Recent Advances in Rock Engineering (RARE 2016)

Strata control monitoring in a contiguous seam

depillaring working

Sandeep K Sahoo, A Galav, B Behera, Sanjay K Sharma and GSP Singh

Department of Mining Engineering,
Indian Insitute of Technology (BHU)
Varanasi, India
[email protected]

Abstract — Most of the underground coal mines in the Indian are dynamic and influenced by the different stages of
Geo-mining conditions are developed and depillared by Bord underground coal mining activity whereas; in-situ stresses are
and Pillar method. Caving behaviour and strata control are the static in nature [5-7]. Stability and caving behaviour of strata
major concerns to be considered while extraction of coal seams at the time of depillaring is controlled by mining induced
in such workings. This paper describes the results of a scientific
strata control monitoring study during depillaring in a
stresses. These induced stresses are influenced by distribution
contiguous seam working. It includes instrumentation for and re-distribution in the immediate roof over the galleries,
determining the induced stresses in the pillars and roof-floor junctions and the edges and corners of pillars. Rock
convergence in the galleries and junctions with distance from the instrumentation is done in the mine working for measuring
goaf edges in the working. The mining induced stresses on the induced stresses and associated displacement in strata. Caving
pillars were observed to be more in the top seam than that in the occurs when the vertical gravity force exceeds the shear
bottom seam working. Convergence monitoring was done with resistance force in between the two beds [8].
Telescopic Convergence Indicators (TCI) and Remote
convergence recorders. In general, higher convergence was Convergence is the movement of roof and floor in a
observed in the junctions as compared to the galleries. The vertical plane. It indicates the elasto-plastic response in rocks
junctions located at distant location suffered more convergence with simultaneous advancement of goaf-edge supports, thereby
than the galleries is nearer to the goaf edge. Based on the field shifting the line of pillar extraction. It is caused due to
observation, convergence classification has also been done in redistribution of induced vertical and horizontal stresses in the
terms of average distance of the goaf edge from the point of aforementioned mine workings. A large area of roof in the
observation to assess the state of 'No-convergence', 'Initial
convergence' and 'Maximum convergence'. The convergence form of overhang in the goaf affects convergence which is not
observed in the bottom seam is more than that of the top seam. followed by regular caving. Convergence is also considered as
a vital monitoring parameter to ensure parting stability,
Keywords—caving behaviour; strata control; contiguous movement of the strata while recovering coal with safety at the
workings; convergence; depillaring; mining induced stress; stress time of depillaring particularly, at the time of splitting, slicing
meters and formation of ribs.
The rock instrumentation plays a major role in the
I. INTRODUCTION
investigative study of the strata movement in the contiguous
Bord and pillar is the most commonly used underground seams where the parting stability problem between the top and
coal mining method in India. According to the Coal Mines bottom seams exists. Convergence monitoring and Stress
Regulations 1957, contiguous seams have parting thickness measurement are important parametrical approaches for
less than 9.0 m [1] but not less than 3m [2]. The factors assessing safety at the time of depillaring in the contiguous
affecting the parting stability in such workings are thickness workings. Strata monitoring study conducted by (Singh et al.,
of parting, depth of cover, lateral eccentricity between the 9) at a depth of 75-80m, involved instrumentation to
lower and upper seams, horizontal in-situ stress, RMR and investigate the interaction of the top seam and standing pillars
extraction ratio [3]. Underground mines are overcoming in the bottom seam. RCI recorded 7mm of average
challenges to extract the coal pillars with safety where coal convergence in top seam and 1mm in bottom seam. Stress
seams are contiguous because of which the issues of strata meter recorded a value of 0.23 MPa when it was 12m away
control and parting stability in the contiguous seams are more from the goaf edge, and 0.84 MPa at 5m inside the goaf edge.
pronounced while depillaring. The coal is locked-up in the [9]. Mandal et al.(2008) conducted instrumentation study in
form of developed pillars is very difficult to extract in adverse the contiguous seams, where weak and laminated roof parting
geo-mining conditions [4]. This causes sudden caving of the existed in the coal seam, at a depth of cover varying from 25 to
goaf which endangers the depillaring working of the 170 m. Convergence was detected in the stations from the goaf
contiguous sections which affects the pillar stability. edge at a distance of 120m in top section as compared to 135m
Pillar stability depends on two types of Stresses-Mining in bottom section and the stress measured to 1.8MPa in top
Induced Stresses and In-situ Stresses. Mining Induced stresses seam and 0.35 MPa in the bottom seam was observed [10]. In

