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Modelling of Fragile Coal Mine Roof and Estimation of Rock Loads—Some Empirical and Numerical Methods

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Abstract

Weak, layered, and fragile rock mass formation, if not supported properly, is subject to roof failure thereby affecting safety and productivity in underground coal mines. Though Central Mining Research Institute – Indian School of Mines Rock Mass Rating (CMRI-ISM RMR) based well-defined support design guidelines are established, still occurrence of roof failures in underground coal mines is a real matter of concern for mining engineers and researchers. Numerical modeling techniques are successfully used by several researchers by simulating rock mass condition for stability assessment of mine openings. The analysis becomes crucial in case of weak and fragile rock formation. The present research envelops the determination of 31 cases of rock load by CMRI-ISM RMR under different geo-mining conditions followed by the development of modified Rock Mass Rating (RMR), i.e., rock mass rating dynamic (RMRdyn) by incorporating P-wave velocity as a new parameter. The rock load determined using RMRdyn and numerical models was correlated and found in close agreement. In addition, the deviation in rock load determined by all the three approaches, i.e., CMRI-ISM RMR, numerical modeling, and RMRdyn, was compared with the actual field data. The percentage deviation obtained in RMRdyn and numerical modeling is less compared to CMRI-ISM RMR.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the mine management of all the mine subsidiaries for their notable help in carrying out the research work in a smooth manner. The authors would also want to extend their gratitude to the Rock Mechanics laboratory of CSIR-CIMFR for their kind support for the testing of the rock samples. The director of CSIR-CIMFR and the director of IIT (ISM) are also thankful for the remarkable cooperation during the course of the research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIR - Central Institute of Mining & Fuel Research, Dhanbad, 826015, India

    Avinash Paul, Amar Prakash, Ajoy Kumar Singh & John Loui Porathur

  2. Department of Mining Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, 826004, India

    V. M. S. R. Murthy

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  1. Avinash Paul
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Correspondence to Avinash Paul.

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Paul, A., Murthy, V.M.S.R., Prakash, A. et al. Modelling of Fragile Coal Mine Roof and Estimation of Rock Loads—Some Empirical and Numerical Methods. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 40, 1879–1897 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-023-00841-y

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