Field and Numerical Modelling Investigations on the Stability of Underground Strata during Longwall Workings

Understanding the behaviour of underground workings is essential for the success of any mining method. The longwall mining method is one of the predominant underground methods to extract coal. Since 1978, in India, 22 underground coal mines of different collieries have been implemented the mechanized longwall method. SCCL is one of that colliery has mixed working experiences with longwall method in their mines. The longwall faces in GDK-10A, JK-5, and VK-7 of SCCL had produced good results, but the faces in GDK-7, GDK-9, GDK-11A, and PVK-5 had suffered due to the geological disturbances and unavailability of real-time information about the strata behaviour. By addressing the previous experiences of longwall workings, Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) has implemented a high capacity (1 × 1152T) powered support system in Adriyala Longwall Project (ALP) at a depth of 375m. In this study, extensive field monitoring with different strata monitoring instruments was conducted in ALP to analyze the gate roads convergence, stress variation on longwall and chain pillars at different stages of extraction (i.e., 8m, 25m, 35m, and 45m) and the pressure variation on the powered support systems. It was observed from the results that the convergence in the gate roads was increasing with the advance of the longwall face and the area of exposure. The pressure of the legs on the dip side was less than the pressure of the legs on the rise side, which implies a stable roof condition over the longwall face. To better understand the behaviour of ALP workings, a numerical modelling study with FLAC 7.0 has been conducted with actual physio-mechanical properties. The computed numerical modelling results have been remarkably well in consistent with the field monitoring results. The stability of chain pillars has been estimated at every stage of extraction by the Factor of Safety (FoS) criterion and it was found that the pillars could be ensured stability in longwall workings.

SUBSTANTIATION OF PARAMETERS OF THE EXPERIMENT WITH THREE-DIMENSIONAL COMPUTER MODELING OF THE ROCK MASS AROUND A LONGWALL

Purpose. To substantiate the parameters of computer modeling of the mining area with a step-by-step movement of the working face, as well as taking into account the changing presence of sandstones that lie in the top of the reservoir, to predict the effect of sandstones on the nature of the distribution of convergence in the longwall and the technology of working excavation in the conditions of the mines of Western Donbass. Methods. The work uses a statistical analysis of the geological and technological conditions that are inherent in the coal mining enterprises of the Western Donbass. Also, a comparison was made of the parameters of the experiment of computer modeling of past studies, on the basis of which, a combination of new features was introduced and changed, which is aimed at choosing the optimal modeling parameters. Results. The substantiation of the parameters of the modeling experiment is presented, such as: the choice of the length of the working face, the depth of development of coal seams, the distance of the working face withdrawal from the assembly chamber, the values of the thickness of sandstones that lie in the roof of the coal seams, the choice of values of the distance of occurrence of sandstones above the roof of the coal seam, as well as geometric parameters of the computer model. Based on the justification of the parameters, a plan for conducting experiments was drawn up, the number of which was 225 units. Scientific novelty. As a result of the substantiation of the parameters, an additional combination of new features in existing studies was proposed for the first time, namely, to include in the experiment the presence of coal seams in the top – sandstones with variable thickness, the distance of occurrence above the seam, several standard sizes of the length of the working face were also included, the value of the development depth, the distance of the exit of the working face from the assembly chamber. Changing the above parameters will make it possible to compare the difference in the effect of the results of each experiment separately, depending on the change in each of the parameters, as well as to understand and generalize the idea of ​​the nature and causes of emergency longwall stops associated with the landing of powered support sections “on a hard base”. Practical significance. Substantiated modeling parameters make it possible to most adequately reflect the processes occurring in the rock mass, as well as to clarify the parameters of the reference rock pressure zones, unloading zones, as well as the nature of the change in the distribution of convergence in the longwall. The data obtained as a result of modeling can be used to select and substantiate an effective method for managing the state of the rock mass around the working excavation, which will eliminate the planting of powered support sections “on a hard base”, thereby increasing the efficiency of coal mining in the Western Donbass.

Effect of geological and technological parameters on the convergence in a stope

Purpose. To study regularities in changes in convergence of wall rocks along a setting line of the powered props depending upon the sandstone availability within the roof, mining depth, as well as its position relative to the coal seam along the length of the extraction column based on the results of numerical experiments and forecast probable zones of rigid settlement of the powered support units according to a longwall length at any moment of a stope arrangement along the extraction pillar in accordance with changes in geological and technological parameters. Methodology. The paper represents numerical experiments based upon 3D computer modelling of incremental stope advance within a layered transverse and isotopic rock mass while applying Solid Works Simulation 2019 software. Findings. The research results, concerning the nature of wall rock distribution value within a stope, are given. The results were obtained using incremental computer modelling of the longwall advance within a layered transverse and isotopic rock mass within the area of initial caving of the main roof. Originality. In the context of the Western Donbas mines, regularities of convergence value of wall rock distribution have been determined depending upon certain changes in such a system of geological and technological parameters as: availability of sandstone with 5 and 30 m thickness both within the immediate rock and at 30 m distance as well as nonavailability of sandstone within a roof; 215, 260 and 305 m changes in longwall length; 150, 300 and 450 m changes within a zone of initial caving of the main roof (1545 m) with 10 m increment of longwall distancing from an installation chamber at 1050 m distances. Practical value. The identified regularities of changes in convergence value make it possible to forecast probable zones of rigid settlement of the powered support units depending upon the longwall length at any moment of a stope location along the extraction pillar irrespective of mining depth. The abovementioned helps optimize the parameters of seam extraction for the conditions of the Western Donbas mines if required.

Effect of Uncertainty in Basing Hydraulic Prop Rod on Dimensional Wear of its Basic Surfaces

Hydraulic power cylinders are the main bearing elements of powered supports at mining enterprises, ensuring reliable fixation of the roof in the required working position, as well as providing advancement of the support in the face. Thus, hydraulic power cylinders ensure stoping safety, so strict requirements are im-posed on them both in terms of workmanship and operational reliability. To ensure reliability and efficiency of powered support operation in faces, it is necessary to ensure stable service life of their hydraulic props, which mainly depends on the quality of manufacturing of mating surfaces and the accuracy of assembling functional joints. The required accuracy of hydraulic prop joints is achieved by selective assembly, which allows ensuring the specified technical requirements and service life of the joints. At the same time, along with the issues of ensuring the accuracy of assembling the props to provide proper safety of the face operation, it is extremely important to identify and analyze the causes of dimensional wear of critical parts of the joints, leading to decreasing service life of the hydraulic props in the course of exploitation. In the paper, using the methods of the analytical theory of bases, the reasons for formation of positional variations of the parts of the powered support hydraulic prop joints in the course of assembling and operation of the unit are identified and described. It was found that arising mismatches and formation of local stress zones on the cylinders, pistons and rods, characterized by intense wear, occurs due to the uncertainty of basing (positioning) of rod and piston in hydraulic cylinder. The dependencies allowing calculating deviation of the rod axis from the required position, taking into account the initial clearance gap in the joints and the adopted design parameters of the hydraulic cylinder, have been obtained.