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Mining Publication: Correlation of Sonic Travel Time to the Uniaxial Compressive Strength of U.S. Coal Measure Rocks
Keywords: Boreholes In situ rock strength measurement Uniaxial compressive tests
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Original creation date: July 2008
Authors: DC Oyler, C Mark, GM Molinda
Conference Paper - July 2008
Download PDF Document (0.58 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20034274
Proceedings of the 27th International Conference on Ground Control in Mining, July 29 - July 31, 2008, Morgantown, West Virginia. Peng SS, Mark C, Finfinger GL, Tadolini SC, Khair AW, Heasley KA, Luo-Y, eds., Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University, 2008; :338-346
Sonic travel time logging of exploration boreholes is routinely used in Australia to obtain estimates of coal mine roof rock strength. Because sonic velocity logs are relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain during exploration, the technique has provided Australian underground coal mines with an abundance of strength data for use in all aspects of ground control design. However, the technique depends upon reliable correlations between the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and the sonic velocity. This paper describes research recently conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) aimed at developing a correlation for use by the U.S. mining industry. At three coreholes in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and southern West Virginia, sonic velocity logs were compared with point load tests for a broad range of coal measure rock types. For the entire data set, the relationship between UCS and sonic travel time is expressed by the following equation, where UCS is in psi and t is the travel time of the P-wave in microsec/ft. UCS = 468,000 x e-0.054t. The r-squared value for this equation is 0.87, indicating that a strong correlation between sonic travel time and UCS can be achieved with this technique. The paper also addresses the steps that are necessary to ensure that high-quality sonic logs are obtained for use in estimating UCS.
Image of publication Correlation of Sonic Travel Time to the Uniaxial Compressive Strength of U.S. Coal Measure RocksConference Paper - July 2008
Download PDF Document (0.58 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20034274
Proceedings of the 27th International Conference on Ground Control in Mining, July 29 - July 31, 2008, Morgantown, West Virginia. Peng SS, Mark C, Finfinger GL, Tadolini SC, Khair AW, Heasley KA, Luo-Y, eds., Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University, 2008; :338-346
See Also
Cableless Electronic Surveying Systems for Horizontal Holes
Coal Mine Methane: A Review of Capture and Utilization Practices with Benefits to Mining Safety and to Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Comparison of Rotary and In-Hole Motor Techniques for Drilling Horizontal Boreholes in Coal
Demonstration of Remote Mine Seal Construction
Detecting Strata Fracturing and Roof Failures from a Borehole Based Microseismic System
Effects of Stimulation Treatments on Coalbeds and Surrounding Strata: Evidence from Underground Observations
In Situ Estimation of Roof Rock Strength using Sonic Logging
Removing Methane (Degasification) from the Pocahontas No. 4 Coalbed in Southern West Virginia
Spatial Trends in Rock Strength - Can They Be Determined From Coreholes?
Use of Vertical Boreholes for Assisting Ventilation of Longwall Gob Areas
Page last reviewed: September 21, 2012
Page last updated: September 21, 2012
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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