Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Structure instability forecasting and analysis of giant rock pillars in steeply dipping thick coal seams

  • Published:
International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy, and Materials Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Structure stability analysis of rock masses is essential for forecasting catastrophic structure failure in coal seam mining. Steeply dipping thick coal seams (SDTCS) are common in the Urumqi coalfield, and some dynamical hazards such as roof collapse and mining- induced seismicity occur frequently in the coal mines. The cause of these events is mainly structure instability in giant rock pillars sandwiched between SDTCS. Developing methods to predict these events is important for safe mining in such a complex environment. This study focuses on understanding the structural mechanics model of a giant rock pillar and presents a viewpoint of the stability of a trend sphenoid fractured beam (TSFB). Some stability index parameters such as failure surface dips were measured, and most dips were observed to be between 46° and 51°. We used a digital panoramic borehole monitoring system to measure the TSFB’s height (ΔH), which varied from 56.37 to 60.50 m. Next, FLAC3D was used to model the distribution and evolution of vertical displacement in the giant rock pillars; the results confirmed the existence of a TSFB structure. Finally, we investigated the acoustic emission (AE) energy accumulation rate and observed that the rate commonly ranged from 20 to 40 kJ/min. The AE energy accumulation rate could be used to anticipate impeding seismic events related to structure failure. The results presented provide a useful approach for forecasting catastrophic events related to structure instability and for developing hazard prevention technology for mining in SDTCS.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. F.H. Ren, X.P. Lai, and M.F. Cai, Dynamic destabilization analysis based on AE experiment of deep-seated, steep-inclined and extra-thick coal seam, J. Univ. Sci. Technol. Beijing, 15(2008), No. 3, p. 215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. S.J. Miao, X.P. Lai, and F. Cui, Top coal flows in an excavation disturbed zone of high section top coal caving of an extremely steep and thick seam, Min. Sci. Technol. China, 21(2011), No. 1, p. 99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Z.Y. Tan and M.F. Cai, Measurement and study of the distributing law of in-situ stresses in rock mass at great depth, J. Univ. Sci. Technol. Beijing, 13(2006), No. 3, p. 207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. T.K. Lu, Y.Z. Liu, and F.S. Xu, Deformation and failure of stratified weak roof strata of longwall roadway, J. Univ. Sci. Technol. Beijing, 14(2007), No. 5, p. 387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. A. Vakili and B.K. Hebblewhite, A new cavability assessment criterion for longwall top coal caving, Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci., 47(2010), No. 8, p. 1317.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. V.V. Khanzode, J. Maiti, and P.K. Ray, A methodology for evaluation and monitoring of recurring hazards in underground coal mining, Saf. Sci., 49(2011), No. 8–9, p. 1172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. J.G. Zhang, Z.Q. Zhao, and Y. Gao, Research on top coal caving technique in steep and extra-thick coal seam, Procedia Earth Planet. Sci., 2(2011), p. 145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. X.P. Lai, P.F. Shan, J.T. Cao, H. Sun, Z.Y. Suo, and F. Cui, Hybrid assessment of pre-blasting weakening to horizontal section top coal caving (HSTCC) in steep and thick seams, Int. J. Min. Sci. Technol., 24(2014), No. 1, p. 31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Y. Luo and Z.W. Shen, Study on orientation fracture blasting with shaped charge in rock, J. Univ. Sci. Technol. Beijing, 13(2006), No. 3, p. 193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Y.K. Ran, L.C. Chen, J. Shen, J. Li, and H.L. Gong, Xishan fault group near Urumqi city and paleo-earthquake identification on reverse fault, Seismol. Geol., 29(2007), No. 2, p. 218.

    Google Scholar 

  11. C.X. Yang, Z.Q. Luo, G.B. Hu, and X.M. Liu, Application of a microseismic monitoring system in deep mining, J. Univ. Sci. Technol. Beijing, 14(2007), No. 1, p. 6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. J. Christer Andersson and C. Derek Martin, The Äspö pillar stability experiment: Part I. Experiment design, Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci., 46(2009), No. 5, p. 865.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. J. Christer Andersson, C. Derek Martin, and H. Stille, The Äspö pillar stability experiment: Part II. Rock mass response to coupled excavation-induced and thermal-induced stresses, Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci., 46(2009), No. 5, p. 879.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. G.S. Esterhuizen, D.R. Dolinar, and J.L. Ellenberger, Pillar strength in underground stone mines in the United States, Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci., 48(2011), No. 1, p. 42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. W. Korzeniowski, Rheological model of hard rock pillar, Rock Mech. Rock Eng., 24(1991), No. 3, p. 155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. M. Rinne, B.T. Shen, and T. Backers, Modelling fracture propagation and failure in a rock pillar under mechanical and thermal loadings, J. Rock Mech. Geo. Eng., 5(2013), No. 1, p. 73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. E. Ghasemi, K. Shahriar, and M. Sharifzadeh, A new method for risk assessment of pillar recovery operation, Saf. Sci., 48(2010), No. 10, p. 1304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. H.Z. Zhu, P. Liu, and Z.Y. Tong, Numerical simulation research and application on protected layer pressure relief affection under different coal pillar width, Procedia Eng., 84(2014), p. 818.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. C.P. Please, D.P. Mason, C.M. Khalique, J.M.T. Ngnotchouye, A.J. Hutchinson, J.N. van der Merwe, and H. Yilmaz, Fracturing of an Euler-Bernoulli beam in coal mine pillar extraction, Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci., 64(2013), p. 132.

    Google Scholar 

  20. R.K. Wattimena, S. Kramadibrata, I.D. Sidi, and M.A. Azizi, Developing coal pillar stability chart using logistic regression, Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci., 58(2013), p. 55.

    Google Scholar 

  21. R. Singh, A.K. Singh, J. Maiti, P.K. Mandal, R. Singh, and R. Kumar, An observational approach for assessment of dynamic loading during underground coal pillar extraction, Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci., 48(2011), No. 5, p. 794.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. A.K. Singh, R. Singh, J. Maiti, R. Kumar, and P.K. Mandal, Assessment of mining induced stress development over coal pillars during depillaring, Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci., 48(2011), No. 5, p. 805.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. X.H. Chen, W.Q. Li, and X.Y. Yan, Analysis on rock burst danger when fully-mechanized caving coal face passed fault with deep mining, Saf. Sci., 50(2012), No. 4, p. 645.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. M. Najafi, S.E. Jalali, A.R. Yarahmadi Bafghi, and F. Sereshki, Prediction of the confidence interval for stability analysis of chain pillars in coal mines, Saf. Sci., 49(2011), No. 5, p. 651.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Energy School, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an, 710054, China

    Xing-ping Lai, Huan Sun, Peng-fei Shan, Jian-tao Cao & Feng Cui

  2. Key Laboratory of Western Mines and Hazard Prevention (Ministry of Education of China), Xi’an, 710054, China

    Xing-ping Lai, Huan Sun, Peng-fei Shan, Jian-tao Cao & Feng Cui

  3. Bharti School of Engineering, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada

    Ming Cai

Authors
  1. Xing-ping Lai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Huan Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Peng-fei Shan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ming Cai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jian-tao Cao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Feng Cui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xing-ping Lai.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lai, Xp., Sun, H., Shan, Pf. et al. Structure instability forecasting and analysis of giant rock pillars in steeply dipping thick coal seams. Int J Miner Metall Mater 22, 1233–1244 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-015-1190-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-015-1190-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation