The Role of Geo-mechanical Modelling in Solving Problems of Safety and Effectiveness of Mining Production

On the basis of the research works executed at the GIG, within the years 1960-2009, and subsequently published, the consecutive development stages of geo-mechanical modelling have been discussed – from the laboratory physical models, built of equivalent materials (in a scale of 1:50 or 1:25), through computer models (in a scale of 1:1) of the Finite Element Method, Boundary Element Method – to numerical models of continuous media (FLAC,), and of Distinct Element Method, including the Bonded Particle Model. In this respect, there have been accounted for the main technical – economic problems of underground mining, the solution of which the conducted research served. Consequently, there have been presented new, unpublished so far research result, marked out on the long numerical BPM model in a scale of 1:1 (with the measurements of vertical section of modelled coal seam, adjacent to the heading of the gallery being driven, of the size of 35 × 3,5 m) – relating to coal and methane outbursts, in the conditions of mining at large depths in the Upper Silesia Coal Basin. Special attention has been focused on the continuous, zonal (9 measuring zones) recording in the model of the variation course of specific physical characteristics of the face-adjacent part of the coal seam, whose recording possibly recording in the coal mine can provide the warning information on an approaching outburst, such as the local variable density of coal, horizontal thrust, and local destruction intensity of coal body (Sliding Fraction). There has also been discussed the role – in the outburst generation – of both free methane flowing across the unmined coal seam, and rapidly released through desorption of methane absorbed in coal. The conclusions concerning both further conducting of the research on models as well as in coal mine, and making use of research results in mining practice have been given.