© 2016. The authors - Published by Atlantis Press 348

one of the strata instrumentation study (Singh et al, 3) for the depillaring proceeds, a large area of the exposed roof is
evaluation of parting stability and caving behaviour, formed in the goaf in the form of overhang. The cantilevering
cumulative convergence at the face was observed to be 3mm effect of these overhangs induces the vertical stress on the
per day, where full parting caved down completely at a cover adjoining pillars nearer to the line of extraction. In accordance
depth of about 80m with a parting thickness of 2-3m. The with the proposed working, strata control instrumentation plan
stress meter observations revealed induced stress of 0.84 MPa was implemented with the extraction of the pillars so as to
at the top section and 0.32 MPa at bottom section, whereas ensure safer depillaring in the contiguous workings. This
convergence meters showed 5mm in Top section and 4mm in ultimately approaches the objective of the convergence
Bottom section of the working. [3]. monitoring and vertical stress due to overlying strata affecting
the pillars, which will help in the prediction of roof fall with
This paper presents the findings of a strata behaviour the help of instrumentation. The salient geo-mining parameters
monitoring study to quantify roof-floor convergence in a of the workings are summarized in Table I.
contiguous seam depillaring working and to determine induced
stress on pillars in this process. The results obtained from the The roof properties of the seam (Table II) are assessed
implementation of rock instrumentation plan at particular from the bore-hole data. It shows that although the content of
locations in the working so as to monitor the response of the sandstone in the overlying roof strata was quite high, the
rock structure throughout the life of the panel. The effect of overall RQD of the formation was upto 49%. The roof is not
mining induced stress on the pillars was studied with respect to hard and massive so it does not seems too difficult to cave. If
advancement of the goaf edge which indicates the pillar the parting thickness were 3-6m, then the extraction by
response. superimposed pattern takes. But if the parting is 6m, then UPP
is advanced to a distance of one pillar.
II. GEO-MINING DETAILS
The strata monitoring study was conducted in 24L/19D III. STRATA CONTROL INSTRUMENTATION
panel in Bhatgaon colliery SECL which was contiguous in The effect of the approach of the goaf line on the
nature. It has two seams LPP (Lower Patpahari Seam) and convergence of the roof and the induced stress on pillars is
UPP (Upper Patpahari Seam) which has parting of thickness studied with the help of the rock instrumentation. A UID
varying from 3 to 6m. The average thickness of the seam was (Unique Identification Numbering) system was adopted for all
2.4m. The immediate roof of the UPP seam was formed of the the instruments. It comprised the location of a particular
medium grained pebbliferous sandstone. monitoring point, the seam where it are located with the serial
number assigned, level and dip of the location.
The underground working in the two seams is developed
and depillared by Bord & Pillar Method of Mining. The The instrumentation study was conducted with the help of
depillaring of the pillars is in the form of diagonal line of different instruments including Telescopic Convergence meter,
extraction in the entire panel. The depillaring of pillars was Dual-Height Tell-Tale, Auto-Warning Tell-tale, Stress meters
undergone by splitting and slicing methods. The panel is
developed into a number of pillars formed by driving galleries TABLE I. GEO-MINING PARAMETERS OF THE EXPERIMENTAL PANEL
in between the adjacent pillars of nearly regular sizes. The two Sl.
types of galleries crossing each other in the workings are the Parameter Value/Magnitude
No.
Level gallery and the Dip-rise gallery. There are five main
level galleries from 24L to 28L and dip galleries enumerated 1 Depth of Cover, m 42
from 19D to 24D.The dip is the direction from 24L to 2 Thickness of the UPP (Upper Seam), m 2.2-2.9m
28L.During depillaring of pillar, a split gallery was driven 3 Thickness of the LPP (Lower Seam), m 1.7 to 2.5
parallel to the main level gallery which subdivides the pillar 4 Parting thickness, m 3 to 6
into two stooks. Further, the slices are driven parallel to the 5 Gassiness Degree I
dip-rise gallery dividing each pillar into four stooks but leaving 6 Incubation period, months 12
the last slice of 3m width called as rib pillar, which acts as 7 Pillar Size (centre to centre) 24m x 24m
temporary support pillar nearer to goaf. 8 Gallery Size 4.5 m x 2 m
9 RMR 50-69
Depillaring of pillars commences from the dip to rise side
following diagonal line of extraction. In addition to that,
Splitting of the pillars was done upto one pillar ahead of the TABLE II. DETAILS OF THE BOREHOLE SEAMS
pillar under extraction. Splitting and Slicing of pillars affects
Parameter Borehole and location
the strata stability of overlying seam. To maintain the strata
stability, there should be simultaneous extraction in both the
CBBB-19 CBBB-32 CBBB-36 CBBB 40
seams separated by parting of 3m and the pillars of the seam (55D/23L) (55D/22L) (43D/35L) (37D/35L)
are superimposed with respect to other. According to CMR
1957, splitting of the pillars should not effect to a distance Depth of the 60.4 60.1 62 58.05
UPP seam
greater than the length of two pillars during extraction of
pillars. In addition to that, % of 82 92 83 94
sandstone
Splitting of pillars is restricted to maximum of four pillars
where pillar extraction is about to begin in a district [11]. As conical tip of TCR rod was fixed both at roof top and

