Restraint effect of partition wall on the tunnel floor heave in layered rock mass

The presence of horizontal layered rocks in tunnel engineering significantly impacts the stability and strength of the surrounding rock mass,leading to floor heave in the tunnel.This study focused on preparing layered specimens of rock-like material with varying thickness to investigate the failure behaviors of tunnel floors.The results indicate that thin-layered rock mass exhibits weak interlayer bonding,causing rock layers near the surface to buckle and break upwards when subjected to horizontal squeezing.With an increase in the layer thickness,a transition in failure mode occurs from upward buckling to shear failure along the plane,leading to a noticeable reduction in floor heave deformation.The primary cause of significant deformation in floor heave is upward buckling failure.To address this issue,the study proposes the installation of a partition wall in the middle of the floor to mitigate heave deformation of the rock layers.The results demonstrate that the partition wall has a considerable stabilizing effect on the floor,reducing the zone of buckling failure and minimizing floor heave deformation.It is crucial for the partition wall to be sufficiently high to prevent buckling failure and ensure stability.Through simulation calculations on an engineering example,it is confirmed that implementing a partition wall can effectively reduce floor heave and enhance the stability of tunnel floor.

Floor heave in the west wing track haulage roadway of the Tingnan Coal Mine: Mechanism and control

Floor heave of a roadway is a dynamic phenomenon that often happens in the roadways of coal mines. It seriously affects safe production in the coal mine. Floor heave has long been one of the most difficult problems to be resolved during coal mining. An analysis of floor heave in the soft rock surrounding the roadway, and the factors influencing it, allowed the deformation mechanism in the west wing double track haulage roadway of the Tingnan Coal Mine to be deduced. Three types of floor heave are observed there: intumescent floor heave, extrusion and mobility floor heave, and compound floor heave. Control measures are proposed that have been adopted during a recent repair engineering project. Control of the floor heave in the west wing track haulage roadway was demonstrated. The reliability and rationality of a combined support technology including floor anchors, an inverted arch, and anchoring of both sides was verified by mine pressure data and the field observations. Waterproofing measures were also under-taken to assist in the control of floor heave.

Control technology for floor heave of Jurassic soft rock in the Erdos Basin of China: A case study

The deformation of soft rock roadway caused by floor heave is a major challenge for coal mines in China western mining areas. To achieve security and stability of soft rock roadway, this work considered the headgate at panel 11505 of the Yushujing Coal Mine as background. First, based on the limit equilibrium method and slip line field theory,a model of floor heave was established, the mechanism of floor heave control was analyzed, and an optimized support method was proposed. Then, the displacement, stress and failure zones around the surrounding rock with the original and optimized support were studied by FLAC. Finally, the serviceability of the support method was verified by field application. The results showed that the main deformation form of soft rock roadway is floor heave, and 0.5 m is relatively reasonable thicknesses of the inverted arch. The extrusion failure zone and shear failure zone were mainly affected by tensile and shear failure, respectively. The modification of floor and the effective support are key points. The failure zone was consistent between numerical simulation and theoretical calculation. The maximum convergences of floor heave determined by numerical simulation and field measurement were 220 mm and 240 mm, respectively, which were reduced by 55% and 60% compared with the original support, and the convergence between sidewalls decreased considerably. The optimized support method controls the floor heave well.

Mechanics model and numerical analysis of floor heave in soft rock roadway

The mechanism of floor heave was analyzed by establishing mechanics models and solving differential equations. The amount of floor heave is proportional to the abutment pressure of surrounding rock, roadway width, and the distance of support pressure peak to the roadway and is inversely proportional to the elastic modulus of floor rock. Using FLAC2D to simulate floor rock grouting in soft rock roadway verifies the active role of floor rock grouting in the floor controlling of soft rock roadway; floor rock grouting and grouting range directly impact on the stability scope of surrounding rock, namely, with the increase of grouting range, the subsidence of roof, the approach of both sides, and the amount of floor heave decreased gradually, the stability of surrounding rock is enhanced

Analytical solution for stress and deformation of the mining floor based on integral transform

Following exploitation of a coal seam, the final stress field is the sum of in situ stress field and an excavation stress field. Based on this feature, we firstly established a mechanics analytical model of the mining floor strata. Then the study applied Fourier integral transform to solve a biharmonic equation,obtaining the analytical solution of the stress and displacement of the mining floor. Additionally, this investigation used the Mohr–Coulomb yield criterion to determine the plastic failure depth of the floor strata. The calculation process showed that the plastic failure depth of the floor and floor heave are related to the mining width, burial depth and physical–mechanical properties. The results from an example show that the curve of the plastic failure depth of the mining floor is characterized by a funnel shape and the maximum failure depth generates in the middle of mining floor; and that the maximum and minimum principal stresses change distinctly in the shallow layer and tend to a fixed value with an increase in depth. Based on the displacement results, the maximum floor heave appears in the middle of the stope and its value is 0.107 m. This will provide a basis for floor control. Lastly, we have verified the analytical results using FLAC3 Dto simulate floor excavation and find that there is some deviation between the two results, but their overall tendency is consistent which illustrates that the analysis method can well solve the stress and displacement of the floor.

