Kerim Kucuk

Long-term time-dependent consolidation analysis by numerical modelling to determine subsidence effect area induced by longwall top coal caving method

Longwall top coal caving (LTCC) is one of the mining methods used in thick coal seams. Large subsidence occurs over the coal mines, where this method is utilised for production. The area affected by subsidence differs due to varying limit angles of the geological formations in the overburden. However, subsidence does not occur instantly, it is a phenomenon which progresses in time. It is especially important to perform time-dependent analyses of mines in the neighbourhood of residential areas, agricultural zones, or any kind of man-made structures. In this study, the long-term development of a subsidence due to production in an underground coal mine in Manisa-Soma-Eynez was examined using time-dependent numerical modelling technique. 750 days after the end of production, the effects of subsidence were examined in place, measurements were taken from the field and they were compared with the results of the time dependent numerical modelling analyses. [Received: November 15, 2014; Accepted: October 6, 2015]

Safety pillar design for main galleries in multi-slice longwall top coal caving method

Longwall top coal caving (LTCC) is one of the methods used in thick coal seams. In coal mines where this method is used, some coal is left in place to be retrieved later in order to prevent damage to the main galleries. Stresses and strains created by roof layer caving of the panels advancing towards each other may put pressure on the main galleries. The amount of this pressure increases with time-dependent consolidation of roof layers. Sizes of the safety pillars gain importance in order to prevent this pressure and thus avoid the damages on the supports of the main galleries. In this research, great deformations creating damages on the supports of the main galleries of an underground coal mines in Manisa, Soma-Eynez were examined. Time-dependent deformation amounts were investigated both in situ and with time-dependent numerical modelling analysis. The results obtained by this research provide the sizes of the safety pillars in the panels to be produced. [Received: September 24, 2014; Accepted: December 25, 2014]

Ground Control for Underground Evaporite Mine in Turkey

Controlling the potential for hazardous ground movements and inundation of an underground mine to within acceptable limits is essential. Both hazards can result in serious harm or death of workers or persons that may inadvertently enter a mining area. The hazards are not always obvious. For example, the outcome of the hazard of a loose rock falling from a sidewall and striking someone can be fatal by either direct physical contact, or damaging the plant in which the worker is working. The presence of certain geological structure (natural planes of weakness in the rock) that override the effectiveness of any ground control measure, is not always obvious from within the mine.

Influence of ground water effect on shallow tunnel: A case study

The studies done about shallow tunnels have been going on extensively. In the shallow tunnels especially driven in population dense areas, soil-rock problems are encountered as well as ground water. Although ground water is the most common problem, it does not take place so much in literature. During tunneling, the drainage of the groundwater is the most important point that should be considered. In some cases, the drainage of ground water through the tunnel cause ground settlements in the surrounding buildings. This problem particularly seen in weak soil/rock formations could be turned into a handicap by the surface injection applications. Sometimes, injection application to prevent settlement problem and to reinforce the ground creates risky conditions such as face burst, roof collapse during tunneling. This problematic situation risks both the work safety and the environmental safety. This study investigates retrospectively the collapse of the tunnel roof and faces burst during the construction of Izmir Metro 2nd phase. Eventually, in the zone where ground water regime exists and very weak formation is present, injection study did not seem to serve the purpose.