Title: Seismic wave propagation in coal seams: finite element modelling and field tests

Authors: Hongliang Wang; Maochen Ge

Addresses: Newmont Mining Corporation, 6363 S. Fiddler's Green Circle, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, USA ' Missouri University of Science and Technology, 226 McNutt Hall, 1400 N. Bishop, Rolla, MO 65409-0450, USA

Abstract: In-seam seismic (ISS) refers to methods which utilise artificially generated channel waves trapped in coal seam to locate geologic disturbances and mine voids. It is one of the basic geophysical methods for underground survey. The advantage of ISS is that seismic energy is better preserved in coal seams and seismic waves can travel and be detected over much larger distances in comparison with body waves which radiate three-dimensionally. It is also convenient and reasonable to set up a two-dimensional model to study the wave propagation characteristics. Using a commercial finite element method (FEM) modelling software, both transmission and reflection tests were simulated. Field experiments of the ISS technology have been carried out at underground coal mines. The results demonstrated that two-dimensional FEM modelling appears to be a satisfactory approach for ISS simulation, and if used properly, ISS technology can successfully detect mine voids and geologic discontinuities.

Keywords: ISS; in-seam seismic; geophysical survey; finite element method; FEM; modelling; seismic propagation; seismic wave propagation; coal seams; geological disturbances; mine voids; coal mining; geological discontinuities.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2014.064482

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2014 Vol.5 No.3, pp.229 - 244

Received: 29 Nov 2012
Accepted: 02 Oct 2013
Published online: 27 Aug 2014 *

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