Influence of geotechnical factors on gas flow experienced in a UK longwall coal mine panel

Methane drainage has become an integral part of modern coal mining operations when gas emissions cannot be practically dealt with using conventional ventilation methods alone. Boreholes are often drilled above and below the caving zone and connected to a drainage range located along the return gate. This paper describes the construction and analysis of the results obtained from the two- and three- dimensional geomechanical and gas flow models experienced around an active deep UK longwall coal production panel. The models constructed using the commercial FLAC codes were undertaken to provide information to the ventilation engineers at the mine on the likely gas sources and gas flow paths into the face line areas and gate roads. This information allows for the correct design of the orientation, length and support of the boreholes to maximise gas capture. The paper describes the method adopted to derive the relevant rock mass parameters and the laboratory tests conducted to obtain the stress-dependent permeability of coal measure rock strata. A functional relationship is proposed whereby the intrinsic bulk permeability of a sheared coal measure rock may be predicted from the confining stress. A detailed discussion of the geomechanical modelling methodology and the derivation of the strata permeabilities and gas flow modelling adopted is presented. The output of the models is described and used to interpret the major potential gas sources and pathway into the workings.     

Integrating tools for longwall geomechanics assessment

Issues associated with longwall geomechanics are complex and any approach that attempts to characterise or design for it needs to account for this complexity. Operating mines have requirements for the safety of their workforce and for production continuity. Incorrect characterisation of longwall geomechanics is a significant risk to both of these core objectives. A multi-path approach in which there is corroboration and cross checking of outcomes during design and characterisation is required to reduce this risk. Single method approaches for issues, such as longwall geometry or face strata control management plans, have no place in this environment.Over the past 6 years, the CSIRO has conducted research into longwall geomechanics at 13 sites both for assessment of potential issues and to establish causal factors of site problems that have occurred. A variety of assessment tools have been used in these case studies including microseismic monitoring, numerical stress deformation modelling, various underground monitoring methods and 3D visualisation.Whilst the reporting of these studies has concentrated on geomechanics issues, both the development of the assessment tools and their use in combination are also important topics. Often the results of these studies have been unexpected and new insights have only been gained and validated with consideration of results from several independent assessment tools. This consideration is also worth discussion as it has its basis in formal problem analyses tools.Using the case studies as a background and canvas, this paper concentrates on the use and status of these assessment tools and their required future development.     

Estimating the geotechnical properties of heterogeneous rock masses such as flysch

The design of tunnels and slopes in heterogeneous rock masses such as flysch presents a major challenge to geologists and engineers. The complex structure of these materials, resulting from their depositional and tectonic history, means that they cannot easily be classified in terms of widely used rock mass classification systems. A methodology for estimating the Geological Strength Index and the rock mass properties for these geological formations is presented in this paper. Electronic Publication     

Classification and assessment of rock mass parameters in Choghart iron mine using P-wave velocity

Engineering rock mass classification,based on empirical relations between rock mass parameters and engineering applications,is commonly used in rock engineering and forms the basis for designing rock structures.The basic data required may be obtained from visual observation and laboratory or field tests.However,owing to the discontinuous and variable nature of rock masses,it is difficult for rock engineers to directly obtain the specific design parameters needed.As an alternative,the use of geophysical methods in geomechanics such as seismography may largely address this problem.In this study,25 seismic profiles with the total length of 543 m have been scanned to determine the geomechanical properties of the rock mass in blocks Ⅰ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ-2 of the Choghart iron mine.Moreover,rock joint measurements and sampling for laboratory tests were conducted.The results show that the rock mass rating(RMR) and Q values have a close relation with P-wave velocity parameters,including P-wave velocity in field(V_(PF)).P-wave velocity in the laboratory(V_(PL)) and the ratio of V_(PF) V_(PL)(i.e.K_p = V_(PF)/V_(PL).However,Q value,totally,has greater correlation coefficient and less error than the RMR,In addition,rock mass parameters including rock quality designation(RQD),uniaxial compressive strength(UCS),joint roughness coefficient(JRC) and Schmidt number(RN) show close relationship with P-wave velocity.An equation based on these parameters was obtained to estimate the P-wave velocity in the rock mass with a correlation coefficient of 91%.The velocities in two orthogonal directions and the results of joint study show that the wave velocity anisotropy in rock mass may be used as an efficient tool to assess the strong and weak directions in rock mass.     

