Analysis of load of a powered roof support’s hydraulic leg

Abstract

The main purpose of the powered roof support is to protect headings from the impact of the rock mass. The result of such impact is static and dynamic load impacting the support section, which is carried by its construction. The basic elements of the construction of the support are hydraulic legs, whose task is to ensure adequate strength of its setting. Particularly in the case of dynamic impact of the rock mass, these legs are exposed to a very unfavourable load condition. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct tests to determine the parameters of operation for this type of loads. The paper presents the results of tests on the hydraulic leg subjected to impact load with free falling impact mass. The purpose of the research was to determine the parameters of the leg's operation, i.e. the time periods of pressure in the space under the piston and other elements of the hydraulic system. The tests were conducted in compliance with designed methodology and included innovative registration system. The obtained results clearly indicate the correctness of the adopted assumptions. According to the authors, the results should be applied during selection and operation of a powered roof support.