Numerical Modeling for Increased Understanding of the Behavior and Performance of Coal Mine Stoppings

To date, research has not focused on the behavior of concrete block stoppings subjected to excessive vertical loading due to roof to floor convergence. For this reason, the failure mechanism of stoppings under vertical loading has not been fully understood. Numerical models were used in combination with physical testing to study the failure mechanisms of concrete block stoppings. Initially, the behavior of a single standard CMU block was observed and simulated using FLAC. Full-scale stoppings were then tested in the Mine Roof Simulator and modeled using UDEC. Through a combination of physical testing and numerical modeling a failure mechanism for concrete block stoppings was established. This failure mechanism consists of development of stress concentrations where a height difference as small as 1/32â exists between adjacent blocks. These stress concentrations lead to tensile cracking and, ultimately, premature failure of the wall.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mining and Minerals Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Mining and Minerals Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2003

Author dc:creator

• Burke, Lisa Michelle

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Westman, Erik C.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Iannacchione, Anthony T.
• Karfakis, Mario G.

• UDEC
• numerical modeling
• FLAC
• stoppings

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-05132003-150725

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/32692