Seismic methods for in-seam coal mine ground control problems

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:80254

Foss, M M; Westman, E C ^[1]

---

1. Bureau of Mines, Denver, CO (United States). Denver Research Center

Geophysical methods are being used in underground coal mines to evaluate the presence of stress buildup, voids, fracture zones and other ground control problems. A number of criteria distinguish this type of investigation from the more typical seismic exploration techniques. For example, unlike surface geophysics, in-seam studies frequently employ through-transmission studies on a coal pillar or panel instead of the standard reflection or refraction work. The common coal seam configuration consists of the low velocity coal sandwiched between higher velocity roof and floor rock, creating a wave guide for the emergence of channel waves and the associated benefits of their interpretation. Due to the mining out of the entry ways and crosscuts adjacent to support pillars, the overburden stress is not distributed evenly throughout the coal seam; the stress distribution adds another factor to data interpretation. Criteria for in-seam data acquisition are based on the purpose of the survey, whether the survey is being performed on a coal pillar or panel, access to the pillar or panel, and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) restriction son equipment and activities. Other considerations include whether transmission or reflection should be used, source type, type of geophone or accelerometer, spacing, selection of surface or body wave arrival analysis, and type of reconstruction or data interpretation method.

• OSTI ID: 80254
• Report Number(s): CONF-941015--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
COAL MINES
DATA ACQUISITION
DATA ANALYSIS
ROOFS
SEISMIC SURVEYS
STRATA CONTROL
STRATA MOVEMENT
STRESS ANALYSIS
UNDERGROUND MINING