Fracturing of an Euler–Bernoulli beam in coal mine pillar extraction

• Published in: International journal of rock mechanics and mining sciences (Oxford, England : 1997) Vol. 64; pp. 132 - 138
• Main Authors: Please, C.P., Mason, D.P., Khalique, C.M., Ngnotchouye, J.M.T., Hutchinson, A.J., van der Merwe, J.N., Yilmaz, H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bending moment; Buildings. Public works; Coal mine; Coal mines; Compressive properties; Computation methods. Tables. Charts; Euler strut; Euler-Bernoulli beams; Euler–Bernoulli beam; Exact sciences and technology; Fracture mechanics; Fracturing; Geotechnics; Miscellaneous; Pillar extraction; Pillars; Roofs; Snook; Soil mechanics. Rocks mechanics; Structural analysis. Stresses; Euler–Bernoulli beam; Pillar extraction; Coal mine; Snook; Bending moment; Euler strut; Fracture mechanics; Bernoulli Euler model; Modeling; Mining; Numerical simulation; Mathematical model; Elastic beam; Fracturing; Euler-Bernoulli beam
• ISSN: 1365-1609; 1873-4545
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2013.08.001

The paper models the first stage of the process of pillar extraction in a coal mine. The problem of understanding how a coal mine roof collapses after secondary cutting of the supporting pillars to create small supporting snooks is considered. The fracture of the roof is considered when a set of snooks have failed and the roof must support itself between two pillars. Models that account for the relative importance of the overburden weight on the roof and the compressive stresses in the roof are examined using a simple strut and beam theory. •Roof fracture in secondary coal mining.•Tensile fracture of an Euler–Bernoulli beam subjected to a compressive axial force.•Transition from a continuous elastic beam to a voussoir beam.•Maximum curvature and bending moment of a clamped Euler–Bernoulli beam.