GB2125852A

GB2125852A - Underground roadway support

Info

Publication number: GB2125852A
Application number: GB08224272A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stanley Lewis
Original assignee: Coal Industry Patents Ltd
Current assignee: Coal Industry Patents Ltd
Priority date: 1982-08-24
Filing date: 1982-08-24
Publication date: 1984-03-14

Abstract

Lightweight mesh panels (3) erected in an underground roadway (1) define a recess (8) for receiving a bag (9) adapted to be filled with flowable, settable material. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Underground roadway support This invention relates to methods of and apparatus for supporting underground roadways.

In particular, although not exclusively the present invention relates to methods of and apparatus for supporting service roadways associated with working faces in underground mines.

At present it is almost universal practice to support service roadways with generally 'I' section arch beams installed at a frequent preset interval along the roadways. Wooden lagging boards or steel mesh or corrugated sheets usually are placed behind the arch beams to retain broken rock or mineral. The arch beams are assembled from two or three piece sections secured together by connecting plates and bolts.

Problems associated with the use of arch beams stem from the time required to assemble the heavy sections and to place the lagging behind the arch beams to efficiently close the gap existing between the arch beam and mine strata. In addition the cost of the arch beams is tending to become prohibitive.

An object of the present invention is to provide underground roadway support which tends to overcome or reduce the abovementioned problems.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of supporting an underground roadway comprises the steps of erecting relatively light weight panels around the cross-section defined by at least portions of the roadway sides and roof, at least a portion of each panel defining a recess between the associated panel and the mine strata, siting at least one collapsed bag in the defined recess, filling the or each bag with flowable, settable material, and allow the material to set.

Preferably, each panel comprises a mesh formation.

Advantageously, at least some of the panels comprise means for attaching the panels to a neighbouring preset panel.

Preferably, bracket means are provided for securing panels together during assembly.

Conveniently, the or at least some of the bags comprise finger formations extendible beyond the defined recess.

According to another aspect of the present invention apparatus for supporting an underground roadway comprises a plurality of relatively light weight panels capable of being connected together to provide an assembly extendible around at least a portion of the roadway sides and roof, at least a portion of each panel defining recess means such that, in use, when the panels are assembled within the roadway a recess is defined between the associated panel and the mine strata, and a bag having at least a portion adapted for accommodation in the recess, the bag being adapted to receive flowable, settable material.

Preferably, separate bags are associated with the panels respectively.

Preferably, each panel comprises a mesh formation.

Advantageously, at least some of the panels comprise hook means for attaching the panels to neighbouring preset panels.

By way of example, two embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an underground roadway supported in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a sectional view taken along line Il-Il of Figure 1 and shown on an enlarged scale; Figure 3 shows a detail of Figure 1 on an enlarged scale; Figure 4 shows an exploded view of a part of the detail of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a plan of a detail of Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a plan of another detail of Figure 4: and Figure 7 shows a sectional view similar to that of Figure 2 but showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view taken through an underground roadway 1 constituting a service roadway to a longwall face in an underground mine. The roadway has a generally horizontal flat mine floor 2 and a generally arch shaped side and roof profile 1 9.

The roadway is supported by a plurality of assembled support units each assembled unit is extendible around the arch profile of the roadway cross-section and comprises two side sections 3 and a roof section 4 secured to the uppermost ends of the side sections by bracket means 5 described in more detail later in this specification with reference to Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6. Each section comprises a relatively light weight mesh formation having generally horizontal and vertical strand members 6 and 7, respectively.

Figure 2 shows that a portion of each panel formation protrudes into the roadway away from the rock or mineral boundary to define an open sided recess 8, the open side being directed towards the rock or mineral boundary. During assembly of the support unit a collapsed bag 9 of deformable or flexible material is inserted in the recess 8 defined by each panel. Upon the support assembly being assembled the bags 9 are filled with a flowable, settable material, as for example quick setting cement such that the filled bags extend up to the rock or mineral boundary and fill the recess, thus closing the previously existing gap between the recessed portions of the panels and the adjacent rock or mineral boundary. Upon the material setting, the support unit provides immediate efficient support for the roadway.The set material provides rigid support all around the arch profile of the roadway and the non-recessed portions of each panel provides effective lagging tending to retain broken rock or mineral.

As seen in Figure 2 at least one side of each panel section is provided with hooks 11 for connecting the panel to previously set neighbouring panel sections.

Figure 3, 4, 5 and 6 show the aforementioned bracket means 5 securing together the panel sections of each assembled unit to comprise a base plate 12 having projections 1 3 for engagement through the gaps defined by the overlapping mesh formations and a threaded shank 14 for engagement by a top plate 1 5 having apertures 1 6 for receiving the projections 13 and by a locking nut 1 7. As indicated in Figure 3 the bracket means 5 provides an effective connector for the overlapping end portions of neighbouring panel sections.

Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of the present invention in which the generally rectangular bags 9 of the first described embodiment are replaced by bags 20 having finger formations 21 adapted to extend beyond the defined recess to at least partly close the previously existing gap between non-recessed portions of the panel sections and the rock or mineral boundary.

In other embodiments of the present invention the bags are integral with the panel sections.

In still other embodiments the hooks 11 may be replaced by any other suitable means for connecting the panels.

Claims

1. A method of supporting an underground roadway comprising the steps of erecting relatively light weight panels around the crosssection defined by at least portions of the roadway sides and roof, at least a portion of each panel defining a recess between the associated panel and the mine strata, siting at least one collapsed bag in the defined recess, filling the or each bag with flowable, settable material, and allowing the material to set.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein each panel comprises a mesh formation.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least some of the panels comprise means for attaching the panels to a neighbouring preset panel.

4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein bracket means are provided for securing panels together during assembly.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or at least some of the bags comprise finger formations extendible beyond the defined recess.

6. Apparatus for supporting an underground roadway comprising a plurality of relatively light weight panels capable of being connected together to provide an assembly extendible around at least a portion of the roadway sides and roof, at least a portion of each panel defining recess means such that, in use, when the panels are assembled within the roadway a recess is defined between the associated panel and the mine strata, and a bag having at least a portion adapted for accommodation in the recess, the bag being adapted to receive flowable, settable material.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which separate bags are associated with the panels respectively.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, in which each panel comprises a mesh formation.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6, 7 or 8, in which at least some of the panels comprise hook means for attaching the panels to neighbouring preset panels.

10. Apparatus according to claims 6, 7, 8 or 9, in which bracket means are provided for securing panels together during assembly.

11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 6 to 10, in which the or at least some of the bags comprise finger formations extendible beyond the defined recess.

12. A method of supporting an underground roadway substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 3. Apparatus for supporting an underground roadway substantially as described herein and substantially as shown in the accompanying drawings.