Assessing the influence of geology on multiple-seam reserves using a boundary element model

Conference · Thu Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States)

OSTI ID:5897982

Chekan, G J; Listak, J M ^[1]

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1. Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, PA (United States)

In the Eastern Coal Region, over 70 billion tons of minable reserves lie in a multiple seam configuration. Case study analysis has shown that the geology of the multiple-seam environment can adversely affect the stability of the workings. Overburden and interburden thickness and physical characteristics are the major geologic parameters influencing stress transfer and the potential for interactions between operations. Overburden is a major controlling factor because stress increases proportionally with depth. Interburdens composed of thick, monolithic strata have a high modulus of elasticity, such as sandstone, tend to dampen interactions, whereas interburdens composed of softer, lower modulus stratus, such as shale, tend to increase interactive effects. The layering or number of inner beds composing the interburden strata can also influence the potential for interaction because it serves to transfer stress to deeper horizons. To further study the influence of geology in multiple-seam interactions, the Bureau of Mines combined case study information with a computer-aided design program called MULSIM/NL/ MULSIM/NL is a boundary element method program, developed by the Bureau, for calculating stresses and displacements in tabular deposits. Analysis was performed on different room-and-pillar mining scenarios that are frequently encountered when developing multiple seams. Mine design parameters were kept constant while depth, interburden thickness, and interburden physical properties were varied to represent different geological influences. Geologic trends and relationships developed from case studies in the Eastern Coal Region were used to evaluate and verify model results.

• OSTI ID: 5897982
• Report Number(s): CONF-9109238--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States) Journal Volume: 75:8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012031* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Underground Mining-- Strata Mechanics & Control-- (1987-)
APPALACHIAN BASIN
COAL MINES
COAL MINING
COAL RESERVES
COMPUTER CALCULATIONS
COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN
DESIGN
GEOLOGIC MODELS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
INTERACTIONS
MINES
MINING
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
RESERVES
RESOURCES
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
STRATA CONTROL
STRATA MOVEMENT
STRESS ANALYSIS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
UNDERGROUND MINING
US BUREAU OF MINES
US DOI
US ORGANIZATIONS