Mechanical behaviors of coal measures and ground control technologies for China's deep coal mines-A review

This paper reviews the major achievements in terms of mechanical behaviors of coal measures,mining stress distribution characteristics and ground control in China’s deep underground coal mining.The three main aspects of this review are coal measure mechanics,mining disturbance mechanics,and rock support mechanics.Previous studies related to these three topics are reviewed,including the geo-mechanical properties of coal measures,distribution and evolution characteristics of mining-induced stresses,evolution characteristics of mining-induced structures,and principles and technologies of ground control in both deep roadways and longwall faces.A discussion is made to explain the structural and mechanical properties of coal measures in China’s deep coal mining practices,the types and dis-tribution characteristics of in situ stresses in underground coal mines,and the distribution of mining-induced stress that forms under different geological and engineering conditions.The theory of pre-tensioned rock bolting has been proved to be suitable for ground control of deep underground coal roadways.The use of combined ground control technology(e.g.ground support,rock mass modification,and destressing)has been demonstrated to be an effective measure for rock control of deep roadways.The developed hydraulic shields for 1000 m deep ultra-long working face can effectively improve the stability of surrounding rocks and mining efficiency in the longwall face.The ground control challenges in deep underground coal mines in China are discussed,and further research is recommended in terms of theory and technology for ground control in deep roadways and longwall faces.

Observer-Based Path Tracking Controller Design for Autonomous Ground Vehicles With Input Saturation

This paper investigates the problem of path tracking control for autonomous ground vehicles(AGVs),where the input saturation,system nonlinearities and uncertainties are considered.Firstly,the nonlinear path tracking system is formulated as a linear parameter varying(LPV)model where the variation of vehicle velocity is taken into account.Secondly,considering the noise effects on the measurement of lateral offset and heading angle,an observer-based control strategy is proposed,and by analyzing the frequency domain characteristics of the derivative of desired heading angle,a finite frequency H_∞index is proposed to attenuate the effects of the derivative of desired heading angle on path tracking error.Thirdly,sufficient conditions are derived to guarantee robust H_∞performance of the path tracking system,and the calculation of observer and controller gains is converted into solving a convex optimization problem.Finally,simulation examples verify the advantages of the control method proposed in this paper.

Physical and numerical investigations of target stratum selection for ground hydraulic fracturing of multiple hard roofs

Ground hydraulic fracturing plays a crucial role in controlling the far-field hard roof,making it imperative to identify the most suitable target stratum for effective control.Physical experiments are conducted based on engineering properties to simulate the gradual collapse of the roof during longwall top coal caving(LTCC).A numerical model is established using the material point method(MPM)and the strain-softening damage constitutive model according to the structure of the physical model.Numerical simulations are conducted to analyze the LTCC process under different hard roofs for ground hydraulic fracturing.The results show that ground hydraulic fracturing releases the energy and stress of the target stratum,resulting in a substantial lag in the fracturing of the overburden before collapse occurs in the hydraulic fracturing stratum.Ground hydraulic fracturing of a low hard roof reduces the lag effect of hydraulic fractures,dissipates the energy consumed by the fracture of the hard roof,and reduces the abutment stress.Therefore,it is advisable to prioritize the selection of the lower hard roof as the target stratum.

Shallow Tunneling Method and Control Measure for Ground Surface Settlement

In order to ensure that the tunnel deformation and surface settlement are controlled within the allowable range during the construction process,the design unit has compiled technical measures and monitoring schemes for ground settlement control of this project.Based on the example of a shallow tunneling project on Subway line 8,this paper analyzes and discusses the shallow tunneling method in detail and puts forward corresponding technical measures for ground settlement control.

