Monitoring and simulation of sidewall fracturing in coal mines

The strata surrounding coal bord and pillar workings, and in particular stress induced fractures in the coal pillars, were investigated. The underground measurements of the extent of fracturing and of in-situ stresses formed the basis for numerical simulations, using a Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model. By back-analysis, cohesion values of the coal seam between 1,5 and 4,5 MPa were calculated. The model established, proved to be a useful tool in predicting and comparing coal pillar behaviour under various conditions, such as depth of seam and different pillar sizes.

• INTRODUCTION

• MOHR-COULOMB CONSTITUTIVE MODEL

• BACK ANALYSIS OF INPUT-PROPERTIES USING FLAC

• CONFIRMATION BASED ON THREE-DIMENSIONAL SIMULATIONS

• APPLICATIONS

• DISCUSSION OF FINDING

• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• REFERENCES