Geotechnical investigation of mine subsidence incidents in selected areas of Madisonville, Kentucky

Conference · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1984 · Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States)

OSTI ID:6334784

McKin, M J; Shakoor, A

Urban development above abandoned underground mines has been severely hampered by mine subsidence damages. Recently, numerous commercial buildings and housing development in Madisonville, Kentucky, have required extensive structural repair and/or temporary relocation due to mine subsidence. To evaluate possible failure mechanisms, site investigation and subsurface drilling was conducted in four selected areas. The overburden at each site was characterized in terms of its lithology, unit weight, intact strength, and rock-mass strength. Samples of the mine roof, floor, and coal were tested to determine such engineering properties as compressive strength, tensile strength, modulus of deformation, slake durability, and Atterberg limits. The overburden rock (60 feet to 350 feet) is predominantly composed of shale with lesser amounts of siltstone, sandstone, limestone, claystone, and coal, and is not excessively fractured. On the basis of medium intact strength and fair rock-mass quality, the overburden can be regarded as relatively competent. Mine maps indicate 60% to 80% extraction from the No.11 and No.9 coal seams. Pillar crushing analyses, using compressive strengths of coal of 700 psi to 1000 psi, as determined in the lab, reveal safety factors as low as 1. This suggests pillar crushing as the predominant mechanism of failure. The low to very-low intact strength of the underclay floor may also be contributing to mine failure. Where shale forms the roof of the two coal seams, even roof failure is a possibility. The data and analyses contained in this study are aimed at reducing the amount of future exploration, and providing for efficient remedial measures.

• Research Organization: Kent State Univ., OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6334784
• Report Number(s): CONF-8510489-
• Journal Information: Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States), Journal Name: Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States) Vol. 17; ISSN GAAPB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012031* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Underground Mining-- Strata Mechanics & Control-- (1987-)
58 GEOSCIENCES
580300 -- Mineralogy
Petrology
& Rock Mechanics-- (-1989)
COAL MINING
COMPRESSIBILITY
DAMAGE
DEFORMATION
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
FEDERAL REGION IV
FOUNDATIONS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC STRATA
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
GROUND SUBSIDENCE
KENTUCKY
LITHOLOGY
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MECHANICS
MINING
MOISTURE
NORTH AMERICA
OVERBURDEN
ROCK MECHANICS
SOIL-STRUCTURE INTERACTIONS
STRATA MOVEMENT
SUPPORTS
TENSILE PROPERTIES
UNDERGROUND MINING
USA