Ground response and failure mechanism of gob-side entry by roof cutting with hard main roof

This study is the result of long-term efforts of the authors’team to assess ground response of gob-side entry by roof cutting(GSERC)with hard main roof,aiming at scientific control for GSERC deformation.A comprehensive field measurement program was conducted to determine entry deformation,roof fracture zone,and anchor bolt(cable)loading.The results indicate that GSERC deformation presents asymmetric characteristics.The maximum convergence near roof cutting side is 458 mm during the primary use process and 1120 mm during the secondary reuse process.The entry deformation is closely associated with the primary development stage,primary use stage,and secondary reuse stage.The key block movement of roof cutting structure,a complex stress environment,and a mismatch in the supporting design scheme are the failure mechanism of GSERC.A controlling ideology for mining states,including regional and stage divisions,was proposed.Both dynamic and permanent support schemes have been implemented in the field.Engineering practice results indicate that the new support scheme can efficiently ensure long-term entry safety and could be a reliable approach for other engineering practices.

基于ControlVAE的约束嵌入稠密时变阵列构建

在对探地雷达(Ground Penetrating Radar,GPR)数据进行三维建模与可视化分析过程中,其所依赖的三维时变阵列通常是由一维数据道或二维阵列间接生成的.由于采集到的数据往往比较稀疏,且存在不规则偏移,需要进行稠密处理,以获得高密度三维时变阵列.本文提出了一种基于可控变分自编码(Controllable Variational AutoEncoder,ControlVAE)的约束嵌入稠密时变阵列构建方法 .使用基于ControlVAE的时变数据重构网络,通过隐空间采样插值和深浅层特征信息的融合,生成接近真实分布的伪道数据来增加阵列密度.构建了基于尺度不变特征变换的数据配准模块,提取道间梯度特征与结构对称性特征,可以在时空域内完成数据配准.同时将浅层特征作为约束信息嵌入数据重构网络,以消除数据道偏移对阵列生成的影响.实验结果表明,本文方法仅使用单测线二维B-scan数据集即可重建稠密时变阵列,可以有效降低重构模型累积误差,提高面对复杂真实数据时的鲁棒性.

Integrated Guidance and Control of Homing Missiles Against Ground Fixed Targets

This paper presents a scheme of integrated guidance and autopilot design for homing missiles against ground fixed targets. An integrated guidance and control model in the pitch plane is formulated and further changed into a normal form by nonlinear coordinate transformation. By adopting the sliding mode control approach, an adaptive nonlinear control law of the system is designed so that the missile can hit the target accurately with a desired impact attitude angle. The stability analysis of the closed-loop system is also conducted. The numerical simulation has confirmed the usefulness of the proposed design scheme.

Multi-constrained model predictive control for autonomous ground vehicle trajectory tracking

A multi-constrained model predictive control （ MPC ） algorithm for trajectory tracking of an autonomous ground vehicle is proposed and tested in this paper. First, to simplify the computa- tion, an active steering linear error model is applied in the MPC controller. Then, a control incre- ment constraint and a relaxing factor are taken into account in the objective function to ensure the smoothness of the trajectory, using a softening constraints technique. In addition, the controller can obtain optimal control sequences which satisfy both the actual kinematic constraints and the actuator constraints. The circular trajectory tracking performance of the proposed method is compared with that of another MPC controller. To verify the trajectory tracking capabilities of the designed control- ler at different desired speed, the simulation experiments are carried out at the speed of 3m/s, 5m/ s and 10m/s. The results demonstrate the MPC controller has a good speed adaptability.

Adaptive Control of Helicopter Ground Resonance with Magnetorheological Damper

The methodology for adaptive control of helicopter ground resonance with magnetorheological （MR） damper is presented. The adaptive inverse control method is used to control the output damping force of MR damper and the range of the damping force is given. Through the adaptive inverse control, the damping force of MR damper is fit to a desired damping force. With the background of applying MR damper to control of helicopter ground resonance, a model of loss force and an adaptive arithmetic for stabilization of the coupled rotor/fuselage system are presented. The simulation shows that the controller presented in this paper can stabilize the rotor/fuselage coupling system quickly and control the helicopter ground resonance effectively.

