Geologic feature prediction using roof bolter drilling parameters [electronic resource] /

by Mirabile, Benjamin T.

Geologic Feature Prediction Using Roof Bolter Drilling Parameters Benjamin T. Mirabile The design of a safe and efficient roof support system is essential for any underground coal mining operation. All underground coal mines in the United States install roof bolts with a roof bolter as the primary means of supporting the mine roof. Proper application of roof bolting is dependent upon knowledge of the mine roof geology. Recently developed control and data acquisition technologies allow the drilling performance of these roof bolters to be monitored on a real-time basis. Drilling data collected from these machines can be used to determine geological features present in the mine roof. A J.H. Fletcher & Co. roof bolter was fitted with an automated control and data acquisition system. Laboratory and underground tests were conducted to collect drilling data from both simulated and actual in-situ geological conditions. The data analysis methodology was tested using data collected from these drill holes.