Roadway deformation during riding mining in soft rock

“Riding mining” is a form of mining where the working face is located above the roadway and advances parallel to it. Riding mining in deep soft rock creates a particular set of problems in the roadway that include high stresses, large deformations, and support difficulties. Herein we describe a study of the rock deformation mechanism of a roadway as observed during riding mining in deep soft rock. Theoretical analysis, numerical simulations, and on site monitoring were used to examine this problem. The stress in the rock and the visco-elastic behavior of the rock are considered. Real time data, recorded over a period of 240 days, were taken from a 750 transportation roadway. Stress distributions in the rock surrounding the roadway were studied by comparing simulations to observations from the mine. The rock stress shows dynamic behavior as the working face advances. The pressure increases and then drops after peaking as the face advances. Both elastic and plastic deformation of the surrounding rock occurs. Plastic deformation provides a mechanism by which stress in the rock relaxes due to material flow. A way to rehabilitate the roadway is suggested that will help ensure mine safety.