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and  Convergence  Recorders.  A  detailed  IV. OBSERVATIONS
instrumentation  plan  showing  the  location  of  the  Strata behaviour observations were made with the help of
convergence  measurement  stations,  stress  meters  and  different instruments set for the purpose for giving condition
Auto‐warning tell‐tell is given in Fig.1.  of the strata while achieving safer extraction. The
observations derived from the rock instrumentation helped in
floor bottom. The distance between the two reference continuous surveillance on the caving behaviour of roof, roof
points of roof and floor was measured by extending the stability and vertical stress measurement in contiguous seams
movable upper telescopic rod which has reference scale for having thinner parting. The observations of the stress meter
taking measurements. Cumulative convergence measurements and convergence monitoring were recorded and graphical
were taken on a daily basis and it was subtracted with plots were obtained against the line of goaf advancement.
previous readings for evaluating the convergence.
A. Convergence Monitoring Stations (CMS)
Convergence recorders were installed at the middle of the Convergence Monitoring Stations are installed to study the
line of extraction in each of the two seams in panels for influence of the goaf edge on the non-elastic convergence of
determining the goaf edge convergence. Convergence the strata, when it approaches nearer. Convergence
recorders had a drum which rotated for twenty-four hours and monitoring stations were installed at every junction of the
gives the observation for each day. Two Convergence level and dip-rise gallery and at a distance half of the width of
recorders, one in each seam were installed. pillar i.e. in gallery and it should be at the middle of the
A. Dual Height Tell Tale Gallery cross-section. All the stations were observed in
The dual height tell-tale extensometer has been installed at accordance to the state of convergence with respect to the
each and every junction of the top and bottom seams to distance from the goaf edge and described as 'No
monitor the roof rock displacement. Convergence', 'Initial Convergence' and 'Maximum
Convergence'. 'No convergence' state is observed at the point
B. Auto-Warning Tell-Tale of observation if the goaf edge is too far. 'Initial convergence'
A total of four Auto-warning tell-tale has been installed in is observed when the point of observation comes under the
the two seams with 2 in LPP and 2 in UPP for monitoring the influence of front abutment stress which is distributed within
rock displacement at the junctions. It warns by having three 1.5-2 times the size of the pillar. 'Maximum convergence'
coloured markings 0-20mm in green, 20-50mm in blue and state was observed as 8mm, when the goaf edge was at a
50-70mm in red. distance of 6.5m behind the Convergence Measuring Station.
Galleries are the locations where the edges of adjacent pillars
C. Stress Meters are on either side whereas Junctions are described as the
The stress meters with its read-out unit are used for locations having corners of adjacent pillars where higher
measuring the induced vertical stress on the pillars to be stresses are induced.
studied. A total of six vibrating wire stress meters was
B. Top Seams 24LS/18D Panel
installed in three pillars in each seam at exactly same location
in both of the seams. They are installed in the pillars (Fig. 1) Galleries having points of 'No Convergence' state at a limit
so as to monitor the vertical stress with the regular of 22.57-38.86m, 'Initial Convergence' at 10.58-22.36m and
advancement of goaf line. It is installed within the hole of 'Maximum Convergence' at 7.75-8.71m. Similarly, Junctions
36mm diameter and 3m length in the demarcated position of have points of 'No Convergence' state at 24.25-42.53m, 'Initial
the pillar keeping in view that while splitting and slicing of Convergence' at 13.43-24.64m and 'Maximum Convergence'
the allocated pillar which should be kept safe. The stress at 7.25-11.86 m. Fig. 2 shows convergence plot of Station in
meter transducer with the wedge of dia. 37mm was installed UPP at 25L. 'Initial Convergence' is limiting from -1 to -2 mm
so that it fitted well with the transducer in the borehole. whereas Maximum convergence is limiting from -3 to -5mm.
The distance limit of convergence in the galleries is less than
The instrument has a vibrating wire transducer which is the junctions. Hence the effect of convergence on junctions is
clipped with the Read-out unit wires while taking reading for more than that of galleries.
stress measurements.
C. Bottom Seams 24LS/18D panels
Galleries have point of 'No convergence' state at 23.0-
57.0m, 'Initial Convergence' at 14.0-23.0m and 'Maximum
Convergence' at 8.5-14.0m. Junctions have point of 'No
Convergence' state at 23.0-65.0m, 'Initial Convergence' at
15.0-23.0m and 'Maximum Convergence' at 4.5-15.0m. The
bottom seams have more convergence effect as compared to
top seams due to parting and caving of top seam in
combination with overburden of shallow depth of 42m. Initial
Convergence was observed from -1 to -3mm.

