Flexible Grid Support Pillar for Mine Roof Waste Rock Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In underground mining, especially for non-ferrous metal ores and chemical raw materials, existing methods fail to efficiently minimize raw material loss and manage waste rock effectively, particularly in small-thickness seams or pseudo-seams where clean deposit removal is challenging and waste rock needs to be ripped from the roof or floor.
Innovation Solution
An artificial inter-room pillar constructed from a flexible spatial structure made of polymer grids, comprising sidewalls and a closing sidewall suspended by rock bolts with additional fastening elements, filled with waste rock to reduce material loss and manage in situ waste rock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If traditional room and pillar mining methods are used, then raw material loss is minimized through clean deposit removal, but waste rock management becomes problematic in small-thickness seams where waste rock must be ripped from roof or floor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts waste rock, which is normally a harmful byproduct requiring removal, into a beneficial backfill material. The flexible container is filled with waste rock ripped from the roof or floor during mining operations, transforming this problematic material into useful support structure that minimizes raw material loss while managing waste rock in situ.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible container acts as an intermediary between the waste rock and the mine void. It receives waste rock material and transforms it into a contained backfill structure that can be precisely placed and positioned, mediating between the raw waste material and the final support function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If inter-room pillars are removed to residual dimensions, then transition to post-destruction characteristics is facilitated, but structural support capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a flexible container made of textile material or plastic film to create a lightweight yet effective support structure. This flexible shell encloses the waste rock backfill, providing structural support capability while maintaining adaptability for removal and transition to post-destruction characteristics when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The artificial pillar combines the flexible container material with the waste rock fill to create a composite support structure. The combination of flexible membrane and rigid waste rock particles provides both structural integrity and the desired adaptability for future removal.
3Strength
If artificial pillars are constructed using rigid structures, then structural support capability is improved, but ease of removal and transition to post-destruction characteristics is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a dynamic support structure where the flexible container can be easily deformed and removed after serving its support function. The flexible material allows the pillar to adapt during operation and facilitates easy removal when transition to post-destruction characteristics is required, unlike rigid structures that would be difficult to remove.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The subject matter of the invention relates to an artificial pillar, especially an inter-room pillar, formed of a spatial structure filled with waste rock, which is applicable in underground mining, especially in mines of non-ferrous metal ores and chemical raw materials. The spatial structure is made of flexible grid and comprises sidewalls (6, 7, 8) and a closing sidewall (9) and a bottom (5) resting on the floor (2), whereas at the top the sidewalls (6, 7, 8) and the closing sidewall (9) are suspended to the roof (1) by rock bolts (10, 11, 12, 13), wherein the rock bolts (12, 13) suspending the closing sidewall (9) are equipped with additional fastening elements (14) .