Model studies to develop criteria of subsidence due to the room and pillar mining of coal

Conference · Wed Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Prepr., Soc. Min. Eng. AIME; (United States)

OSTI ID:6178378

Khair, A W; Begley, R D

Surface subsidence is a phenomenon mainly associated with longwall mining, although it can also occur if the coal pillar left to protect the surface deteriorates with time and results in the collapse of the room and pillar system. A method has been developed that utilizes physical mine models and laser holographic interferometry. This method is capable of measuring displacements as small as 5 microinches by means of generating displacement contours on a surface, even that of granular materials. Analysis of subsidence in room and pillar mining using models of various extraction ratios and overburden depths along with two different types of overburden model material (sand and gelatin) has been made. The sand represented the extreme brittle conditions of geologic material while the gelatin represented viscoelastic behavior of geologic material. This paper deals with the analysis of data which has been gathered up to date, and mainly associated with the use of sand as an overburden model material. The analysis included the effect of variation of geometric parameters on surface subsidence. Among these parameters are: variation in seam depth and thickness, surface and seam inclination, and extraction ratio.

• Research Organization: West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
• OSTI ID: 6178378
• Report Number(s): CONF-840218-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Prepr., Soc. Min. Eng. AIME; (United States) Journal Volume: 84-92
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL MINES
COAL SEAMS
DEPTH
DIMENSIONS
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC MODELS
GEOLOGY
GROUND SUBSIDENCE
INCLINATION
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINES
MINING
OVERBURDEN
RESOURCES
ROOM AND PILLAR MINING
SLOPE STABILITY
STABILITY
THICKNESS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
UNDERGROUND MINING