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Longwall Face Stability Index for Estimation of Chock-Shield Pressure and Face Convergence

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Abstract

The paper discusses the concept and methodologies for the development of longwall face stability index (LFSI). LFSI is used for estimation of chock-shield pressure and face convergence. The index comprises of engineering properties of main roof, depth of mining, different support capacities and mechanical properties of coal seam being mined and provides a numerical value in the range of −6.17 to 8.13. In this study, 324 finite element models of longwall panel are developed based on various combinations of geomining conditions of Indian coal measure strata. The LFSI is an outcome of the results from finite element models. This paper illustrates a real life example for the estimation of chock shield pressure and face convergence based on LFSI. Validation of the LFSI based calculation is carried out with the field monitored data and found that the LFSI based approach is sufficient to forecast face stability parameters at longwall face.

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Abbreviations

C :

Coal type

c:

Cohesion

D :

Depth

E m :

Modulus of elasticity of main roof

E c :

Modulus of elasticity of coal seam

FLP:

Front leg pressure

LFSI:

Longwall face stability index

MI:

Main roof index

PS:

Powered support

RFC:

Roof to floor convergence

P, q :

Index

T m :

Thickness of main roof

T c :

Thickness of coal seam

Φ:

Friction angle

Α, ζ, κ, ψ :

Slopes

Β, η, γ, Ω :

Intercepts

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the management of the case study mine for providing the necessary data and for all their cooperation to complete the project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mining Engineering, IT BHU, Varanasi, 221 005, India

    A. K. Verma

  2. Department of Mining Engineering, IIT Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721 302, India

    D. Deb

Authors
  1. A. K. Verma
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  2. D. Deb
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Correspondence to A. K. Verma.

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Verma, A.K., Deb, D. Longwall Face Stability Index for Estimation of Chock-Shield Pressure and Face Convergence. Geotech Geol Eng 28, 431–445 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-010-9303-y

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