Applying rock mass classifications to carbonate rocks for engineering purposes with a new approach using the rock engineering system

Classical rock mass classification systems are not applicable to carbonate rocks, especially when these are affected by karst processes. Their applications to such settings could therefore result in outcomes not representative of the real stress–strain behavior. In this study, we propose a new classification of carbonate rock masses for engineering purposes, by adapting the rock engineering system (RES) method by Hudson for fractured and karstified rock masses, in order to highlight the problems of implementation of geomechanical models to carbonate rocks. This new approach allows a less rigid classification for carbonate rock masses, taking into account the local properties of the outcrops, the site conditions and the type of engineering work as well.     

Fuzzy models for analysis of rock mass displacements due to underground mining in mountainous areas

The displacement and deformations of rock mass due to underground mining has often resulted in major disasters throughout the world, frequently inflicting heavy losses of life and damage to property. And these disasters have motivated the development of rock mass mechanics. The prediction of displacement of rock mass and their surface effects is an important problem of the rock mass mechanics in the excavation activities especially the coal and metal mining in mountainous areas. Based on results of the statistical analysis of a large amount of measured data in mining engineering, the fundamental fuzzy model of displacements and deformations of rock mass is established by using the theory of fuzzy probability measures. The theories of both two- and three-dimensional problems are developed and applied to the analysis of engineering problems in excavation and underground mining in mountainous areas. The agreement of the theoretical results with the field measurements shows that our model is satisfactory and the formulae obtained are valid and thus can be effectively used for predicting the displacements and deformations and the safety evaluation of the buildings on the ground.     

Applicability of the geological strength index (GSI) classification for very weak and sheared rock masses. The case of the Athens Schist Formation

 The Athens Schist Formation includes a wide variety of metasedimentary rocks, varying from strong or medium strong rocks such as sericite metasandstone, limestone, greywacke, sericite schist through to weak rocks such as metasiltstone, clayey and silty shale and phyllite. The overall rock mass is highly heterogeneous and anisotropic owing to the combined effect of advanced weathering and severe tectonic stressing that gave rise to intense folding and shearing followed by extensional faulting, which resulted in highly weathered rock masses and numerous shear and/or mylonite zones with distinct downgraded engineering properties. This paper is focused on the applicability of the GSI classification system to these highly heterogeneous rock masses and proposes an extension of the GSI system to account for the foliated or laminated weak rocks in the lower range of its applicability. Received: 5 March 1998 · Accepted: 13 July 1998     

A specific upscaling theory of rock mass parameters exhibiting spatial variability: Analytical relations and computational scheme

In this paper the representation of geological conditions in a numerical simulation model is considered. By the expression “geological conditions” we mean the 3D volume geometry of the geological formations, the spatial variability exhibited by the rock parameters inside each of these geological volumes and the necessary upscaling of the rock deformability and strength parameters that are determined in the laboratory from cores collected in the field. A specific theory is outlined of how to go from laboratory tests, geological information and field measurements and observations to the full-scale numerical or “ground model” that includes, apart from initial and boundary conditions and ground water, the rock constitutive laws and associated material parameters for use in simulation models. The term “specific” used in the title of this paper stems from the fact that other possible approaches for the same problem may be applied; i.e. empirical rock mass classification systems, explicit modeling of joints in the rock by the distinct element or finite element methods, homogenization techniques, etc. The method used to take into account the spatial variability of rock mass properties by virtue of Geostatistical Theory and 3D modeling tools is also outlined, with an example case study.     

A method to determine relevant geomechanical parameters for evaluating the hydraulic erodibility of rock

Among the methods used for evaluating the potential hydraulic erodibility of rock,the most common methods are those based on the correlation between the force of flowing water and the capacity of a rock to resist erosion,such as Annandale's and Pells' methods.The capacity of a rock to resist erosion is evaluated based on erodibility indices that are determined from specific geomechanical parameters of a rock mass.These indices include unconfined compressive strength(UCS) of rock,rock block size,joint shear strength,a block's shape and orientation relative to the direction of flow,joint openings,and the nature of the surface to be potentially eroded.However,it is difficult to determine the relevant geomechanical parameters for evaluating the hydraulic erodibility of rock.The assessment of eroded unlined spillways of dams has shown that the capacity of a rock to resist erosion is not accurately evaluated.Using more than 100 case studies,we develop a method to determine the relevant geomechanical parameters for evaluating the hydraulic erodibility of rock in unlined spillways.The UCS of rock is found not to be a relevant parameter for evaluating the hydraulic erodibility of rock.On the other hand,we find that the use of three-dimensional(3 D) block volume measurements,instead of the block size factor used in Annandale's method,improves the rock block size estimation.Furthermore,the parameter representing the effect of a rock block's shape and orientation relative to the direction of flow,as considered in Pells' method,is more accurate than the parameter adopted by Annandale's method.     

