Failure Analysis of Abutment-Loaded Underground Coal Mine Stoppings during Explosion
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 24, Issue 6
Abstract
Underground mine structures like mine seals or built-in-place (BIP) refuge alternatives (RA) are exposed to specific loadings like explosions because of overlying and underlying strata conditions. Previous studies worked on the vertical loading response of structures like abutments from panel extraction but not the explosion resistance upon being subjected to these vertical strata loads. In this study, two steel-reinforced concrete wall designs as seal and RA applications are simulated to examine the performance and failure analysis under abutment-loading conditions during an explosion for a coal mine model using dynamic analysis by a distinct element code (3DEC). The available abutment monitoring data by longwall stoppings was used to estimate the abutment-loading conditions. The model setup was calibrated through two validation stages: (1) the concrete wall simulation with the explosion test of steel-reinforced concrete mine seal conducted by previous researchers; and (2) the stress change at the strata by the tailgate convergence-abutment-load multiplier curve. The calibrated models are subjected to various dynamic loadings to simulate explosions. The findings demonstrate that, in addition to magnitude, the pressure versus time mode of loading significantly influences the wall response. Instantaneous loading criteria can provide more cautious measurements to assess how well such walls operate in similar situations. Except for a few cases, the deformations after a single explosion are more pronounced for the effects of subsequent second and third explosions. As a result, the changes in deformation during subsequent explosions are relatively minor compared with the initial permanent deflections.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, or codes that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), CDC-NIOSH BAA 75D301-20-R-67922, for financial support.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 24 • Issue 6 • June 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 4, 2023
Accepted: Dec 14, 2023
Published online: Mar 29, 2024
Published in print: Jun 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Aug 29, 2024
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