Numerical modelling techniques for studying longwall geotechnical problems under realistic geological structures

  • Affiliations:

    Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, Hanoi, Vietnam

  • *Corresponding:
    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Received: 12th-Jan-2021
  • Revised: 23rd-Apr-2021
  • Accepted: 25th-May-2021
  • Online: 30th-June-2021
Pages: 87 - 96
Views: 2745
Downloads: 1130
Rating: 1.0, Total rating: 112
Yours rating

Abstract:

Longwall - associated geotechnical problems have been extensively studied by using numerical modelling methods. However, proper representation of its geological structures remains a challenging task. This paper presents a systematic understanding of numerical modelling techniques for studying longwall coal mining with geological structures. The modelling techniques derived from conventional and advanced continuum and discontinuum methods were reviewed in detail with emphasiz on their mechanic's formulation and applications. This study suggests that the successful selection of a proper modelling technique should be based on the physical principle of longwall problem, texture and shape of materials, and mechanics formulation of the numerical program used for modelling. The paper’s conclusions assist numerical modellers in quickly and properly selecting modelling technique for investigating a site - specific longwall problem.

How to Cite
Le, D.Tien and Bui, T.Manh 2021. Numerical modelling techniques for studying longwall geotechnical problems under realistic geological structures. Journal of Mining and Earth Sciences. 62, 3 (Jun, 2021), 87-96. DOI:https://doi.org/10.46326/JMES.2021.62(3).10.
References

Abousleiman, R., Walton, G. and Sinha, S. (2020). Understanding roof deformation mechanics and parametric sensitivities of coal mine entries using the discrete element method. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 30, 123 - 129.

Bai, Q. - S., Tu, S. - H., Chen, M. and Zhang, C. (2016a). Numerical modeling of coal wall spall in a longwall face. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 88, 242 - 253.

Bai, Q. - S., Tu, S. - H., Zhang, C. and Zhu, D. (2016b). Discrete element modeling of progressive failure in a wide coal roadway from water - rich roofs. International Journal of Coal Geology, 167, 215 - 229.

Behera, B., Yadav, A., Singh, G. S. P. and Sharma, S. K. (2020). Numerical Modeling Study of the Geo - mechanical Response of Strata in Longwall Operations with Particular Reference to Indian Geo - mining Conditions. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 53, 1827 - 1856.

Coggan, J., Gao, F., Stead, D. and Elmo, D. (2012). Numerical modelling of the effects of weak immediate roof lithology on coal mine roadway stability. International Journal of Coal Geology, 90–91, 100 - 109.

Damjanac, B., Board, M., Lin, M., Kicker, D. and Leem, J. (2007). Mechanical degradation of emplacement drifts at Yucca Mountain - A modeling case study: Part II: Lithophysal rock. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 44, 368 - 399.

Deisman, N., Mas Ivars, D., Darcel, C. and Chalaturnyk, R. J. (2010). Empirical and numerical approaches for geomechanical characterization of coal seam reservoirs. International Journal of Coal Geology, 82, 204 - 212.

Elmo, D. and Stead, D. (2010). An Integrated Numerical Modelling–Discrete Fracture Network Approach Applied to the Characterisation of Rock Mass Strength of Naturally Fractured Pillars. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 43, 3 - 19.

Farahmand, K., Vazaios, I., Diederichs, M. S. and Vlachopoulos, N. (2018). Investigating the scale - dependency of the geometrical and mechanical properties of a moderately jointed rock using a synthetic rock mass (SRM) approach. Computers and Geotechnics, 95, 162 - 179.

Galvin, J. M. (2016). Ground engineering - Principles and practices for underground coal mining, Cham, Springer International Publishing.

Gao, F., Stead, D. and Coggan, J. 2014a. Evaluation of coal longwall caving characteristics using an innovative UDEC Trigon approach. Computers and Geotechnics, 55, 448 - 460.

Gao, F., Stead, D. and Kang, H. (2014b). Numerical investigation of the scale effect and anisotropy in the strength and deformability of coal. International Journal of Coal Geology, 136, 25 - 37.

Gao, F., Stead, D. and Kang, H. (2014c). Simulation of roof shear failure in coal mine roadways using an innovative UDEC Trigon approach. Computers and Geotechnics, 61, 33 - 41.