Mechanical model for controlling floor heave in deep roadways with U-shaped steel closed support

Open U-shaped steel arch supports are commonly used in large-section static-pressure roadways in coal mines that are more than 900 m deep;however,it is very difficult to control floor heave of roadways.In this paper,a U-shaped steel closed support with an inverted U-shaped steel arch in the floor is proposed as a method for improving the support effect of the surrounding rock during the process of floor heaving.This research established a mechanical model for the U-shaped steel closed support,and determined the reaction forces at the connection of a camber angle.Using the limit load method calculated the critical buckling load of the inverted U-shaped steel arch,and use of a strength check method tested the strength of the U-shaped steel material.A numerical simulation was conducted using the finite difference software FLAC3 D.The simulation results show that the U-shaped steel closed support is able to control the floor heave of roadways,which is successfully used in the West 11-2 development roadway of the Zhuji Mine in the Huainan mining area in China.The cumulative floor heave over two years was less than50 mm.

Numerical simulation of grooving method for floor heave control in soft rock roadway

Grooving method can restrain the deformation and destruction of surrounding rock by transferring the maximum stress to deep rock,bringing about the effective control for floor heave in soft rock roadway. Based on this important effect,and to discuss the relationship between cutting parameters and pressurerelief effect,this paper carried out a numerical simulation of grooving along bottom slab and two sides of gateway with finite difference software FLAC^（2D）.The results show that the control effect on floor heave in soft rock tunnel can be improved by selecting appropriate cutting parameters.Appropriately increasing the crevice depth in the middle of the floor can improve the stress state of bottom slab by stress transfer. So the floor heave can be more effectively controlled.To lengthen the crevice in the corners of roadway can simultaneously transfer the maximum stresses of bottom slab and two sides to deep rock,and promote the pressure-relief effect.Extending the crevice length and crevice width on both sides within a certain range can decrease the stress concentration in the corners of roadway,and reduce the deformation of two sides.The cutting position beneficial to restrain the floor heave is close to the bottom slab.

Anchoring mechanism and application of hydraulic expansion bolts used in soft rock roadway floor heave control

Comparing with the resin bolt, the hydraulic expansion bolt has different anchoring mechanism and application advantage. According to the working mechanism of the hydraulic expansion bolt, its anchoring force is expressed in four forms including support anchoring force, tension anchoring force, expansion anchoring force and tangent anchoring force, and their values can be obtained on the basis of each calculation formula. Among them, the expansion anchoring force, which is the unique anchoring force of the hydraulic expansion bolt, can provide confining pressure to increase the strength of rock. Aiming at solving the problem of stability control in the soft rock roadway in Jinbaotun Coal Mine which has a double layer of 40 U-type sheds and cannot provide enough resistance support to control floor heave, the study reveals the mechanism of floor heave in the soft rock roadway, and designs the reasonable support parameters of the hydraulic expansion bolts. The observed results of floor convergence indicate that the hydraulic expansion bolts can prevent the development and flow of the plastic zone in the floor rock to control floor heave. Research results enrich the control technology in the soft rock roadway.

Study of mechanical principle of floor heave of roadway driving along next goaf in fully mechanized sub-level caving face

Abstract On the basis of analyzing floor strata mechanical circumstance of the roadway, the mechanical model was established. The relative displacement of roadway floor, narrow pillar floor coal mass and floor strata was calculated, the results showed that the high abutment pressure on coal mass beside the roadway was the main reason to lead to relative displacement of floor strata. And the roadway floor heave come mainly from three aspects. Firstly, the roadway floor strata is easily fractured by the stretch stress. Secondly, because the high abutment pressure is greater than the uniaxial compressive strength of floor strata, when the roadway floor strata are fractured, the coal mass floor strata at the same depth will be fractured, and broken rock will fluid into the open roadway. Thirdly, comparing with the coal mass floor, the roadway floor is relative ascending.