Modified Kuz—Ram fragmentation model and its use at the Sungun Copper Mine

Rock fragmentation, which is the fragment size distribution of blasted rock, is one of the most important indices for estimating the effectiveness of blast work. In this paper a new form of the Kuz—Ram model is proposed in which a prefactor of 0.073 is included in the formula for prediction of X_50. This new equation has a correlation coefficient that is greater than 0.98. In addition, a new approach is proposed to calculate the Uniformity Index, n. A Blastability Index (BI) is used to correct the calculation of the Uniformity Index of Cunningham, where BI reflects the uniformity of the distribution. Interestingly, this correction also can be observed in the Kuznetsov—Cunningham—Ouchterlony (KCO) model, which uses In situ block size as a parameter for calculating the curve-undulation in the Swebrec function. However, it is in contrast to prediction of X₅₀ as the central parameter in Swebrec and Rosin–Rammler distribution functions. The new model is a two parameter fragmentation size distribution that can be easily determined in the field. However, it does not consider the timing effect, or upper limit for sizes, as does the original Kuz—Ram model. The model is used at the Sungun Mine, and it does a good job of predicting the fines produced during blasting.     

Overhanging rock slope by design: An integrated approach using rock mass strength characterisation,large-scale numerical modelling and limit equilibrium methods

Overhanging rock slopes(steeper than 90°) are typically avoided in rock engineering design, particularly where the scale of the slope exceeds the scale of fracturing present in the rock mass. This paper highlights an integrated approach of designing overhanging rock slopes where the relative dimensions of the slope exceed the scale of fracturing and the rock mass failure needs to be considered rather than kinematic release of individual blocks. The key to the method is a simplified limit equilibrium(LE) tool that was used for the support design and analysis of a multi-faceted overhanging rock slope. The overhanging slopes required complex geometries with constantly changing orientations. The overhanging rock varied in height from 30 m to 66 m. Geomechanical modelling combined with discrete fracture network(DFN)representation of the rock mass was used to validate the rock mass strength assumptions and the failure mechanism assumed in the LE model. The advantage of the simplified LE method is that buttress and support design iterations(along with sensitivity analysis of design parameters) can be completed for various cross-sections along the proposed overhanging rock sections in an efficient manner, compared to the more time-intensive, sophisticated methods that were used for the initial validation. The method described presents the development of this design tool and assumptions made for a specific overhanging rock slope design. Other locations will have different geological conditions that can control the potential behaviour of rock slopes, however, the approach presented can be applied as a general guiding design principle for overhanging rock cut slope.     

A generic method for rock mass classification

Rock mass classification (RMC) is of critical importance in support design and applications to mining, tunneling and other underground excavations. Although a number of techniques are available, there exists an uncertainty in application to complex underground works. In the present work, a generic rock mass rating (GRMR) system is developed. The proposed GRMR system refers to as most commonly used techniques, and two rock load equations are suggested in terms of GRMR, which are based on the fact that whether all the rock parameters considered by the system have an influence or only few of them are influencing. The GRMR method has been validated with the data obtained from three underground coal mines in India. Then, a semi-empirical model is developed for the GRMR method using artificial neural network (ANN), and it is validated by a comparative analysis of ANN model results with that by analytical GRMR method.     

The correlation between RMR and Q systems in parts of Iran

One of the approaches for characterising rock masses with discontinuities due to the presence of engineered designs is to use rock mass classification. Thus far, many classification systems, including RMR, Q, and GSI, have been proposed in the literature. Their parameters are based on site investigations, such as surface/subsurface fracture studies and well coring, as well as laboratory experiments. When sufficient information is not available, the utilisation of several rock mass classification systems is useful to compile a more complete understanding of the composition and characteristics of a rock mass. Thus, many correlations have been drawn to relate different systems, especially between RMR and Q systems. In this study, the best correlation coefficient between RMR and Q systems was determined with the aim of suggesting a new potential correlation for various geotechnical activities in parts of Iran. To accomplish this aim, rock mass parameters for the RMR and Q systems were assessed by considering their values separately for more than 800 stations at 14 different sites and applying statistical procedures to the data. Finally, a new correlation was determined.