Journals →  Eurasian mining →  2014 →  #1 →  Back

PHYSICS AND MECHANICS OF ROCKS
ArticleName Ground support liners for underground mines: energy absorption capacities and costs
ArticleAuthor Louchnikov V. N., Eremenko V. A., Sandy M. P.
ArticleAuthorData

AMC Consultants Pty Ltd:

Louchnikov V. N., Principal Geotechnical Engineer, e-mail: vlouchnikov@amcconsultants.com

 

Sandy M. P., Director, e-mail: eremenko@ngs.ru

 

Institude of Promlems of Comprehensive Explotation of Mineral Resources Russian Academy of Sciences:

Eremenko V. A., Principal Researcher, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, e-mail: msandy@amcconsultants.com

Abstract

Surface support is a key component of most ground support systems which are applied as a means of reducing the risk of rockfall occurrence and maintaining serviceability of mine development. Surface support has two primary functions: a) distributing the applied load throughout the system by providing connection between rock bolts and b) retaining smaller rocks that unravel between rock bolts. Confinement is also provided to the rock mass, which may increase its capacity to resist further degradation or loosening. Surface support has been routinely installed in most underground mines around the world for many years, yet the operators are still not always certain which type is best suited for deformable ground conditions. A number of factors need to be taken into consideration prior to selecting the type of surface support liner, such as its capacity, availability, practicality of installation, manual handling and loading conditions (static or dynamic) to ensure the system’s optimal performance in terms of safety and costs. This paper presents an overview of the surface support types currently used in underground mines in Australia. Shotcrete, weld mesh, high-tensile chainlink mesh, reinforced weld mesh and high energy absorption mesh are discussed. A detailed description of each system is provided in terms of capacity, energy absorption, installation cycle and costs. The cost of each system has been normalised to the units of energy absorbed. The information presented in this paper can be used by underground operators as a reference guide when deciding on suitable surface support type for deformable ground conditions.

keywords Underground mines, rockbursts, dynamic ground support system, mesh, rock
References

1. Balg C., Roduner A. Geobrugg AG: ground support applications. Int. Ground Support Conf. AGH University. Lungern, Switzerland, 11–13 September 2013.
2. Bucher R., Cala M., Zimmermann A., Balg C., Roth, A. Large scale field tests of hightensile steel wire mesh in combination with dynamic rock bolts subjected to rock burst loading. 7th Int. Symp. on Ground Support in Mining and Underground construction. Perth, Australia, 13–15 May 2013.
3. Clements M. Shotcrete behaviour in mining. EAGCG Workshop on Shotcrete, Sydney, Australia, 23–24 May 2012.
4. DSI. Available at: http://www.dsiminingproducts.com/dsi-australiamining-rock-bolts-roof-bolts-resin-anchoring/products/surfacesupport/strap/osro.html (Accessed online 19.10.2013)
5. Kaiser P. K., McCreath D. R., Tannant, D. D. Canadian Rockburst Support Handbook. Geomechanics Research Centre, MIRARCO, Canada 1996, 324 p.
6. Louchnikov V., Brown S., Bucher R. “Mechanised installation of high-tensile chain-link mesh in underground operations”. 11th AusIMM Underground Operators’ Conf., Canberra, Australia, March 21–23, 2011.
7. Morton, E. C. Static testing of large-scale ground support panels. MEngSc Thesis, WASM, Curtin University, Perth, Australia, 2010.
8. Morton, E. C., Thompson A. G., Villaescusa E. Static testing of shotcrete and membranes for mining applications. 6th Int. Symp. on Ground Support in Mining and Civil Engineering Construction. SAIMM, 2008.
9. MOSHAB. Surface Rock Support for Underground Mines, Code of Practice. Western Australia, 1999.
10. Ortlepp W. D. Rock Fracture and Rockbursts: an Illustrative Study. Monograph Series M9, SAIMM, Johannesburg, 1997.
11. Player J. R., Morton E. C., Thompson A. G., Villaescusa E. Static and dynamic testing of steel wire mesh for mining applications of rock surface support. 6th Int. Symp. on Ground Support in Mining and Civil Engineering Construction. SAIMM, 2008.
12. Potvin Y., Giles G. The development of new high-energy absorption mesh. In 10th AusIMM Underground Operators Conf., Launceston, Australia, 14–16 April 2008, pp. 89–94.
13. Potvin Y. High Energy Absorption (HEA) mesh — a yieldable high load support system for demanding ground support applications. An ACG/UWA presentation published on YouTube on 18 July 2012: Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AezbcajBvk&feature=youtu.be (Accessed online 19.10.2013)
14. Roth A, Windsor C. R., Coxon J., de Vries R. 2004. Performance assessment of high-tensile steel wire mesh for ground support under seismic conditions. In 5th Int. Symp. on Ground Support, Perth. pp. 579–587, 2004.

Language of full-text english
Full content Buy
Back