Underground ground control monitoring and interpretation,and numerical modeling, and shield capacity design

Mine or longwall panel layout is a 3D structure with highly non-uniform stress distribution. Recognition of such fact will facilitate underground problem identification/investigation and solving by numerical modeling through proper model construction. Due to its versatility, numerical modeling is the most popular method for ground control design and problem solving. However numerical modeling results require highly experienced professionals to interpret its validity/applicability to actual mining operations due to complicated mining and geological conditions. Underground ground control monitoring is routinely performed to predict roof behavior such as weighting and weighting interval without matching observation of face mining condition while the mining pressures are being monitored, resulting in unrealistic interpretation of the obtained data on mining pressure. The importance of ground control pressure monitoring and simultaneous observation of mining and geological conditions is illustrated by an example of shield leg pressure monitoring and interpretation in an U.S. longwall coal mine: it was found that the roof strata act like a plate, not an individual block of the size of a shield dimension, as commonly assumed by all researchers and shield capacity is not a fixed property for a longwall panel or a mine or a coal seam. A new mechanism on the interaction between shield's hydraulic leg pressure and roof strata for shield loading is proposed.

Fundamentals of modern ground control management in Australian underground coal mines

Underground coal mining is inherently hazardous,with uncontrolled ground failure regarded as one of only several critical risks for multiple fatality events.Development,implementation and management of overarching systems and procedures for maintaining strata control is an important step to mitigating the impact of ground failure hazards at a mine site operational level.This paper summarised the typical pro-active ground control management system(PGCMS)implemented in various Australian underground coal mines.Australia produces approximately 100 million tonnes a year of metallurgical and thermal coal from approximately 30 of the world’s safest longwall mines operating in New South Wales and Queensland.The increased longwall productivity required to achieve both high levels of safety and profitability,places significant emphasis on the reliability of pro-active ground control management for longwall mining operations.Increased depths,adverse geological conditions,elevated variable stress regimes and weaker ground conditions,coupled with an industry wide need for increased development rates continue to make ground control management challenging.Ground control management is not only about ground support and pillar design though but also a structured process that requires a coordinated effort from all levels of the workforce to both minimise the occurrence of adverse geotechnical events and mitigate the potential risks when they do occur.The PGCMS presented in this paper is proven to provide both a safer and more productive mine environment through minimisation of unplanned delays.The critical elements of the method are presented in detail and demonstrate the utility and value of a ground control management system that has potential for implementation in underground coal mining globally.

Preventing roof fall fatalities during pillar recovery:A ground control success story

For decades, pillar recovery accounted for a quarter of all roof fall fatalities in underground coal mines.Studies showed that a miner on a pillar recovery section was at least three times more likely to be killed by a roof fall than other coal miners. Since 2007, however, there has been just one fatal roof fall on a pillar line. This paper describes the process that resulted in this historic achievement. It covers both the key research findings and the ways in which those insights, beginning in the early 2000 s, were implemented in mining practice. One key finding was that safe pillar recovery requires both global and local stability.Global stability is addressed primarily through proper pillar design, and became a major focus after the2007 Crandall Canyon mine disaster. But the most significant improvements resulted from detailed studies that showed that local stability, defined as roof control in the immediate work area, could be achieved with three interventions:(1) leaving an engineered final stump, rather than extracting the entire pillar,(2) enhancing roof bolt support, particularly in intersections, and(3) increasing the use of mobile roof supports(MRS). A final component was an emphasis on better management of pillar recovery operations.This included a focus on worker positioning, as well as on the pillar and lift sequences, MRS operations,and hazard identification. As retreat mines have incorporated these elements into their roof control plans,it has become clear that pillar recovery is not ‘‘inherently unsafe." The paper concludes with a discussion of the challenges that remain, including the problems of rib falls and coal bursts.

