Causes and mechanisms of massive pillar failure in a southern West Virginia coal mine

Conference · Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983 · Prepr., Soc. Min. Eng. AIME; (United States)

OSTI ID:6177792

Khair, A W; Peng, S S

This paper deals with the causes and mechanisms of pillar failure in a southern West Virginia coal mine. The conclusions are based on in-mine observations and analysis of mining methods, eyewitness account of the sequence of events, topographic and geologic conditions, and mechanical properties of mine roof, coal, and floor. The study indicated that massive pillar failure was caused by the collapse of the mine roof. The collapse of the mine roof was due to the combined effects of high lateral compressive stress and high extraction ratio causing excessive bending of the roof beyond its limit. It was assumed that the higher lateral compressive stress under such a shallow cover was probably due to the drastic change in the structural geology of the area and possible residual stresses. Based on the analytical study it was concluded that the sudden release of elastic energy (shock) due to the rupture of the roof caused the squeezing of approximately eighty mine pillars.

• Research Organization: Dept. of Mining Engineering, College of Mineral and Energy Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
• OSTI ID: 6177792
• Report Number(s): CONF-831009-
• Journal Information: Prepr., Soc. Min. Eng. AIME; (United States), Vol. 83-378; Conference: Society of Mining Engineers of AIME fall meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, USA, 19 Oct 1983
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
ROOFS
CAVING
ROOM AND PILLAR MINING
SUPPORT PILLARS
FAILURE MODE ANALYSIS
WEST VIRGINIA
COAL MINES
RESIDUAL STRESSES
UNDERGROUND MINING
FEDERAL REGION III
MINES
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
STRESSES
SYSTEM FAILURE ANALYSIS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
USA
012000* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Mining