The uniaxial compressive strength of coal: Should it be used to design pillars?
- Department of Energy, Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
The Bureau of Mines has recently completed a comprehensive study of coal strength. More than 4000 individual test results from over 60 scams were extracted from the literature and combined in the most complete data base of the uniaxial compressive strength of coal ever assembled. In addition, more than 100 case studies of in-mine pillar performance were available in the Analysis of Retreat Mining Pillar Stability (ARMPS) data base. Statistical analysis of this wealth of data has yielded valuable results. The data shows clearly that the {open_quotes}size effect{close_quotes} is related to coal structure. The widely-used Gaddy formula, which predicts a significant strength reduction as the specimen size is increased, was found to apply only to {open_quotes}blocky{close_quotes} coals. For friable coals, the size effect was much less pronounced or even non-existent. Case histories of failed pillars are the best available data on in situ coal strength. This study found no correlation between the ARMPS stability factor of failed pillars and coal specimen strength. Pillar design was much more reliable when a uniform coal strength was used in all case histories.
- OSTI ID:
- 405565
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9608121--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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