Study on mechanical principle of reinforcing sidewalls and corners of roadway to control floor heave by anchors

The movement principle of sidewalls and floor of extraction opening is analyzed, it is found that floor heave not only has something to do with the floor strata, but sidewalls. The effect of sidewall anchor and corner anchor is studied, the mechanical principle of reinforcing sidewalls and corners is put forward and applied in engineering practice.

Deformation control of asymmetric floor heave in a deep rock roadway:A case study

In order to control asymmetric floor heave in deep rock roadways and deformation around the surrounding rock mass after excavation, in this paper we discuss the failure mechanism and coupling control countermeasures using the finite difference method （FLAC^3D） combined with comparative analysis and typical engineering application at Xingcun coal mine, It is indicated by the analysis that the simple symmetric support systems used in the past led to destruction of the deep rock roadway from the key zone and resulted in the deformation of asymmetric floor heave in the roadway. Suitable rein- forced support countermeasures are proposed to reduce the deformation of the floor heave and the potential risk during mining. The application shows that the present support technology can he used to better environmental conditions. The countermeasures of asymmetric coupling support can not only effectively reduce the discrepancy deformation at the key area of the surrounding rock mass, hut also effectively control floor heave, which helps realize the integration of support and maintain the stability of the deep rock roadways at Xingcun coal mine.

Mitigation of floor heave in West Kentucky Coal Mine

A West Kentucky mine operation in No. 11 seam encountered floor heave, due to the localized increase in the thickness of the fireclay mine floor. Floor heave has overridden seals installed in two mined out panels. The third seal's location was planned for isolating that area from the Mains. A plan of support has been developed to prevent repetition of the floor heave and related problems outby the seals. The applied ground control measures were successful. An attempt of a 3D numerical modeling was made; thus, it would match the observed behavior of the mine floor and could be used as a design tool in similar conditions. The paper describes sequence of events, an applied mitigation ground control system, and the first stage of numerical modeling.

Numerical analysis on water-inrush process due to floor heave

To investigate the water-inrush process due to floor heave,simulation model was made and factors of mining height,immediate roof strength,water pressure,depth and strength of confiningbed,excavation step distance and bury depth were analyzed by using UDEC software.Five zones theory (containing two maximum main stress circles and three maximum main stress stratiform zones) along excavation direction was proposed, and two-ends-fixed beam mechanical model in maximum main stress circle was estab- lished.It is found that water inrush always occurs at the end of the beam where shear stress is higher,that is to say,it always occurs at near the starting cut and working face. Water pressure,height and strength of confiningbed are the determined factors,and min- ing height,immediate roof strength,excavation step distance and bury depth effect water inrush process due to floor heave.

Parameters determination and bolting control of gateway floor

Gateway floor heave control is the key to guarantee mine safe and efficient production. Through analysis of floor instability characteristics and bolting control, gateway floor strata show second level stress under abutment pressure, which causes plastic flow failure in floor strata; gateway floor instability shows mainly shear-break slippage of ＂triangle sliding body＂. Mechanics of floor bolting is mainly a function of connection and combination. Main area of bolting control lies in two gateway floor angles. The paper analyzes mechanics principle of gateway floor instability, constructs stability mechanics model of gateway floor bolting, obtains gateway floor stability criterion of different bolting angles and optimum formula of bolting parameters, carries out the engineering example, and guides better field application. It provides theoretical base for bolting gateway floor instability control.

Floor heave characteristics and control technology of the roadway driven in deep inclined-strata

Based on in-mine instrumentation and theoretical analysis of the unsymmetrical large-deformation that occurred in the roadway after excavation,Differential Floor Heave(DFH)was found to be the main reason for roadway failure.It needs to be pointed out that the specific roadway was driven in inclined rock strata.In addition,the factors that contribute to the occurrence of DFH are discussed in detail.It is believed that DFH is triggered by the unsymmetrical stress distribution in the floor and the different rock types encountered near the two floor corners.Hence,DFH control should be focused on the left floor corner where shearing failure occurs initially and the left floor surface where tensile failure is more severe.The proposed DFH control strategies include unsymmetrical grouting for the whole roadway,re-design of the roof and ribs support,reinforcement of the weak zones,and release of the concentrated stress in the earlier stage.Meanwhile,it is recommended that in the later stage,both bolts and cable bolts with higher strength and the backfilling technique using the coal measure rocks and concrete should be employed in the reversed-arch floor.The field instrumentation results,after using the proposed control strategies,indicate that large deformation in a DFH roadway has been successfully controlled.

