Optimal Support Spacing for Steel Sets: Omerler Underground Coal Mine in Western Turkey
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 18, Issue 2
Abstract
This paper presents a method to determine the optimal set spacing for rigid-type galvanized I profile (GI) and Toussaint-Heintzmann (TH)–type yielding steel sets in Section A of the Omerler underground coal mine. The rock mass rating (RMR) and geological strength index (GSI) were determined by using field data and the measured mechanical properties of intact rock samples. The support pressure was calculated using the convergence–confinement method, and the support-capacity curves were plotted for a range of set spacing values. The intersection of the support-pressure and support-capacity curves was identified as the minimum set spacing that can provide stability in the roadways. A study to determine the optimal and most cost-effective designs was conducted for hanging wall, footwall, and coal sections, and these designs were verified using FEM software. According to the FEM results, applying the GI 120 profile to the set spacing decreases the deformations around the roadways for all hanging wall, footwall, and coal sections. In contrast, TH 34–type yielding steel sets will only work for coal sections because of the low deformation rates of hanging wall and footwall.
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Acknowledgments
The article was prepared based on research conducted within the research project titled “Roof control—Support design and mine fires in Omerler underground coal mine,” which was funded by TKI.
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 18 • Issue 2 • February 2018
Copyright
© 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 25, 2016
Accepted: Sep 6, 2017
Published online: Dec 13, 2017
Published in print: Feb 1, 2018
Discussion open until: May 13, 2018
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