Gao, F. Q. and Stead, D. (2014.) The application of a modified Voronoi logic to brittle fracture modelling at the laboratory and field scale. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 68, 1 - 14.

Golder Associates (2020). FracMan. Seattle: Washington.

Hadjigeorgiou, J. (20120. Where do the data come from? Transactions of the Institutions of Mining and Metallurgy, Section A: Mining Technology, 121, 236 - 247.

Https://Www.Mofrac.Com/. (2020). MoFrac [Online]. Available: https://www.mofrac.com/ [Accessed 21 June 2020].

Itasca Consulting Group (2019). UDEC – Universal Distinct Element Code, Ver. 7.0. Minneapolis: Itasca.

Ivanova, V. M., Sousa, R., Murrihy, B. and Einstein, H. H. (2014). Mathematical algorithm development and parametric studies with the GEOFRAC three - dimensional stochastic model of natural rock fracture systems. Computers and Geosciences, 67, 100 - 109.

Jing, L. (2003). A review of techniques, advances and outstanding issues in numerical modelling for rock mechanics and rock engineering. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 40, 283 - 353.

Karimi Sharif, L., Elmo, D. and Stead, D. (2019). Improving DFN - geomechanical model integration using a novel automated approach. Computers and Geotechnics, 105, 228 - 248.

Kazerani, T. (2013). A discontinuum - based model to simulate compressive and tensile failure in sedimentary rock. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 5, 378 - 388.

Kazerani, T. and Zhao, J. (2010). Micromechanical parameters in bonded particle method for modelling of brittle material failure. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, 34, 1877 - 1895.

Kelly, M., Luo, X. and Craig, S. (2002). Integrating tools for longwall geomechanics assessment. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 39, 661 - 676.

Kong, D., Liu, Y. and Zheng, S. (2019). Sensitivity analysis of influencing factors and control technology for coalface failure. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 12, 550.

Lan, H., Martin, C. D. and Hu, B. (2010). Effect of heterogeneity of brittle rock on micromechanical extensile behavior during compression loading. Journal of Geophysical Research, 115, B01202.

Le, T. D. (2021). Analytical Study on the Stability of Longwall Top Coal Caving Face. In: BUI, X. N., LEE, C. and DREBENSTEDT, C. (eds.) Proceedings of the International Conference on Innovations for Sustainable and Responsible Mining (ISRM 2020). Cham: Springer International Publishing.

Le, T. D. and Bui, X. N. (2020). Effect of Key Parameters on Top Coal First Caving and Roof First Weighting in Longwall Top Coal Caving: A Case Study. International Journal of Geomechanics, 20, 04020037.

Le, T. D., Mitra, R., Oh, J. and Hebblewhite, B.( 2017). A review of cavability evaluation in longwall top coal caving. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 27, 907 - 915.

Li, X., Ju, M., Yao, Q., Zhou, J. and Chong, Z. (2016). Numerical Investigation of the Effect of the Location of Critical Rock Block Fracture on Crack Evolution in a Gob - side Filling Wall. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 49, 1041 - 1058.

Li, Z. - L., He, X. - Q., Dou, L. - M. and Song, D. - Z. (2018). Comparison of rockburst occurrence during extraction of thick coal seams using top - coal caving versus slicing mining methods. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 55, 1433 - 1450.

Lorig, L. J. and Cundall, P. A.( 1987) Modeling of reinforced concrete using the distinct element method. In: SHA, S. P. and SWARTZ, S. E., eds. International Conference on Fracture of Concrete and Rock, Houston, Texas. 276 - 287.

Lorig, L. J., Darcel, C., Damjanac, B., Pierce, M. and Billaux, D. (2015). Application of discrete fracture networks in mining and civil geomechanics. Mining Technology, 124, 239 - 254.

Mas Ivars, D., Pierce, M. E., Darcel, C., Reyes - Montes, J., Potyondy, D. O., Paul Young, R. and Cundall, P. A. (2011). The synthetic rock mass approach for jointed rock mass modelling. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 48, 219 - 244.

Mayer, J. M. and Stead, D. (2017). Exploration into the causes of uncertainty in UDEC Grain Boundary Models. Computers and Geotechnics, 82, 110 - 123.

Nicksiar, M. (2013). Effective parameters on crack initiation stress in low porosity rocks. PhD Thesis, University of Alberta.

