Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
Search
            ×
                        Mining
                        Mining
                            NIOSH
                            All CDC
                    Submit
                For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
                Advanced Search
            Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)





Mining Publication: Load Capacity and Stiffness Characteristics of Screen Materials Used for Surface Control in Underground Coal Mines
Keywords: Bearing plates Roof falls Roof screen Strength of materials
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Original creation date: August 2006
Authors: DR Dolinar
Conference Paper - August 2006
Download PDF Document (0.83 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20030808
Proceedings of 25th International Conference on Ground Control in Mining, August 1-3, 2006, Morgantown, West Virginia. Peng SS, Mark C, Finfinger G, Tadolini S, Khair AW, Heasley K, Luo Y, eds., Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University, 2006 Aug; :152-158
Screen material in the form of welded wire mesh and geogrids are used in underground coal mines to prevent the fall of small pieces of rock from the roof between roof bolts. Further, if the screen is installed during the production cycle, roof fall injuries can be reduced significantly. Therefore, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), because of the safety implications, conducted an evaluation of screen materials commonly used in U.S. coal mines to determine their support characteristics and identify the parameters that could affect their performance with respect to controlling the fall of rock from the roof surface. To evaluate the load and stiffness characteristics of the screen, a test frame was designed and installed in the Mine Roof Simulator (MRS) at the NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL). With this test set up, the screen is bolted at four corners of the frame and a center load is applied. The test set up allows for up to 20 in of screen deflection while the load and screen defection are continuously recorded. A series of tests were conducted to evaluate the effects of various parameters such as bolt tension, the type of load bearing surface and the size of bearing plates on welded screen performance. The most common screen material used in U. S. coal mines is an 8-gauge wire welded in a 4-by-4-in spacing or aperture. The peak screen load was normally limited by wire breakage. The conditions at the bearing plate influence the nature of the wire breakage. However, the screen stiffness was controlled by slippage at the bearing plates, and by weld and wire failure. The size of the bearing plate had a significant effect on the performance of the welded screen. Therefore, the design capacity of the 8-gauge screen is evaluated based on plate size. For a 6-by-6-in bearing plate the average peak load is 2,900 lb with a stiffness of 250 lb/in. For an 8-by-8-in bearing plate, the average peak load is 4,500 lb with a stiffness of 430 lb/in. These test results are based on a 4-by-4-ft bolt spacing. A geogrid mesh was also tested.
Image of publication Load Capacity and Stiffness Characteristics of Screen Materials Used for Surface Control in Underground Coal MinesConference Paper - August 2006
Download PDF Document (0.83 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20030808
Proceedings of 25th International Conference on Ground Control in Mining, August 1-3, 2006, Morgantown, West Virginia. Peng SS, Mark C, Finfinger G, Tadolini S, Khair AW, Heasley K, Luo Y, eds., Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University, 2006 Aug; :152-158
See Also
Best Practices and Bolting Machine Innovations for Roof Screening
External L5-S1 Joint Moments When Lifting Wire Mesh Screen Used to Prevent Rock Falls in Underground Mines
Make it Safer with Roof Screen
Optimizing Secondary Roof Support with the NIOSH Support Technology Optimization Program (STOP)
Performance Characteristics for Welded Wire Screen Used for Surface Control in Underground Coal Mines
Potential of Roof Screening to Reduce Workers' Compensation Cost
Reduced Workers� Compensation Costs With Roof Screening
Roof Screening: Best Practices and Roof Bolting Machines
Technology News 483 - Safety Training Tools for Rock Scaling Personnel
Technology News 508 - NIOSH Releases New Safety Video: Make It Safer With Roof Screen
Page last reviewed: September 21, 2012
Page last updated: September 21, 2012
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate Mining
        Site BrowserSafety and Health TopicsData & StatisticsMethodologyMine DisastersMSHA Data FilesMine & Mineworker ChartsTools & PublicationsTools You Can UsePublicationsNews & ArticlesResearch ProgramNORA Mining CouncilStrategic PlanMining Program, 2019-2023Miner Health Program, 2020-2030ProjectsContractsFunding OpportunitiesMining LinksAbout UsContact NIOSH MiningEmploymentFacilitiesHistoryVisitor Information NIOSH Homepage
 NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue