Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Localization of mining-induced horizontal fractures along rock layer interfaces in overburden: field measurements and prediction

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Geology

Abstract

The locations of mining-induced horizontal fractures along rock interfaces in the overburden of Donetsk Coal Basin were identified using an original experimental device. The device traps methane from horizontal fracture zone (100–fold coal seam thickness) over an active longwall mining excavation. Presence or absence of horizontal fractures along rock layer interfaces is correlated with physical characteristics of the overburden, such as thickness, uniaxial compressive strength of overburden rock layers, location of rock layer interfaces and thickness of extracted coal seams. As a result, a combined criterion based on these physical characteristics is proposed to predict the presence of overburden horizontal fracturing in coal mine operations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Chekan G, Listak J (1993) Design practices for multiple-seam longwall mines. Information Circular 9360. US Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh PA, p 35

    Google Scholar 

  • Hasenfus GJ, Johnson KL, Su DWH (1988) A hydrogeomechanical study of overburden aquifer response to longwall mining. In: Proceedings of the 7th Conference of Ground control in mining. West Virginia University, Morgantown, pp 144–152

  • Karmis M, Triplett T, Haycocks C, Goodman G (1983) Mining subsidence and its prediction in an Appalachian coalfield. In: Proceedings of the 24th US symposium on Rock mechanics. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 665–675

  • Kendorski FS (1993) Effect of high-extraction coal mining on surface and ground waters. In: Proceedings of the 12th Conference on ground control in mining. West Virginia University, Margantown

  • Kratzsch H (1983) Mining subsidence engineering. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Palchik V (1989) Analytical and empirical prognosis of rock foliation in rock mass. J Coal Ukraine 7:45–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Palchik V (2000) Prediction of hollows in abandoned underground workings at shallow depth. Geotech Geol Eng 18(1):39–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palchik V (2002a) Influence of physical characteristics of weak rock mass on height of caved zone over abandoned subsurface coal mines. Environ Geol 42(1): 92–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palchik V (2002b) Use of Gaussian distribution for estimation of gob gas drainage well productivity. Math Geol 34(6): 743–765

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Palchik V (2003) Formation of fractured zones in overburden due to longwall mining. Environ Geol 44(1): 28–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Peng SS (1992) Surface subsidence engineering. Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Inc., Lilleton

    Google Scholar 

  • Turchaninov IA, Iofis MA, Kasparian EV (1977) Principles of rock mechanics. Nedra, Leningrad

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker BN, Reddish DJ (1989) Subsidence: occurrence, prediction and control. Elsevier Science, Barking

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

I thank the anonymous reviewer for his valuable comments which helped to improve the paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Ben–Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box. 653, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel

    V. Palchik

Authors
  1. V. Palchik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to V. Palchik.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Palchik, V. Localization of mining-induced horizontal fractures along rock layer interfaces in overburden: field measurements and prediction. Environ Geol 48, 68–80 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-005-1261-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-005-1261-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation