Deformation mechanism and roof pre-splitting control technology of gob-side entry in thick hard main roof full-mechanized longwall caving panel

This paper explores the deformation mechanism and control technology of roof pre-splitting for gob-side entries in hard roof full-mechanized longwall caving panel(LTCC).The investigation utilizes a comprehensive approach that integrates field monitoring,theoretical analysis,and numerical simulation.Theoretical analysis has illuminated the influence of the length of the lateral cantilever beam of the main roof(LCBM)above the roadway on the stability of the gob-side entry behind the panel.Numerical simulations have further revealed that the longer LCBM results in heightened vertical stress within the coal pillar,developed cracks around the roadway,and more pronounced damage to the roadway.Moreover,numerical simulations also demonstrate the potential of roof pre-splitting technology in optimizing the fracture position of the hard roof.This technology significantly reduces the length of the LCBM,thereby alleviating stress concentration in the coal pillars and integrated coal rib while minimizing the destruction of the gob-side entry.Therefore,this manuscript first proposes the use of roof pre-splitting technology to control roadway deformation,and automatically retain the entry within a hard roof LTCC panel.Field implementation has demonstrated that the proposed automatically retained entry by roof pre-splitting technology effectively reduces gob-side entry deformation and achieves automatically retained entry.

长壁放顶煤工作面沿空巷道的变形破坏机理

本文利用物理和数值模型研究了长壁放顶煤工作面沿空巷道的变形和破坏机理。物理模型实验表明,长壁放顶煤工作面沿空巷道的变形破坏过程可分为四个阶段:初始变形阶段Ⅰ(相邻工作面后方-47~45 m)、快速变形阶段Ⅱ(45~150 m)、变形稳定阶段Ⅲ(150~240 m)和压实稳定阶段IV(工作面后方240 m外)。值得注意的是,长壁放顶煤工作面沿空巷道围岩的大变形主要发生在快速变形阶段Ⅱ和变形稳定阶段Ⅲ。这主要是由沿空巷道上方的侧向悬臂梁结构旋转下沉过程中产生的应力集中造成的。因此,本文提出了一种创新方法,使用顶板预裂技术来优化巷道顶板结构,控制长壁放顶煤工作面沿空巷道围岩的大变形并自动留巷。数值模拟和现场应用表明,使用顶板预裂自动留巷技术后,长壁放顶煤工作面沿空巷道实体煤帮的支承压力、顶底板变形量和两帮变形量分别降低了6.49%、79.25%和60%。因此,顶板预裂自动留巷技术可以有效控制长壁放顶煤工作面沿空巷道的围岩大变形。本文所提出的长壁放顶煤工作面顶板预裂自动留巷技术可以为厚及特厚煤层综放工作面使用切顶卸压无煤柱自成巷技术提供参考。

Characterizing the influence of stress-induced microcracks on the laboratory strength and fracture development in brittle rocks using a finite-discrete element method-micro discrete fracture network FDEM-μDFN approach

Heterogeneity is an inherent component of rock and may be present in different forms including mineralheterogeneity, geometrical heterogeneity, weak grain boundaries and micro-defects. Microcracks areusually observed in crystalline rocks in two forms： natural and stress-induced; the amount of stressinducedmicrocracking increases with depth and in-situ stress. Laboratory results indicate that thephysical properties of rocks such as strength, deformability, P-wave velocity and permeability areinfluenced by increase in microcrack intensity. In this study, the finite-discrete element method （FDEM）is used to model microcrack heterogeneity by introducing into a model sample sets of microcracks usingthe proposed micro discrete fracture network （mDFN） approach. The characteristics of the microcracksrequired to create mDFN models are obtained through image analyses of thin sections of Lac du Bonnetgranite adopted from published literature. A suite of two-dimensional laboratory tests including uniaxial,triaxial compression and Brazilian tests is simulated and the results are compared with laboratory data.The FDEM-mDFN models indicate that micro-heterogeneity has a profound influence on both the mechanicalbehavior and resultant fracture pattern. An increase in the microcrack intensity leads to areduction in the strength of the sample and changes the character of the rock strength envelope. Spallingand axial splitting dominate the failure mode at low confinement while shear failure is the dominantfailure mode at high confinement. Numerical results from simulated compression tests show thatmicrocracking reduces the cohesive component of strength alone, and the frictional strength componentremains unaffected. Results from simulated Brazilian tests show that the tensile strength is influenced bythe presence of microcracks, with a reduction in tensile strength as microcrack intensity increases. Theimportance of microcrack heterogeneity in reproducing a bi-linear or S-shape failure envelope and itseffects on the mechanisms leading to spalling damage near an underground opening are also discussed.

Development of a spring analogue approach for the study of pillars and shafts

In civil and mining operations that involve ground excavation and support, the loads are distributed between the ground and support depending on their relative stiffness. This paper presents the development of conceptual single-degree-of-freedom models, which are used to derive equations for estimating displacements and stresses for ground-support interaction problems encountered in pillars in room-andpillar mining(natural support system), and liners for circular vertical shafts(artificial support systems).For pillar assessment, mine-pillar interaction curves can be constructed using a double spring analogy.Additionally, the effectiveness of different support systems can be evaluated depending on their effect upon the mine-pillar system. For shaft design, an initial estimation of the required lining strength and thickness can be readily made based on a double ring analogue. For both problems, the results from the proposed approach compare well with those obtained by finite element numerical simulations.

