Review of Ground Characterization by Using Instrumented Drills for Underground Mining and Construction

Abstract

In underground mining, many miners are injured or lose their lives because of roof/pillar instability each year, and this is a persistent safety risk. Characterization of overlying strata is important for the design of safe and cost-effective ground support systems. Entry roof characterization can be performed by geological backmapping of the ground using various methods such as geophysical logging, borescoping, rock mass rating, and intelligent roof bolt drilling systems. This paper offers a brief review of mine roof characterization methods, followed by an introduction to and discussion of roof characterization methods using instrumented roof bolters. A brief overview of the various instrumentation systems developed for roof bolt drills is presented. The results of the preliminary study and initial testing indicate that, despite recent improvements in the area of ground characterization by instrumented drills, there are still several issues that must be addressed to improve the efficiency and accuracy of existing systems. A summary of suggested improvements is provided.

Preliminary Investigation into Measurement While Drilling as a Means to Characterize the Coalmine Roof

“…In theory, various methods, including analytical, numerical, and experimental, can be used to analyze the applicability of MWD to the characterization of coalmine roofs [2][3][4][5][6][7][8]11,[15][16][17]. Analytical and numerical methods provide a straightforward means to understand the immediate effect of various geotechnical parameters on drilling and bolting operations.…”

“…The literature has examples of laboratory experiments, field trials, and the development of instruments to monitor while drilling [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. Reference [6] provided a brief review of recent improvements on instrumented drills used in ground characterization and highlighted issues that are still lagging in using these instruments. , Four instruments for roof bolt drills that can acquire roof data during roof drilling are discussed [6].…”

“…Reference [6] provided a brief review of recent improvements on instrumented drills used in ground characterization and highlighted issues that are still lagging in using these instruments. , Four instruments for roof bolt drills that can acquire roof data during roof drilling are discussed [6]. These tools have been developed by (a) Parvus Corporationn (Salt Lake City, UT, USA) Figure 3 illustrates the distinctive combinations of drilling parameters when different strata are encountered.…”

The use of soft computing methods for the prediction of rock properties based on measurement while drilling data

“…As emphasised by Scoble and Peck (1987), once ground characteristics are determined it would be possible to make real-time tactical decisions, such as blast design. Kahraman et al (2016) made a review of ground characterisation using instrumented drills for underground mining and construction. They indicated that MWD is used more in surface and shallow mining than in underground mining (Kahraman et al 2016).…”

Computational monitoring in real time: review of methods and applications

“…With the technological advancements, recently more research in mining sector have been focused on MWD technique. Detailed information regarding rock type, lithology, rock strength (Hatherly et al 2015;Basarir and Karpuz 2016), ground characteristics (Kahraman et al 2015) can all be potentially determined from the recorded drilling parameters. This data recorded with respect to depth in the borehole must however be interpreted by direct comparison, correlation and calibration with core logs.…”