Proceedings of the Rocscience International Conference (RIC 2023)

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Assessment of Pillar and Interburden Stability in Ultra-Close Multiple-Seam Mining Using Finite Element Modeling

Authors
S. E. Phillipson1, *
1Pittsburgh Safety & Health Technology Center, Pittsburgh, PA, 15236, USA
*Corresponding author. Email: phillipson.sandin@dol.gov
Corresponding Author
S. E. Phillipson
Available Online 8 November 2023.
DOI
10.2991/978-94-6463-258-3_2How to use a DOI?
Keywords
coal-mining; pillar; multiple-seam
Abstract

Our primary evaluation tool for coal pillar designs is the Analysis of Coal Pillar Stability (ACPS) program, which is based on an empirical database of case histories. We apply the Rocscience RS2 two-dimensional finite-element modeling program to ultra-close multiple-seam scenarios to enhance existing methods in three main areas: 1) multiple-seam scenarios beyond the working limits of ACPS and the LaMode boundary element modell; 2) multiple-seam scenarios involving more than two seams, and 3) evaluation of interburden stability. In the first presented example, the severity of multiple-seam interaction is assessed by using the change in σ1, while in the second presented example, plastic material properties are incorporated to predict failure potential in the interburden strata.

Examples of analyses from mining in eastern Kentucky’s Upper Alma-Lower Alma-Pond Creek sequence and the Elkhorn No. 1-Elkhorn No. 2 sequence are presented, with results substantiated by field observations. In general, modeling results suggest that thick, strong sandstone units in the interburden inhibit multiple-seam interaction. The thickness of interburden, presence of sandstone, presence of joints, and width of underlying voids influence interburden failure.

Copyright
© 2023 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the Rocscience International Conference (RIC 2023)
Series
Atlantis Highlights in Engineering
Publication Date
8 November 2023
ISBN
10.2991/978-94-6463-258-3_2
ISSN
2589-4943
DOI
10.2991/978-94-6463-258-3_2How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2023 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - CONF
AU  - S. E. Phillipson
PY  - 2023
DA  - 2023/11/08
TI  - Assessment of Pillar and Interburden Stability in Ultra-Close Multiple-Seam Mining Using Finite Element Modeling
BT  - Proceedings of the Rocscience International Conference  (RIC 2023)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 5
EP  - 12
SN  - 2589-4943
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-258-3_2
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6463-258-3_2
ID  - Phillipson2023
ER  -