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: Numerical Modeling for Increased Understanding of the Behavior and Performance of Coal Mine Stoppings
Keywords: Coal mining Numerical modeling Support design and selection
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Original creation date: August 2004
Authors: LM Burke, AT Iannacchione, TM Barczak, EC Westman
Conference Paper - August 2004
Download PDF Document (0.20 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20025352
In: Peng SS, Mark C, Finfinger GL, Tadolini SC, Heasley KA, Khair AW, eds. Proceedings of the 23rd International Conference on Ground Control in Mining (August 3-5, 2004). Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University, 2004; :112-118
In underground coal mines, concrete block stoppings are widely used to control mine ventilation. Although stoppings are not intended as roof support, they are subjected to roof-to-floor convergence and may fail as a result of this loading. Premature failure of stoppings can significantly affect mine ventilation, limiting the amount of fresh air reaching the working faces and increasing the risk for methane explosions. Softening materials are often used in stoppings to reduce the damaging effects of roof-to-floor convergence. However, research to date has not focused on the behavior of stopping construction materials subjected to roof or floor loading, leaving the design process to trial and error. A combination of numerical simulations and large-scale physical tests were used to develop a scientific understanding of stopping performance. The first series of physical models was constructed using standard concrete masonry unit blocks and tested in a load frame. The behavior of these walls was simulated with a distinct-element model. A key finding was that very small variations in block size and irregularities in block shape significantly affect wall performance. These variations, which are inherent to the type of blocks typically used underground, create stress concentrations that initiate the failure of stopping walls. A second series of models used concrete stoppings that incorporated wood planks, a shredded wood material, and foam planks like those commonly used underground. Numerical models were again able to match the physical test data. Analysis of the softening layers used in stopping construction indicated that the strength and stiffness of the material relative to that of the wall is crucial in determining the amount of roof-to-floor convergence that the wall can withstand prior to failure. The product of this study is a numerical model that can be used to evaluate the performance of stopping materials and different wall geometries in a controlled environment. Testing was done in a lab setting with walls constructed on flat, parallel surfaces and subjected to uniform loading at a constant rate. Parametric studies with the model indicate that in this ideal environment it is possible to control the amount of vertical displacement that the stopping can withstand by adjusting the number of softening layers built into the wall and the thickness of the layers. In addition, under these conditions, the position of softening layers within the wall seems to have little effect on the amount of displacement that walls can withstand prior to failure.
Image of publication Numerical Modeling for Increased Understanding of the Behavior and Performance of Coal Mine StoppingsConference Paper - August 2004
Download PDF Document (0.20 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20025352
In: Peng SS, Mark C, Finfinger GL, Tadolini SC, Heasley KA, Khair AW, eds. Proceedings of the 23rd International Conference on Ground Control in Mining (August 3-5, 2004). Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University, 2004; :112-118
See Also
Coal Bumps and Odd Dynamic Phenomena - A Numerical Investigation
Development of Guidelines for the Design of Support Systems to Manage Coal Mine Rib Hazards
Diagnosing and Controlling Moisture-Sensitive Roof in Coal Mines
Effect of Longwall Face Advance on Spontaneous Heating in Longwall Gob Areas
Elastic and Shear Moduli of Coal Measure Rocks Derived from Basic Well Logs Using Fractal Statistics and Radial Basis Functions
Numerical Modeling Procedures for Practical Coal Mine Design
Performance Characteristics for Welded Wire Screen Used for Surface Control in Underground Coal Mines
Propagation of UHF Radio Waves in Limestone Room and Pillar Mines
Stochastic Modeling of Gob Gas Venthole Production Performances in Active and Completed Longwall Panels of Coal Mines
Support Design Procedures for Difficult Ground Conditions
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