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Insights into the Relationships Among the Roof, Rib, Floor, and Pillars of Underground Coal Mines

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Abstract

Ground control failures continue to be one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities in underground coal mining. The roof, rib, floor, and pillars are four areas of potential ground failures that miners, engineers, and consultants are continually evaluating. Quite often, these four underground structures are evaluated independently. A recent push to consider them as a system and in a similar manner as design engineers evaluate mechanical systems has highlighted the need to fully understand the interrelationship among the roof, rib, floor, and pillar. This relationship combines the geometry of the mine layout, geological environment, installed support, and even the timing of the coal extraction. Several studies using field observations and instrumentation show that these relationships can be independent at times, while being dependent in other scenarios. Cases with good roof conditions while the rib and floor deteriorate are contrasted with cases where the roof, rib, and floor deteriorate at the same time. The presented cases in this study demonstrate the importance of understanding the geological environment and mine design to ensure that the proper support is installed.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the coal mines who allowed us to conduct this research on behalf of the US Government. Access provided by CDC Center for Disease Control MS C04. On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pittsburgh Mining Research Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Ted M. Klemetti, Mark A. Van Dyke, Nicole Evanek & Craig C. Compton

  2. Department of Mining Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA

    Ihsan Berk Tulu

Authors
  1. Ted M. Klemetti
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  2. Mark A. Van Dyke
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  3. Nicole Evanek
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  4. Craig C. Compton
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  5. Ihsan Berk Tulu
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Correspondence to Ted M. Klemetti.

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The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mention of any company or product does not constitute endorsement by NIOSH.

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Klemetti, T.M., Van Dyke, M.A., Evanek, N. et al. Insights into the Relationships Among the Roof, Rib, Floor, and Pillars of Underground Coal Mines. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 38, 531–538 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-020-00313-7

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