Application of rock mechanics principles to alleviate a complex rock engineering problem in a coal mine – A case study

This paper presents an analysis of complex ground control problems in a coal mine and solutions to alleviate them. The analysis includes the study of geology and lithology of the mine, determination of the mechanical properties of the rock/coal associated with mine, apparent in-situ stresses, in-mine observation and study of the behavior of the roadways through instrumentation and monitoring. An experimental longwall entry system was designed and implemented. Furthermore, experiments on the design of roof support system in the development entry were supplemented with the design of a panel entry system.