scholarly journals Mining-Induced Seismicity during Development Works in Coalbeds in the Context of Forecasts of Geomechanical Conditions

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (20) ◽  
pp. 6675
Author(s):  
Dariusz Chlebowski ◽  
Zbigniew Burtan

Mining-induced seismicity in the area of development works and proper mining operations is one of the major determinants of the rockburst hazard level in underground mines. Rockburst hazard assessment in Polish collieries is performed by a variety of mining and geophysical methods, including seismic and seismoacoustic techniques, borehole surveys, small diameter drilling, rock strata profiling and analyses of geomechanical properties of rocks, geological structure and geological mining conditions. In the case of zones particularly exposed to potential hazards, it is recommended that analytical or numerical forecasts of the state of stress in the vicinity of workings should be used already at the stage of planning of mining operations. This study summarises the comparative analysis of seismic test data and analytical forecasts of the state of stress in five selected headings in one of the burst-prone collieries within the Upper Silesia Coal Basin in Poland (USCB). As regards the seismic data, duly defined quantitative indicators and energy criteria of the registered seismic activity are recalled in the assessment of rockburst hazard level during the roadheading operations. Analytical simulations utilise a developed geomechanical model and stress–strain relationships stemming from the principles of elastic media mechanics. From the standpoint of mining engineering practice, interpretation of results obtained by the two methods reveals how effective analytical models will be in prognosticating or verification of rockburst hazard conditions.

1968 ◽  
Vol 7 (50) ◽  
pp. 215-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels Reeh

The deformation and the state of stress in the frontal part of a floating glacier is analysed by a method analogous with the beam theory, applied in engineering practice for determining stresses and deflections of a beans of an elastic material. Very rough approximations are made, the most severe being that of assuming the viscosity of the ice constant. Curves showing the progress in time of the deflections and the stresses in the frontal part of the glacier are given for the case of an infinitely wide glacier. The curves show, that the stresses are greatest at a cross-section situated at a distance of about the thickness of the glacier from the front, and that the stresses are of a magnitude which very likely will lead to fracture, resulting in the formation of an iceberg. It is shown that the magnitude of the icebergs as well as the frequency of the calving is a function of the thickness, the density, and the temperature of the glacier. Observations from nature supporting the theory are described. Finally other calving mechanisms for floating glaciers are briefly discussed.


1968 ◽  
Vol 7 (50) ◽  
pp. 215-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels Reeh

The deformation and the state of stress in the frontal part of a floating glacier is analysed by a method analogous with the beam theory, applied in engineering practice for determining stresses and deflections of a beans of an elastic material. Very rough approximations are made, the most severe being that of assuming the viscosity of the ice constant. Curves showing the progress in time of the deflections and the stresses in the frontal part of the glacier are given for the case of an infinitely wide glacier. The curves show, that the stresses are greatest at a cross-section situated at a distance of about the thickness of the glacier from the front, and that the stresses are of a magnitude which very likely will lead to fracture, resulting in the formation of an iceberg. It is shown that the magnitude of the icebergs as well as the frequency of the calving is a function of the thickness, the density, and the temperature of the glacier. Observations from nature supporting the theory are described. Finally other calving mechanisms for floating glaciers are briefly discussed.


1994 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.C. Santamarina ◽  
B. Potts

The stiffness of soils depends on the state of stress. Therefore, the velocity of wave propagation can be used to assess the state of stress and its changes. Indeed, given sufficient data, measurements can be inverted to produce a tomographic image of the stress field. A preliminary study of this approach was conducted with simulated data and is summarized briefly. Results of an experimental study are then presented. Three common geotechnical systems were tested: a footing, a moving surface load, and a retaining wall. Calculated velocity changes are compared with predicted velocity changes, with stress changes being estimated by classical analytical solutions. Good agreement is found in the three cases. The need for accuracy in travel-time measurements, difficulties in tomographic imaging, and the propagation of uncertainty from inverted velocities to stresses are discussed. Key words : geophysical methods, tomography, wave propagation, stress, retaining wall, footings.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Sarmistha R. Majumdar

