Abstract
This study presents a model based on rock engineering systems (RES) to evaluate the risk of roof falls and determine damaged regions, using recorded roof falls, prior to mining with a retreat from a longwall face. In this regard, a case study was considered to examine the model. The results showed that the level of determined risk has an acceptable correlation with the special roof fall (SRF), with R-squared value (R2) equal to 0.792 for all estimated vulnerability indexes (VIs) in considered longwall panels. By investigating and comparing the evaluated values of VI in considered panels and their corresponding recorded roof falls, damaged regions were distinguished from undamaged regions. Based on these investigations, four classes including safe, moderate, danger, and critical regions were determined to identify the safe and damaged regions prior to mining operations. The results of the research showed that the identification of damaged regions is feasible to provide a detailed operation plan to control roof falls in longwall mining faces through the developed approach. The RES-based model could be used for the same conditions and the presented methodology could be applied to other parts in underground coal mines.
Highlights
Coal mining by the underground method has been always one of the most dangerous mining methods, with the highest rate of injuries, fatalities, and damages
The presented model was examined on the considered case study and its results are discussed
The obtained results from testing the rock engineering systems (RES)-based model on the considered case study showed that there is an acceptable correlation between the value of the determined risk and special roof fall (SRF)
Summary
Coal mining by the underground method has been always one of the most dangerous mining methods, with the highest rate of injuries, fatalities, and damages. Working faces in underground coal mines, especially longwall faces, requires continuous advancing and the avoidance of stoppages since interruptions in progress could cause roof falls. Roof falls are the most critical cause of damages in underground coal mines. Presentation and development of a method to identify and control roof falls is always a priority. The third dimension is the length of a fall that is specified along the face line
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