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<p>This study evaluates, through two-dimensional plane strain discontinuum modeling with UDEC, the authors’ hypothesis that rib stability and reinforcement should be considered an integral component of assessing excavation stability and support design. It emphasizes the coupled behavior of the roof, pillar, floor and cleat geometry rather than considering the rib as an isolated element. The investigation is based on a longwall coal mine in India operating at a depth of approximately 900&#xa0;m (2,952 ft.) and extracting a 3.65&#xa0;m (12 ft.) thick seam under an immediate roof and floor composed primarily of competent sandstone units. Numerical models were calibrated against expected strength and deformation behavior for several pillar width to height ratios before examining roof-pillar interactions and the geomechanics role of the coal ribs. The study then evaluated a range of rib support geometries within these calibrated models. Central to the assessment is the quantification of volumetric strain development within the pillar and the surrounding rock mass, which provides insight into fracture initiation, progressive inelastic deformations and the spatial extent of damage. The results highlight the significant influence of rib mechanical behavior and its interaction with the roof and floor on the overall stability of deep excavations, particularly in geologic settings with high stiffness lithologies in the surrounding rock mass. The findings also offer guidance for designing rib support systems that enhance excavation performance. Future work will extend this investigation through three-dimensional modeling, which is currently underway.</p>

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Discontinuum-Based Mechanistic Analysis of Coal Ribs for Improved Ground Control in Underground Mines

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月31日

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  • S. Sinha,
  • Y. Paul Chugh

摘要

This study evaluates, through two-dimensional plane strain discontinuum modeling with UDEC, the authors’ hypothesis that rib stability and reinforcement should be considered an integral component of assessing excavation stability and support design. It emphasizes the coupled behavior of the roof, pillar, floor and cleat geometry rather than considering the rib as an isolated element. The investigation is based on a longwall coal mine in India operating at a depth of approximately 900 m (2,952 ft.) and extracting a 3.65 m (12 ft.) thick seam under an immediate roof and floor composed primarily of competent sandstone units. Numerical models were calibrated against expected strength and deformation behavior for several pillar width to height ratios before examining roof-pillar interactions and the geomechanics role of the coal ribs. The study then evaluated a range of rib support geometries within these calibrated models. Central to the assessment is the quantification of volumetric strain development within the pillar and the surrounding rock mass, which provides insight into fracture initiation, progressive inelastic deformations and the spatial extent of damage. The results highlight the significant influence of rib mechanical behavior and its interaction with the roof and floor on the overall stability of deep excavations, particularly in geologic settings with high stiffness lithologies in the surrounding rock mass. The findings also offer guidance for designing rib support systems that enhance excavation performance. Future work will extend this investigation through three-dimensional modeling, which is currently underway.