Perpendicular Stabilizing Members for Coal Mine Roof Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
In coal mining, maintaining the structural integrity of subterranean mine roofs is challenging due to pressure from surrounding rock formations, especially in weak or water-saturated formations, making it difficult to remove support structures like hydraulic jacks safely and efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using directionally-drilled stabilizing members, such as cables or sacrificial tooling, are installed in a perpendicular configuration above the mine roof to distribute the weight of the rock formation, allowing the roof to support only its own weight and enabling the safe removal of support structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic jacks are used to support the roof during longwall mining, then roof stability is improved, but removal of support structures becomes difficult and dangerous in weak or water-saturated formations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary stabilization by installing the stabilizing member system before removing hydraulic supports. The stabilizing members are installed in boreholes through the roof, and grout is injected to secure them in place before the hydraulic supports are removed, ensuring the roof is already stabilized prior to support removal
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing members act as an intermediary between the roof and the surrounding rock formation. These members transfer and distribute the roof load to the surrounding rock through grout-secured boreholes, providing a intermediate support mechanism that enables safe removal of hydraulic supports in weak formations
2Reliability
If hydraulic jacks are moved closer to the longwall face to maintain stability, then roof support effectiveness is improved, but the unsupported portion of the roof is allowed to cave-in creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing members are installed in advance before mining operations proceed, creating a preliminary support network that allows the roof to be stabilized before areas are allowed to cave. This preliminary stabilization prevents unpredictable cave-ins while maintaining mining progress
3Reliability
If multiple sets of stabilizing members are installed at different elevations in perpendicular configurations, then weight distribution of the rock formation is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by installing stabilizing members at specific elevations and locations based on the local roof conditions and stress distribution. Different sets of stabilizing members are positioned at different heights and orientations to address specific local stability requirements, optimizing weight distribution for each area
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-plane support configuration to a three-dimensional network by installing stabilizing members at multiple elevations and in perpendicular orientations. This multi-dimensional arrangement distributes roof loads more effectively through vertical and horizontal components working together
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a system for supporting a roof of a portion of a mine. The system includes a first plurality of stabilizing members disposed above the roof at a first elevation. The first plurality of stabilizing members originate from a first common location and terminate at a second elevation that is higher than the first elevation. The system further includes a second plurality of stabilizing members disposed above the roof and the first plurality of stabilizing members at a third elevation. The second plurality of stabilizing members originate from a second common location and terminate at a fourth elevation that is higher than the third elevation. The second plurality of stabilizing members are disposed generally perpendicular to the first plurality of stabilizing members.