Polymeric ground consolidation chemical testing and quantification of in-situ performance

The methods of design and ultimate effectiveness of ground consolidation programs to regain stability of longwall face strata conditions vary widely and are often based on previous site-based precedence or what was considered successful at other sites in similar situations. Little quantitative work has been undertaken on the actual in-situ performance of ground consolidation material or the geomechanical behaviour of the various chemical types.

This paper presents a summary of both laboratory material property testing and field-based quantification of rock mass improvement gained as a result of polymeric chemical injection, with a testing rational designed to quantify the polymeric chemical geomechanical properties, resin migration, zones of effectiveness, and quantification of the resultant rock mass improvement. This work program has recently been undertaken in conjunction with industry researchers, universities and across three longwall operations in the Bowen Basin.

The results may be used to provide rock mechanics engineers with data and methods to improve the engineering basis for ground consolidation design in terms of product selection, risk management, and expected rock mass performance under various mining conditions and application parameters.