On the Influence of Longwall Mining on the Deformation of the Operational Excavations

Abstract

The paper presents the results of numerical modeling of the geomechanical behavior of the system “lava — operational excavation — enclosing potash rock mass” during mining operations. Numerical modeling includes a forecast of the mechanical behavior of the system at all stages of the system existence: from the natural stress-strain state (SSS) of the rock mass to excavation and safety measures installation, as well as the longwall mining operations. The results of numerical experiments are verified using the data from field studies of convergence of the roof and floor of the operational excavation and the side walls of this excavation. As a result of the studies, it is established that longwall mining has a significant impact on the operational excavation at a distance of about 40 m or less. In addition, the paper describes an algorithm for numerical simulation of the geomechanical behavior of the considered geotechnical system.

Keywords

• operational excavation
• longwall mining
• convergence
• finite element method
• computer-aided modeling
• stress-strain state of rock mass with an underground structure