Modelling of blast-induced damage in tunnels using a hybrid finite-discrete numerical approach

This paper presents the application of a hybrid finite-discrete element method to study blast-induceddamage in circular tunnels. An extensive database of field tests of underground explosions above tunnelsis used for calibrating and validating the proposed numerical method; the numerical results areshown to be in good agreement with published data for large-scale physical experiments. The method isthen used to investigate the influence of rock strength properties on tunnel durability to withstand blastloads. The presented analysis considers blast damage in tunnels excavated through relatively weak（sandstone） and strong （granite） rock materials. It was found that higher rock strength will increase thetunnel resistance to the load on one hand, but decrease attenuation on the other hand. Thus, undercertain conditions, results for weak and strong rock masses are similar. 2014 Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Production and hosting byElsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Use of centrifugal-gravity concentration for rejection of talc and recovery improvement in base-metal flotation

The possibility of using a centrifugal-gravity concentrator to reject Mg-bearing minerals and minimize metal losses in the flotation of base metals was evaluated. Sample characterization, batch scoping tests, pilot-scale tests, and regrind-flotation tests were conducted on a Ni flotation tailings stream. Batch tests revealed that the Mg grade decreased dramatically in the concentrate products. Pilot-scale testing of a continuous centrifugal concentrator（Knelson CVD6） on the flotation tailings revealed that a concentrate with a low mass yield, low Mg content, and high Ni upgrade ratio could be achieved. Under optimum conditions, a concentrate at 6.7% mass yield was obtained with 0.85% Ni grade at 12.9% Ni recovery and with a low Mg distribution（1.7%）. Size partition curves demonstrated that the CVD also operated as a size classifier, enhancing the rejection of talc fines. Overall, the CVD was capable of rejecting Mg-bearing minerals. Moreover, an opportunity exists for the novel use of centrifugal-gravity concentration for scavenging flotation tailings and/or after comminution to minimize amount of Mg-bearing minerals reporting to flotation.

New approaches to quantify progressive damage and associated dynamic rock mass blockiness

In the past decade, numerical modelling has been increasingly used for simulating the mechanical behaviour of naturally fractured rock masses. In this paper, we introduce new algorithms for spatial and temporal analyses of newly generated fractures and blocks using an integrated discrete fracture network (DFN)-finite-discrete element method (FDEM) (DFN-FDEM) modelling approach. A fracture line calculator and analysis technique (i.e. discrete element method (DEM) fracture analysis, DEMFA) calculates the geometrical aspects of induced fractures using a dilation criterion. The resultant two-dimensional (2D) blocks are then identified and characterised using a graph structure. Block tracking trees allow track of newly generated blocks across timesteps and to analyse progressive breakage of these blocks into smaller blocks. Fracture statistics (number and total length of initial and induced fractures) are then related to the block forming processes to investigate damage evolution. The combination of various proposed methodologies together across various stages of modelling processes provides new insights to investigate the dependency of structure's resistance on the initial fracture configuration.

Closed-loop bulk air conditioning: A renewable energy-based system for deep mines in arctic regions

With depletion of shallow deposits,the number of underground mines expected to reach more than 3 km depth during their lifetime is growing.Although surface cooling plants are mostly effective in mine airconditioning,usually secondary cooling units are needed below 2 kmdepth.This need emerges due to the elevated thermal impacts caused by auto-compression of mine air as well as heat emissions from strata and mine machinery.As a result,in cold climates,like Canada,ultra-deep mines need their secondary underground cooling plants running year-round while the intake air must be heated to protect the sensitive machinery and liners from freezing during the winter season.To cool mine air,horizontal bulk-airconditioners with direct spray cooling systems are commonly used due to their high performance.Conventionally,sprayed water in bulk-air-coolers are mechanically circulated and refrigerated in coupled refrigeration plants.This set up can be transformed to a natural cooling/heating process by resurfacing the warm underground bulk-air-cooler spray water for mine air heating on the surface and re-sinking the chilled water for cooling in the underground bulk air coolers.This could significantly cut-down the fossil-fuel consumption in burners for mine air pre-conditioning and refrigeration cost when applicable.This paper presents an anonymous real-life example to study the feasibility of the proposed idea for an ultra-deep Canadian mine.

Rare earth elements in flotation products of coals from East Kootenay coalfields,British Columbia

With the identification of coal deposits that are enriched in rare earth elements(REEs)across the world,coal and coal by-products are considered as an alternative source for REEs due to the combined supply and demand restrictions for these elements.Studies are being conducted to recover these elements from various coal sources.In this study,coal samples from the East Kootenay coalfields in British Columbia,Canada were examined for the presence of REEs in run-of-mine coal samples and flotation products.Results reveal that on an ash basis,the concentration of REEs varies from 174 to 1038 mg/kg in the samples.To understand the REE as sociation,which is essential for extraction purposes,a three-step sequential extraction process along with a mineralogical evaluation using scanning electron microscopy(SEM)with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDX)and quantitative X-ray diffraction(XRD)data was used.It is found that a significant portion of REEs in the feed samples were reported to middling and tailings streams.The mineralogical analyses reveal REE association with aluminosilicate mineral in the samples.