The identification and mitigation of adverse geologic conditions are critical to the safety and productivity of underground coal mining operations.To anticipate and mitigate adverse geologic conditions,a formal method...The identification and mitigation of adverse geologic conditions are critical to the safety and productivity of underground coal mining operations.To anticipate and mitigate adverse geologic conditions,a formal method to evaluate geotechnical factors must be established.Each mine is unique and has its own separate approach for defining what an adverse geological condition consists of.The collection of geologic data is a first critical step to creating a geological database to map these hazards efficiently and effectively.Many considerations must be taken into account,such as lithology of immediate roof and floor strata,seam height,gas and oil wells,faults,depressions in the mine floor(water)and increases in floor elevation(gas),overburden,streams and horizontal stress directions,amongst many other factors.Once geologic data is collected,it can be refined and integrated into a database that can be used to develop maps showing the trend,orientation,and extent of the adverse geological conditions.This information,delivered in a timely manner,allows mining personnel to be proactive in mine planning and support implementations,ultimately reducing the impacts of these features.This paper covers geologic exploratory methods,data organization,and the value of collecting and interpreting geologic information in coal mines to enhance safety and production.The implementation of the methods described above has been proven effective in predicting and mitigating adverse geologic conditions in underground coal mining.Consistent re-evaluation of data collection methods,geologic interpretations,mapping procedures,and communication techniques ensures continuous improvement in the accuracy of predictions and mitigation of adverse geologic conditions.Providing a concise record of the work previously done to track geologic conditions at a mine will allow for the smoothest transition during employee turnover and transitions.With refinements and standardization of data collection methods,such as those described in this paper,along with improvement in technology,the evaluation of adverse geologic conditions will evolve and continue to improve the safety and productivity of underground coal mining.展开更多
Estimating the overall floor stability in a coal mine using deterministic methods which require complex engineering properties of floor strata is desirable,but generally it is impractical due to the difficulty of gath...Estimating the overall floor stability in a coal mine using deterministic methods which require complex engineering properties of floor strata is desirable,but generally it is impractical due to the difficulty of gathering essential input data.However,applying a quantitative methodology to describe floor quality with a single number provides a practical estimate for preliminary assessment of floor stability.The coal mine floor rating(CMFR)system,developed by the University of New South Wales(UNSW),is a rockmass classification system that provides an indicator for the competence of floor strata.The most significant components of the CMFR are uniaxial compressive strength and discontinuity intensity of floor strata.In addition to the competence of the floor,depth of cover and stress notch angle are input parameters used to assess the preliminary floor stability.In this study,CMFR methodology was applied to a Central Appalachian Coal Mine that intermittently experienced floor heave.Exploratory drill core data,overburden maps,and mine plans were utilized for the study.Additionally,qualitative data(failure/non-failure)on floor conditions of the mine entries near the core holes was collected and analyzed so that the floor quality and its relation to entry stability could be estimated by statistical methods.It was found that the current CMFR classification system is not directly applicable in assessing the floor stability of the Central Appalachian Coal Mine.In order to extend the applicability of the CMFR classification system,the methodology was modified.A calculation procedure of one of the CMFR classification system’s components,the horizontal stress rating(HSR),was changed and new parameters were added to the HSR.展开更多
文摘The identification and mitigation of adverse geologic conditions are critical to the safety and productivity of underground coal mining operations.To anticipate and mitigate adverse geologic conditions,a formal method to evaluate geotechnical factors must be established.Each mine is unique and has its own separate approach for defining what an adverse geological condition consists of.The collection of geologic data is a first critical step to creating a geological database to map these hazards efficiently and effectively.Many considerations must be taken into account,such as lithology of immediate roof and floor strata,seam height,gas and oil wells,faults,depressions in the mine floor(water)and increases in floor elevation(gas),overburden,streams and horizontal stress directions,amongst many other factors.Once geologic data is collected,it can be refined and integrated into a database that can be used to develop maps showing the trend,orientation,and extent of the adverse geological conditions.This information,delivered in a timely manner,allows mining personnel to be proactive in mine planning and support implementations,ultimately reducing the impacts of these features.This paper covers geologic exploratory methods,data organization,and the value of collecting and interpreting geologic information in coal mines to enhance safety and production.The implementation of the methods described above has been proven effective in predicting and mitigating adverse geologic conditions in underground coal mining.Consistent re-evaluation of data collection methods,geologic interpretations,mapping procedures,and communication techniques ensures continuous improvement in the accuracy of predictions and mitigation of adverse geologic conditions.Providing a concise record of the work previously done to track geologic conditions at a mine will allow for the smoothest transition during employee turnover and transitions.With refinements and standardization of data collection methods,such as those described in this paper,along with improvement in technology,the evaluation of adverse geologic conditions will evolve and continue to improve the safety and productivity of underground coal mining.
基金The authors would like to thank Dr.Serkan Saydam and Dr.Sungsoon Mo from the University of New South Wales for their kind support and guidance during the preparation of this manuscript.
文摘Estimating the overall floor stability in a coal mine using deterministic methods which require complex engineering properties of floor strata is desirable,but generally it is impractical due to the difficulty of gathering essential input data.However,applying a quantitative methodology to describe floor quality with a single number provides a practical estimate for preliminary assessment of floor stability.The coal mine floor rating(CMFR)system,developed by the University of New South Wales(UNSW),is a rockmass classification system that provides an indicator for the competence of floor strata.The most significant components of the CMFR are uniaxial compressive strength and discontinuity intensity of floor strata.In addition to the competence of the floor,depth of cover and stress notch angle are input parameters used to assess the preliminary floor stability.In this study,CMFR methodology was applied to a Central Appalachian Coal Mine that intermittently experienced floor heave.Exploratory drill core data,overburden maps,and mine plans were utilized for the study.Additionally,qualitative data(failure/non-failure)on floor conditions of the mine entries near the core holes was collected and analyzed so that the floor quality and its relation to entry stability could be estimated by statistical methods.It was found that the current CMFR classification system is not directly applicable in assessing the floor stability of the Central Appalachian Coal Mine.In order to extend the applicability of the CMFR classification system,the methodology was modified.A calculation procedure of one of the CMFR classification system’s components,the horizontal stress rating(HSR),was changed and new parameters were added to the HSR.
