Examination Paper Subject: Examiner:: Certificate in Strata Control (Coal) D. Neal

EXAMINATION PAPER
SUBJECT: EXAMINER:
CERTIFICATE IN STRATA CONTROL (COAL) D. NEAL
SUBJECT CODE:
MODERATOR:
EXAMINATION DATE: B. MADDEN
OCTOBER 2014 TOTAL MARKS: [100]
TIME: PASS MARK: 60%
NUMBER OF PAGES: 4
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. Answer ALL FIVE questions

2. References other than those provided are not permitted.
3. Hand-held electronic calculators may be used.
4. Put your examination number on the outside cover of each book used and on any graph
paper or other loose sheets handed in.
NB: your name must not appear on any answer book or loose sheets.
5. Write in ink on the RIGHT HAND SIDE of the paper only (only the right hand pages
will be marked).
6. Show all calculations on which your answers are based.
7. Illustrate your answers by sketches of diagrams wherever possible.
8. In answering these questions, full advantage should be taken wherever necessary of your
practical experience as well as of the data given.
9. Answers must be given to an accuracy that is typical of practical conditions.
1
CERTIFICATE IN STRATA CONTROL (COAL)
QUESTION 1
1.1 What is the pillar width required for a drill and blast operation with a 1.0 m seam, bord
6,5 m, depth 100 m in the Main Development with an expected life of 20 years? (12)
Show all assumptions and calculations.
Assume safety factor of 2 required for long-life main development.
Salamon SF calc w=7.3m SquatSF w=7.0
1.2 What is the volumetric extraction? (2)

Total seam mined therefore areal=volumetric
Salamon = 72.02% Squat = 73.11%
1.3 What is the SF using van der Merwe and the same dimensions? (4)
Salamon comparison SF=2.86 Squat comparison SF=2.63
1.4 Why the difference? (2)

Each formula calculates pillar strength to a different value.
[20 MARKS]
QUESTION 2
2.1 If the immediate roof is competent sandstone with a “false” roof sandstone layer of
100mm, in the narrow seam example above, what support design would you
suggest? Motivate you answer with calculations and assumptions. (20)
Use 0.6m long bolts with forged head, thrust into position, no threads to catch on
people and equipment.
Calculate for beam between bolts and mass of 100mm beam, use smallest spacing.
[20 MARKS]
QUESTION 3
A trapezium shaped block of dolerite, with a density of 3050 kg/m 3 has 9, 150mm holes
drilled through it to create a wine cooling rack. It has the following dimensions, top width
90 cm, base width 1.80 m, vertical height 1050 mm and depth 35 cm.
3.1 Calculate both the volume and the mass of the dolerite trapezium The answer must
include a sketch of the problem.(10)
Sketch must be there.
Volume of holes = 0.0556723m3 Volume of solid trapezium =0.496125m3
Volume = solid – holes = 0.4404527 m3 mass = volume x density = 1343.3807kg
3.2 What stress does the block apply to the ground when sitting on its base? (4)
Weight/ base area = 13178.5646/0.63 = 20.918kPa
3.3 What stress does the block apply to the ground when sitting on its top? (4)
Weight/ top area = 13178.5646/0.315 = 41.837kPa
1
3.4 Why are these two values different? (2)

Weight concentrated by the area it manifests through.
[20 MARKS]
QUESTION 4
A tensile test on a 16 mm diameter x 1.5 m long roof bolt provided the following data
sets. The sample length was 1.35m.
LOAD DEFORMATION
(KN) (MM)
10 0.50
20 0.55
30 0.60
40 0.65
50 0.75
60 0.90
70 1.05
80 1.25
90 1.75
100 2.75
110 2.95
120 3.0
130 BOLT BROKE
4.1 Graphically plot the results of the test. (5)

4.2 Determine the tensile strength of the bolt at a failure load of 120kN. (5)
Tensile strength = load/area = 120 x 103/0.0162 x π/4 = 596.75 MPa
4.3 Determine the strain at a load of 85 kN. (1)

Strain = Deformation per unit length = 1.5 x 10 -3/1.35 = 1.11 x 10-3
4.4 Using information from the graph calculate the Elastic Modulus of the steel. (6)
E = stress/strain =(40 x 103/0.0162 x π/4)/( 0.6 x 10-3/1.35) = 447.57 GPa
4.5 An underground inspection of a heading revealed that a number of roof bolts were
protruding approximately 200 mm from the roof. It was clearly evident that the nut,
in all instances, was flush against the reverse spin nib.
No roof bolt operators are available for questioning. Using your knowledge and
experience document at least five (3) factors that may result in the bolts protruding
from the roof. (3)
Not tensioning, hole too short, unable to spin clockwise, not holding
[20 MARKS]
QUESTION 5
5.1 Draw a typical borehole column for a multi-seam area, with the various
rock types noted on it along with typical thicknesses. (8)
2.2 Name the 3 main rock Group designations and give examples that are found in a
coal mine environment.(6)
Igneous – dolerite, Metamorphic – burnt shale, sedimentary - sandstone
2.3 Describe with the use of sketches multiple slips including the variables
that can influence their stability.(6)
[20 MARKS]
Strata Control Formulae

w0 , 46
S=7,2
h 0, 66
S=3 . 5 ( wh )( MPa)
25 H C 2
L=
w2
2 Δw 0 2, 46
η=ηo (1 + )
w
pgt
n=SF -------
Pf
d 2c Lc
Lb= 2 2
D −d
Pf
τ=
π . D . Lb
4
γL
η=
23 E t 2
2
γL
σ=
2t
2. 46
w
FS=288
Hh0 . 66 ( w+b )2
R00 .5933 0 .5933 R ε
σ s=7 . 2 0 . 0667 { [( ) −1]+ 1}
V ε Ro
τ =c+σ n tan φ
4 π r3
V s=
3

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EXAMINATION PAPER

CERTIFICATE IN STRATA CONTROL (COAL) D. NEAL

EXAMINATION DATE: B. MADDEN

OCTOBER 2014 TOTAL MARKS: [100]

TIME: PASS MARK: 60%

1. Answer ALL FIVE questions

1.2 What is the volumetric extraction? (2)

1.4 Why the difference? (2)

3.4 Why are these two values different? (2)

4.1 Graphically plot the results of the test. (5)

4.3 Determine the strain at a load of 85 kN. (1)

Strata Control Formulae

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