317 / 2018-05-04 13:27:25

Hydrogeochemical modelling for corrosive environment enhancing premature failure of rock bolts and cable bolts in underground coal mines

water chemistry analysis,hydrogeochemical modelling,anchor bolts,stress corrosion cracking

矿山安全科学理论与应急救援 > 矿山设备安全

Anchor bolts are used extensively throughout underground mining operations. However, premature failures of anchor systems have been observed as a significant safety risk in mine operations around the world. According to the concept of Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC), three components including susceptible anchor bolts, a corrosive environment and tensile stress are important factors to induce premature failures. In this paper, a series of modelling based on hydrogeochemical methods combined with laboratory experiments were conducted for investigating anchor bolt corrosion and failures that are associated with aqueous environments in underground coal mines. Water chemistry data of groundwater released by a dripping rock bolt and a mineral assemblage consisting of FeS, Siderite, Goethite, Calcite, Pyrite and Haematite were used to perform bolt corrosion reaction simulations with the USGS PHREEQC code. This research provides interdisciplinary insights into corrosion failure of underground anchor bolts, with initial findings identifying that microbial activity influence chemical equilibrium in contact with mine water, and thus are important factors in stress corrosion cracking.