Mechanism and control technology of strong ground pressure behaviour induced by high-position hard roofs in extra-thick coal seam mining

This work aimed at revealing the mechanism of strong ground pressure behaviour(SGPB)induced by high-position hard roof(HHR).Based on the supporting structures model of HHR,a modified voussoir beam mechanical model for HHR was established by considering the gangue support coefficient,through which the modified expressions of limit breaking span and breaking energy of HHR were deduced.Combined with the relationship between the dynamic-static loading stress of supporting body(hydraulic support and coal wall)and its comprehensive supporting strength,the criteria of ground pressure behaviour(GPB)induced by HHR were discussed.The types of Ⅰ_(1),Ⅰ_(2),Ⅱ_(1),andⅡ_(2) of GPB were interpreted.Results showed that types Ⅰ_(1) and Ⅰ_(2) were the main forms of SGPB in extra-thick coal seam mining.The main manifestation of SGPB was static stress,which was mainly derived from the instability of HHR rather than fracture.Accordingly,an innovative control technology was proposed,which can weaken static load by vertical-well separated fracturing HHR.The research results have been successfully applied to the 8101 working face in Tashan coal mine,Shanxi Province,China.The results of a digital borehole camera observation and stress monitoring proved the rationality of the GPB criteria.The control technology was successful,paving the way for new possibilities to HHR control for safety mining.

Neural Network Based Terminal Sliding Mode Control for WMRs Affected by an Augmented Ground Friction With Slippage Effect

Wheeled mobile robots(WMRs) encounter unavoidable slippage especially on the low adhesion terrain such that the robots stability and accuracy are reduced greatly.To overcome this drawback,this article presents a neural network(NN) based terminal sliding mode control(TSMC) for WMRs where an augmented ground friction model is reported by which the uncertain friction can be estimated and compensated according to the required performance.In contrast to the existing friction models,the developed augmented ground friction model corresponds to actual fact because not only the effects associated with the mobile platform velocity but also the slippage related to the wheel slip rate are concerned simultaneously.Besides,the presented control approach can combine the merits of both TSMC and radial basis function(RBF) neural networks techniques,thereby providing numerous excellent performances for the closed-loop system,such as finite time convergence and faster friction estimation property.Simulation results validate the proposed friction model and robustness of controller;these research results will improve the autonomy and intelligence of WMRs,particularly when the mobile platform suffers from the sophisticated unstructured environment.

Geotechnical characterization of red shale and its indication for ground control in deep underground mining

Geotechnical properties of red shale encountered in deep underground mining were characterized on both laboratory and field scale to reveal its unfavorably in geoenvironment.Its constituents,microstructure,strength properties and water-weakening properties were investigated.In situ stress environment and mining-induced fractured damage zone after excavation were studied to reveal the instability mechanism.The results show that red shale contains swelling and loose clayey minerals as interstitial filling material,producing low shear strength of microstructure and making it vulnerable to water.Macroscopically,a U-shaped curve of uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)exists with the increase of the angle between macro weakness plane and the horizon.However,its tensile strength reduced monotonically with this angle.While immersed in water for72h,its UCS reduced by91.9%comparing to the natural state.Field sonic tests reveal that an asymmetrical geometrical profile of fractured damage zone of gateroad was identified due to geological bedding plane and detailed gateroad layout with regards to the direction of major principle stress.Therefore,red shale is a kind of engineering soft rock.For ground control in underground mining or similar applications,water inflow within several hours of excavation must strictly be prevented and energy adsorbing rock bolt is recommended,especially in large deformation part of gateroad.

Controlling mine pressure by subjecting high-level hard rock strata to ground fracturing

When mining extra-thick coal seams,the main cause of strong ground pressure are the high-level thick and hard strata,but as yet there is no active and effective control technology.This paper proposes the method of subjecting hard roofs to ground fracturing,and physical simulation is used to study the control effect of ground fracturing on the strata structure and energy release.The results show that ground fracturing changes the structural characteristics of the strata and reduces the energy release intensity and the spatial extent of overburden movement,thereby exerting significant control on the ground pressure.The Datong mining area in China is selected as the engineering background.An engineering test was conducted on site by ground horizontal well fracturing,and a 20-m-thick hard rock layer located 110 m vertically above the coal seam was targeted as the fracturing layer.On-site microseismic monitoring shows that the crack propagation length is up to 216 m and the height is up to 50 m.On-site mine pressure monitoring shows that(1)the roadway deformation is reduced to 100 mm,(2)the periodic weighting characteristics of the hydraulic supports are not obvious,and(3)the ground pressure in the working face is controlled significantly,thereby showing that the ground fracturing is successful.Ground fracturing changed the breaking characteristics of the high-level hard strata,thereby helping to ameliorate the stress concentration in the stope and providing an effective control approach for hard rock.