Fracking has helped to usher in an era of energy abundance in the United States. This advanced drilling procedure has helped the nation to attain the status of the largest producer of crude oil and natural gas in the world, but some of its negative externalities, such as human-induced seismicity, can no longer be ignored. The occurrence of earthquakes in communities located at proximity to disposal wells with no prior history of seismicity has shocked residents and have caused damages to properties. It has evoked individuals’ resentment against the practice of injection of fracking’s wastewater under pressure into underground disposal wells. Though the oil and gas companies have denied the existence of a link between such a practice and earthquakes and the local and state governments have delayed their responses to the unforeseen seismic events, the issue has gained in prominence among researchers, affected community residents, and the media. This case study has offered a glimpse into the varied responses of stakeholders to human-induced seismicity in a small city in the state of Texas. It is evident from this case study that although individuals’ complaints and protests from a small community may not be successful in bringing about statewide changes in regulatory policies on disposal of fracking’s wastewater, they can add to the public pressure on the state government to do something to address the problem in a state that supports fracking.


Author(s):  
Nils Cwiekala ◽  
David A Hills

The state of stress present in an elastic half-plane contact problem, where one or both bodies is subject to remote tension has been investigated, both for conditions of full stick and partial slip. The state of stress present near the contact edges is studied for different loading scenarios in an asymptotic form. This is of practical relevance to the study of contacts experiencing fretting fatigue, and enables the environment in which cracks nucleate to be specified.


Author(s):  
Battista Grosso ◽  
Valentina Dentoni ◽  
Augusto Bortolussi

AbstractUnderground quarrying is rarely adopted for granite extraction due to the difficulties in the implementation of traditional technologies (drilling and explosive). As alternative to drilling and explosive, the combination of diamond wire and water jet seems to be the most promising available technology. The cutting performance achievable with the water jet technology depends on the operative parameters, the material characteristics and the state of stress within the rock massif. To assess the effect of the state of stress on the cutting rate, laboratory tests have been performed with an oscillating water jet machine on granite samples subjected to a static load. The stress distribution in the layer of rock to be removed has been evaluated by numerical simulation with the FLAC code (Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua). The correlation between the results of the cutting tests and the numerical models of the rock samples has been inferred. Starting from a conceptual model, which theoretically describes the relationship between the cutting rate and the stress, a step function was defined that indicates the ranges of stress where predefined values of the cutting rate are workable.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dariusz Chlebowski ◽  
Zbigniew Burtan

AbstractA variety of geophysical methods and analytical modeling are applied to determine the rockburst hazard in Polish coal mines. In particularly unfavorable local conditions, seismic profiling, active/passive seismic tomography, as well as analytical state of stress calculating methods are recommended. They are helpful in verifying the reliability of rockburst hazard forecasts. In the article, the combined analysis of the state of stress determined by active seismic tomography and analytical modeling was conducted taking into account the relationship between the location of stress concentration zones and the level of rockburst hazard. A longwall panel in the coal seam 501 at a depth of ca.700 m in one of the hard coal mines operating in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin was a subject of the analysis. The seismic tomography was applied for the reconstruction of P-wave velocity fields. The analytical modeling was used to calculate the vertical stress states basing on classical solutions offered by rock mechanics. The variability of the P-wave velocity field and location of seismic anomaly in the coal seam in relation to the calculated vertical stress field arising in the mined coal seam served to assess of rockburst hazard. The applied methods partially proved their adequacy in practical applications, providing valuable information on the design and performance of mining operations.


2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 199-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilena Cardu ◽  
Sergio Dipietromaria ◽  
Pierpaolo Oreste

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the state of stress of a „voids-pillar“ structure excavated by means of the sub-level stoping method in an underground limestone quarry near Bergamo (Italy). Both the current structure of the quarry (i.e. the rooms exploited till now) and a possible future scenario were analysed using the (FDM) FLAC 2D code. The quarry has been in operation since 1927; at present, exploitation is carried out underground via the sub-level stoping method. Exploitation involves two levels, with 5 rooms on the upper level and 9 rooms on the lower level. After analysing data obtained from laboratory and in situ tests carried out on rock samples and natural discontinuities, the geomechanical properties of the medium, knowledge of which is essential in order to establish the parameters that must be included in the numerical model, were evaluated. The implementation of three numerical models made it possible to study both the present conditions of quarry exploitation and the evolution of the exploited rooms, as well as a possible expansion involving a third level of rooms. Using the results obtained regarding the stress-strain present in the pillars, a potential change in room geometry was proposed aimed at reducing the stress state inside the pillars, decreasing plasticity and increasing overall quarry safety.


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