Pierce, M., Mas Ivars, D., Potyondy, D. and Cundall, P. A. A Synthetic Rock Mass Model for Jointed Rock. In: EBERHARDT, STEAD and MORRISON, eds. Rock Mechanics: Meeting Society's Challenges and Demands, 2007. London: Taylor and Francis Group, 341 - 349.

Potyondy, D. 2010. A grain - based model for rock: Approaching the true microstructure. In: LI, C. C., GRØNENG, G., OLSSON, R. and ENGEN, S., eds. Rock Mechanics in the Nordic Countries, 2010. Kongsberg, Norway: Norwegian Group for Rock Mechanics, 225–234.

Scholtès, L., Donzé, F. - V. and Khanal, M. 2011. Scale effects on strength of geomaterials, case study: Coal. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 59, 1131 - 1146.

 

Sui, W., Hang, Y., Ma, L., Wu, Z., Zhou, Y., Long, G. and Wei, L. 2015. Interactions of overburden failure zones due to multiple - seam mining using longwall caving. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 74, 1019 - 1035.

Trueman, R., Coulthard, M. A. and Poulsen, B. A. Numerical methods for estimating the stability of unsupported spans for highwall mining. In: AUBERTIN, M., HASSANI, F. and MITRI, H., eds. 2nd North American Rock Mechanics Symposium, 1996/1/1/ 1996 Montreal. Rotterdam: A. A. Balkema.

Wang, C., Zhang, C., Li, Y. and Zheng, C. 2019a. Numerical investigation of the mechanical properties of coal masses with T - junctions cleat networks under uniaxial compression. International Journal of Coal Geology, 202, 128 - 146.

Wang, J. and Wang, Z. 2019. Systematic principles of surrounding rock control in longwall mining within thick coal seams. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 29, 65 - 71.

Wang, J., Wang, Z. and Li, Y. 2020. Longwall Top Coal Caving Mechanisms in the Fractured Thick Coal Seam. International Journal of Geomechanics, 20, 06020017.

Wang, J., Yang, S. and Kong, D. 2016. Failure mechanism and control technology of longwall coalface in large - cutting - height mining method. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 26, 111 - 118.

Wang, X. and Cai, M. (2019). A DFN–DEM Multi - scale Modeling Approach for Simulating Tunnel Excavation Response in Jointed Rock Masses. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 53, 1053–1077. 

Wang, X., Kang, H. and Gao, F. 2019b. Numerical investigation on the shear behavior of jointed coal mass. Computers and Geotechnics, 106, 274 - 285.

Wu, W. - D., Bai, J. - B., Wang, X. - Y., Yan, S. and Wu, S. - X. 2019. Numerical Study of Failure Mechanisms and Control Techniques for a Gob - Side Yield Pillar in the Sijiazhuang Coal Mine, China. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 52, 1231 - 1245.

Yao, Q., Li, X., Sun, B., Ju, M., Chen, T., Zhou, J., Liang, S. and Qu, Q. 2017. Numerical investigation of the effects of coal seam dip angle on coal wall stability. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 100, 298 - 309.

Yu, B., Zhao, J., Kuang, T. and Meng, X. (2015). In situ investigations into overburden failures of a super - thick coal seam for longwall top coal caving. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 78, 155 - 162.

Yu, B., Zhao, J. and Xiao, H. (2017). Case study on overburden fracturing during longwall top coal caving using microseismic monitoring. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 50, 507 - 511.

Zhang, C., Mitra, R., Oh, J., Canbulat, I. and Hebblewhite, B. (2017). Numerical analysis on mining - induced fracture development around river valleys. International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, 32, 463 - 485.

Zhang, X., Gong, P., Wang, K., Li, J. and Jiang, Y. (2019). Characteristic and Mechanism of Roof Fracture Ahead of the Face in an LTCC Panel When Passing an Abandoned Roadway: A Case Study from the Shenghua Coal Mine, China. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 52, 2775 - 2788.

Zhang, Y. and Wong, L. N. Y. (2018). A review of numerical techniques approaching microstructures of crystalline rocks. Computers and Geosciences, 115, 167 - 187.

Zhu, G. L., Sousa, R. L., He, M. C., Zhou, P. and Yang, J. (2020). Stability Analysis of a Non - pillar - Mining Approach Using a Combination of Discrete Fracture Network and Discrete - Element Method Modeling. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 53, 269 - 289.

Other articles