Controlling floor heave of extraction opening by reinforcing sides and roof

The effect of reinforcing roof, sides and floor corners to control floor heave of extraction opening was analyzed, It was proved by engineering practice and numerical simulation that reinforcing any part of surrounding rock have certainly control effect for floor heave, in the basis of this, the new way that roof, sides and floor corners were rein-forced to control floor heave was put forward. Contrasting control result of reinforcing floor with this, it is determined that reinforcing is more suitable to control floor heave of extrac-tion opening than reinforcing floor when advancing abutment pressure is in some range.

Control of floor heaves with steel pile in gob-side entry retaining

A new approach named as steel pile method is innovatively proposed in this study to control severe floor heaves in gob-side entry retaining. It is required that the steel piles be installed in the floor corners with a certain interval before the influence of the dynamic pressure induced by current panel extraction. Using numerical simulation and theoretical analysis, this study investigated the interaction between the steel piles and the floor rocks during the service life of the steel piles, and revealed the mechanism of the steel piles in controlling floor heaves. The effect of the steel pile parameters on the control of floor heaves was presented and elaborated. It is found that the effectiveness of the steel piles in controlling floor heaves can be enhanced with greater installed dip angle, longer length and smaller interval of the steel piles.Compared with traditional methods, e.g., using floor anchor bolts and floor restoration, the advantages using steel pile were successfully defined in terms of controlling effect and economic benefits. It is hoped that the proposed method can contribute to the development of gob-side entry retaining technique.

Application of the coal mine floor rating(CMFR)to assess the floor stability in a Central Appalachian Coal Mine

Estimating the overall floor stability in a coal mine using deterministic methods which require complex engineering properties of floor strata is desirable,but generally it is impractical due to the difficulty of gathering essential input data.However,applying a quantitative methodology to describe floor quality with a single number provides a practical estimate for preliminary assessment of floor stability.The coal mine floor rating(CMFR)system,developed by the University of New South Wales(UNSW),is a rockmass classification system that provides an indicator for the competence of floor strata.The most significant components of the CMFR are uniaxial compressive strength and discontinuity intensity of floor strata.In addition to the competence of the floor,depth of cover and stress notch angle are input parameters used to assess the preliminary floor stability.In this study,CMFR methodology was applied to a Central Appalachian Coal Mine that intermittently experienced floor heave.Exploratory drill core data,overburden maps,and mine plans were utilized for the study.Additionally,qualitative data(failure/non-failure)on floor conditions of the mine entries near the core holes was collected and analyzed so that the floor quality and its relation to entry stability could be estimated by statistical methods.It was found that the current CMFR classification system is not directly applicable in assessing the floor stability of the Central Appalachian Coal Mine.In order to extend the applicability of the CMFR classification system,the methodology was modified.A calculation procedure of one of the CMFR classification system’s components,the horizontal stress rating(HSR),was changed and new parameters were added to the HSR.

Study on mechanism of reinforcing sides to control floor heave of extraction opening

Roadway surrounding rock is a compound structure consisted of roof, floor and sides. The sides of extraction opening is the weak coal mass, which affect immediately the stability of floor. It was simulated by numerical calculation for the strength of sides coal to affect the floor heave, the higher strength of sides coal is, the lower degree of floor heave was. So it was put forward reinforcing sides to control floor heave of extraction opening, and it was proved by engineering practice that the floor heave of deep extraction opening can be controlled to a certain degree by reinforcing sides of roadway.

Support technology of deep roadway under high stress and its application

Roadway instability has been a major concern in the fields of mining engineering. This paper aims to provide practical and efficient strategy to support the roadways under high in-situ stress. A case study on the stability of deep roadways was carried out in an underground mine in Gansu province, China. Currently,the surrounding rock strata is extremely fractured, which results in a series of engineering disasters, such as side wall collapse and severe floor heave in the past decades. Aiming to solve these problems, an improved support method was proposed, which includes optimal bolt parameters and arrangement, floor beam layout by grooving, and full length grouting. Based on the modeling results by FLAC3D, the new support method is much better than the current one in terms of preventing the large deformation of surrounding rock and restricting the development of plastic zones. For implementation and verification, field experiments, along with deformation monitoring, were conducted in the 958 level roadway of Mining II areas. The results show that the improved support can significantly reduce surrounding rock deformation, avoid frequent repair, and maintain the long-term stability of the roadway. Compared to the original support, the new support method can greatly save investment of mines, and has good application value and popularization value.