations built from concrete and masonry. The prevalent mode of failure of bearing walls was inward bending. Failure is analysed and conventional design procedures are used to evaluate foundation failure.     

Floor design in underground coal mines

Summary Floor failure and excessive heave in underground coal mines can jeopardize the stability of the whole structure, including the roof and pillars, due to differential settlements and redistribution of stress concentrations. Besides, floor failure is detrimental to haulageway operation and can lead to unacceptable conditions of high deformation. Thus, the design of any underground opening must consider roof/pillar and floor as one structural system.This paper presents guidelines for the design of mine floors, including the necessary field and laboratory investigations and the determination of the bearing capacity of floor strata. The design methodology is based essentially on a modified Hoek-Brown rock mass strength criterion. The main modifications are the introduction of the concept of the point of critical energy release to account for the long term strength, the inclusion of tensile strength and the adoption of a lithostatic state of stress in the rock mass. The determination of the dimensionless parametersm ands result from correlations with the RMR (rock mass rating) of the Geomechanics Clasification. Nine case histories, both in longwall and room and pillar coal mining, were analyzed with the proposed methodology.     

Prediction of groundwater inrush into coal mines from aquifers underlying the coal seams in China: vulnerability index method and its construction

Groundwater inrushes often occur in the coal mines of China. One of the water sources is the aquifers underlying the coal seams. Because such a water hazard is affected by many factors, data collected from various sources need to be evaluated to predict its occurrence. This paper introduces an innovative approach in which the water inrush risk is represented by the vulnerability index. This method combines the geographic information system and the artificial neural network. The artificial neural network is used to estimate the weight of each factor. Unlike the traditional prediction method in which two controlling factors are often evaluated without regard to their relative importance, this new approach incorporates multi-factors and describes the non-linear dynamical processes.     

Probabilistic analysis of underground pillar stability

The majority of geotechnical analyses are deterministic, in that the inherent variability of the materials is not modelled directly, rather some ‘factor of safety’ is applied to results computed using ‘average’ properties. In the present study, the influence of spatially varying strength is assessed via numerical experiments involving the compressive strength and stability of pillars typically used in underground construction and mining operations. The model combines random field theory with an elasto‐plastic finite element algorithm in a Monte‐Carlo framework. It is found that the average strength of the rock is not a good indicator of the overall strength of the pillar. The results of this study enable traditional approaches involving factors of safety to be re‐interpreted as a ‘probability of failure’ in the context of reliability based design. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

煤油气共生矿井围岩气多因素耦合区域预测技术——以鄂尔多斯盆地黄陵矿区为例

围岩气异常涌出已成为严重威胁煤油气共生矿井安全高效开采的新的隐蔽致灾因素。以煤油气共生矿井围岩气储集层分布为基础,结合对围岩气控气要素的分析,提出了基于地质构造、岩性（砂岩透镜体和砂体上倾尖灭）、围岩气储集层分布和煤炭开采采动影响等多因素耦合下的煤油气共生矿井围岩气区域综合预测技术。采用该技术对黄陵二号煤矿2号煤层围岩气分布进行了区域综合预测,将矿井围岩气区划为Ⅰ级、Ⅱ级和Ⅲ级,并指出了矿井围岩气重点防范区域,减少围岩气防御面积近30%。     

狭窄煤柱冲击地压的折迭突变模型

对简化的狭窄煤柱岩爆分析模型,通过功、能增量平衡关系的途径,导出狭窄煤柱岩爆的突变模式属折迭突变模型。该突变模型的平衡方程和平衡路径所展示的全部性态, 可对煤柱以岩爆形式破坏和渐进形式破坏过程中,包括系统稳定性在内的所有行为,作一一相对应的描述。并首次给出的岩梁弹性能变化（释放）率曲线包含了丰富的信息量,对理解岩梁-煤柱系统在各阶段的行为规律有着重要的作用。所给出的能量输入率 ,是系统失稳临界条件的提法和表达式中蕴涵了Cook刚度判据,故看作是Cook判据能量形式的动态推广。利用能量输入率可将极限状态下岩煤系统稳定性的定性认识提高到用定量形式描述,为岩煤系统稳定性的表述赋予新的形式。     

Control of gas emissions in underground coal mines

A high level of knowledge is now available in the extremely relevant field of underground gas emissions from coal mines. However, there are still tasks seeking improved solutions, such as prediction of gas emissions, choice of the most suitable panel design, extension of predrainage systems, further optimization of postdrainage systems, options for the control of gas emissions during retreat mining operations, and prevention of gas outbursts. Research results on these most important topics are presented and critically evaluated. Methods to predict gas emissions for disturbed and undisturbed longwall faces are presented. Prediction of the worked seam gas emission and the gas emission from headings are also mentioned but not examined in detail. The ventilation requirements are derived from the prediction results and in combination with gas drainage the best distribution of available air currents is planned. The drainage of the gas from the worked coal seam, also referred to as predrainage, can be performed without application of suction only by over or underworking the seam. But in cases where this simple method is not applicable or not effective enough, inseam-boreholes are needed to which suction is applied for a relatively long time. The reason for this is the low permeability of deep coal seams in Europe. The main influences on the efficiency of the different degasing methods are explained. Conventional gas drainage employing cross measure boreholes is still capable of improvement, in terms of drilling and equipment as well as the geometrical borehole parameters and the operation of the overall system. Improved control of gas emissions at the return end of retreating faces can be achieved by installation of gas drainage systems based on drainage roadways or with long and large diameter boreholes. The back-return method can be operated safely only with great difficulty, if at all. Another method is lean-gas drainage from the goaf. The gas outburst situation in Germany is characterized by events predominantly in the form of ‘nonclassical' outbursts categorized as ‘sudden liberation of significant quantities of gas'. Recent research results in this field led to a classification of these phenomena into five categories, for which suitable early detection and prevention measures are mentioned.     

Deformation and stability of an elasto-plastic softening pillar

Summary A model of rock pillar or coal seam is considered assuming linear elastic behaviour before reaching the maximum strength and post-peak behaviour characterized by the residual strength. The deformation and stress across the pillar height are assumed to be uniform and the interaction with overlying rock strata is treated assuming beam model of the strata. The elasto-plastic stress distribution within pillar and the onset of instability occurring for the critical opening span are determined. Comparison with a solution for a simplified spring model of pillar is also presented.