Analysis of Design Directions for Ground Control Station (GCS)

This study is a preparation phase for integrated visualization of battlefield situation. To develop the ground control station for unmanned systems, many factors have to be considered from the design stages, such as layout, information component, representation scheme, and human operation methods. Considering such many factors can be very difficult, hence we conducted an in-depth investigation of design factors from major UAV stations around the world. We analyzed the design characteristics and the specifics. In conclusion, we were able to derive some common aspects of design characteristics, which lead to the successful design approach.

Analysis of Interface and Screen for Ground Control System

This study is a preparation phase for visualization of utilized information using ergonomic user interface and standardization of elements for GCS (Ground Control System). Therefore, we investigated the instances of GCS (such as hawk and patriot missile’s GCS) for defense system. Based on the collected data, we compared and analyzed the GCS screen design. In this paper, we conduct case study for ergonomically development of GCS. It is expected that this research improves the situational awareness and reduces the user’s task load.

An operational approach to ground control in deep mines

As mines go deeper and get larger,mine designs become more fragile largely due to the response of the rock mass to mining.Ground control and rock support become important levers in the mine construction schedule,production performance,and excavation health.For example,in cave mines,the production footprint together with associated mine infrastructure are significant investments in a modern caving operation.This investment must be protected and maintained to reduce the risk of ground-related production disruptions.It is necessary to preserve the health of these excavations and their maintenance through an effective rock support design.Rock support thus becomes a strategic element in asset management.This article focuses on support design for brittle ground when displacements induced by stress-fracturing consume much of the support’s capacity.It deals with the functionality of the support in deforming ground.Several interlinked concepts are important when assessing excavation health.Designs must not only account for load equilibrium but also for deformation compatibility and capacity consumption.Most importantly,the support’s displacement capacity is being consumed when the rock mass is deformed after support installation.Hence,it is necessary to design for the support capacity remaining at the time when the support is needed.If support capacity can be consumed,it can also be restored by means of preventive support maintenance(PSM).This concept for cost-effective ground control is introduced and illustrated on operational evidence.Furthermore,how design can impact construction costs and schedule are discussed.Support is installed to provide a safe environment and preserve an operationally functional excavation.It also must assure senior management that investments in high quality support and its maintenance will substantially reduce delays and with it,costs.It is demonstrated that the use of‘gabion-like’support systems can achieve these goals.A technical summary of the‘gabion panel’support system design is presented.

Studies on Composting Spent Coffee Grounds by <i>Aspergillus sp</i>and <i>Aspergillus sp</i>in Aerobic Static Batch Temperature Control

Spent Coffee Ground (SCG) is characterized by high organic content, in the form of insoluble polysaccharides bound and phenol compounds. Phenol compounds are toxic to nature and are a cause of environmental pollution. Composting method of this study is aerobic static batch composting with temperature control with adding activators of some fungi such as Aspergillus sp, and Penicillium sp. The purpose of the research is to fill the research gap from previous studies of spent coffee grounds compost, which requires a long time in composting, so that if it is used directly on the soil and plants, the positive effect also requires a long time. The result of composting for 28 days with this method is that mature compost has black crumb and normal pH, with characteristics of C/N ratio below 10: C1 (7.06), C2 (6.99). This value is far from the control with a C/N ratio of 8.33. Decompose rate of macromolecule are above 40% for lignin and 70% for cellulose. Implementation of compost in radish plants, resulting Germination Index above 80% which indicates that the compost is ripe: control (92.39%), C1 (183.88%), C2 (191.86%). The results of the analysis with FTIR also showed that the compost was mature and stable, and rich in minerals. So, it can be concluded that this composting method can speed up composting time and optimize the results of compost produced.