Fig.1. Instrumentation plan for 24 LS /19D panel

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 plan in the figure 4 describes the location and direction of
Stress meter installed in the pillar.
The value of induced vertical stress is a function of
distance from the goaf edge for the stress meter installation.
The location and direction of stress meter is shown in Fig.4.
The vertical stresses increase in a gradual and less steep slope
which marks that rate of increment of induced vertical stress
was less with the advancement of the goaf edge. The relation
is plotted for a typical stress meters of UID
SM22UPP26L21.5R in the upper seam and is shown in
Fig.5.There were no vertical stresses observed from the
readings of Stress meter when it is at a distance of 64.5 m
from the goaf edge. Slow and marginal abutment stresses
Fig. 2. Convergence plot of 25L in Top Seams were observed when goaf edge is at a distance 52.5m. The
observations were obtained from the stress meter till the
Convergence Chart 22B depillaring of the pillar at the commencement of panel.
The maximum stress of 7.2 MPa was observed when goaf
733.5 was nearer to the pillar containing the stress meter at a
733
distance of 10m.The abutment stresses in the top seam is
C u m u la t iv e o b s e r v a t io n

732.5
732
maximum than that of the bottom seam.
731.5 F. Bottom Seams 24LS/18D Panel –
731
730.5 Similarly, Stress meters in Bottom seams are also assigned
730 with the UIDs. The locations of three stress meters that was
729.5 installed within the pillars are shown along with the direction
729 of dip in accordance to the Figure 6 given below.
728.5
55
49
49
49
40
40
40
40

23
23
15
15
15
4 .5
4 .5
.5
.5
.5

.5
.5
65
65
57

32
32

Distance from Goaf edge

Fig. 3. Convergence plot of 25L in Bottom Seams

Whereas Maximum convergence is from -4 to -6mm. The

following figure in Fig. 3, show convergence in bottom seam
at 25L. The convergence of different station was recorded
against the distance of the goaf edge in bottom seam.
D. Stress meter Observations
The stress meters were monitored on daily basis to obtain
their response for estimating stress induced on the pillars with
retreat of diagonal line of extraction. It is observed that up to
40m distance from the goaf edge, the abutment stress induced
Fig. 4. Stress meter plan of the Top panel
in the pillar is very slow and marginal in nature.
This is confirmed by the convergence study conducted in The stress meters were marked as 1’, 2’ and 3’ with their
the distance from the goaf edge, the abutment stress induced assigned UID’s. Figure 7 shows the graphical plot of the
in the pillar is very slow and marginal in nature. This is also stress meter at location 1’ having UID assigned
confirmed by the convergence study conducted in the SM15LPP26L21.5D. Observations of Stress Meter indicates
galleries where initiation of roof-floor convergence was noted that abutment stress do not affect pillars when the goaf edge is
as the goaf edge approached within a distance of 1.5 times the at 83m, then it gradually increases slowly when goaf edge is
pillar width. Length of vibrating wire of the stress metre is at a distance of 71m. Then after reaching 40.5 m, the
inversely proportional to its time period and hence, directly abutment stress at the pillar is 0.96MPa. After this peak, the
proportional to frequency, which in turn proportional to pillar is destressed to an extent of 0.4 MPa which then
induced stresses. increases. This clearly indicates the fall of goaf which
destresses the roof and after advancing of line of extraction to
E. Top seam 24LS/18D Panel some extent, the abutment stresses increases as the roof
In the top seam three stress meters were installed. Each exposure is larger. The wire is cut as indicated in figure for
and every stress meters are allocated in the location with the which further observations were indistinctly fluctuating.
assigned UID which is given in the Fig.4.The Stress meter

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 the goaf line. Convergence rate from its initial to maximum
value is greater in junctions as compared to that in the
galleries. At initial stage, less convergence is induced in
Bottom seam than that in the Top seam because of the stress
shadowing effect as the former is protected by the standing
pillars in the top seam. But, when goaf edge approaches
nearer to the monitoring station, maximum convergence in
Bottom seam is more than the Top seams because of the
collapse of roof of the top seam and the parting. This
destresses the top seam and parting instability also increases.
The mining induced stress in the Top seams was 7.7 MPa at a
distance of 10m as compared to 2 MPa in the bottom seams at
a distance of 12.5 m, from the goaf edge. The mining induced
stresses in the pillars of the Top seam are higher due to load
of the overburden and is destressed by caving in the goaf.
Fig. 5. Stress meter SM22UPP26L20.5D ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The results of the study presented in this paper forms part
of a project sponsored by SECL. The authors are obliged to
the mine management for their valuable co-operation during
the field observation. The views expressed in this paper are
those of the authors and not necessarily of the institute to
which they belong.
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goaf edge are larger as compared to galleries having
corresponding values at 14-23m and 8.5-14m distance from

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