Engineering Commons^™

Subsidence Resulting From Multiple-Seam Longwall Mining In The Western United States - A Characterization Study, United States Department Of The Interior, Bureau Of Mines

Mines and Mineral Resources

This report details the investigation of multiple-seam longwall subsidence conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Mines from 1978 to 1989. A field investigation monitored ground surface movements over four upper-seam longwall panels and six lower-seam panels. The characteristics of the subsidence occurring as a result of mining these panels are examined; in particular, the angle of draw, subsidence development, total magnitude and areal extent, and critical width are evaluated and discussed. Comparisons are also made between the characteristics of multiple-seam longwall subsidence and single-seam longwall subsidence that occurred at the same site.

Disintegration Of Wood, Marian Mazurkiewicz

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Disintegration of a body of organic material involving subjecting the body to liquid jet action with the energy of the liquid as it impacts on the body such as to effect disintegration of the body into particles.

A Nuclear Fragmentation Energy Deposition Model, John W. Wilson, D. M. Ngo, T. N. Forgarty, W. W. Buck

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A formalism for target fragment transport is presented with application to energy loss spectra in thin silicon devices. A nuclear database is recommended that agrees well with the measurements of P.J. McNulty et al. (1980) using surface barrier detectors. High-energy events observed by P.J. McNulty et al. (1981), which are not predicted by intranuclear cascade models, are well represented by this work

A Knowledge-Based Expert System For Managing Underground Coal Mines In The U.S., H. Singh, S. Yuan, C. M. Watts, J. M. Dean, N. P. Reddy, R. S. Nutter Jr., R. Larry Grayson

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Mine Management Support System which is being developed as a knowledge-based expert system for better management of underground coal mines, is presented. Concentrating on capturing the complex body of knowledge needed to enhance efficient management of a mine, it will encompass information and preferred rules on work scheduling, work practices, regulations impinging on the accomplishment of work, responses to operating problems, and the labor-management work agreement. Different components of the mine system, modeled using an object-oriented layering technique, are displayed graphically to aid in coordinating work plans and to present locations of equipment, supplies, and proposed subsystem components.

The History Of The Trinity Highway: A Study In Transportation Dynamics, Richard Wilutus

Books and Other Publications

Although the primary focus of this thesis is a history of California 299--the Trinity Highway, I have studied the construction of that road in the context of the history of transportation between Weaverville and Humboldt Bay. The history of a transportation network is not only a history of connections between people and places but also, in this remote region, the vital link connecting wilderness with civilization.

Ever since the settlement of the Weaverville area in 1848, its residents have sought reliable transportation to Humboldt Bay's seaport and merchandise. During this period a road has connected these two places for less …

Mining In Maine : Past, Present, And Future, Carolyn A. Lepage

Maine Collection

Mining in Maine : Past, Present, and Future

by Carolyn A. Lepage, Michael E. Foley, and Woodrow B. Thompson

Maine Geological Survey, Department of Conservation, Augusta, Me., 1990.

Contents: Introduction / The Early Years: Pre-Civil War / The Civil War to World War II / The War Years of the 1940's / The Postwar Years: 1940's to 1960 / The 1960's / The 1970's / Maine Mineral Resources Association / The 1980's / Current Mining and Exploration / Future Potential / Acknowledgments / References

The Development Of The Smelting Industry In The Central Salt Lake Valley Communities Of Midvale, Murray, And Sandy Prior To 1900, Charles E. Hughes

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis found that the three communities of Midvale, Murray, and Sandy were the center of the smelting industry in the Salt Lake Valley. These communities became the center of smelting because of their central location, the readily available water supply, and the availability of an inexpensive, efficient transportation system to ship the bullion. The smelters were surrounded by two major mountain ranges which provided a ready supply of good lead, silver, and copper ore.

The development of the smelting industry followed three separate phases or periods. The first phase was one of experimentation or period of discovery, in which …

Mine Warfare In The Russian And Soviet Navies, Jeffrey K. Bray

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

This thesis examines the development of technology, tactics, strategy, and organization of mine warfare in the Russian and Soviet navies from 1807 to the present. The author reviews the trials and tribulations of the development of naval mines and their employment within these two navies. This development has been primarily driven by the needs of war and advances of technology. In spite of occasional setbacks, the Russian and Soviet mine warfare forces continued to provide support to the overall naval and central policies of their respective governments. This support has often been during times of high tension and limited resources. …

Characteristic Surfaces For Three-Position Function Generation With Planar Four-Bar Mechanisms, Clark R. Barker, P. L. Tso

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper considers the relationship between the three-position function-generation problem and the solution space for planar four-bar mechanisms. The two infinities of solutions possible are mapped in a plane to determine the locations where particular types of mechanisms occur. It is possible to generate a contour in the mapping plane which joins together all solutions which possess a common characteristic in regard to their link lengths. This same contour can be displayed in the solution space to ascertain the overall characteristics of potential solutions to the design problem. A numerical example is used for illustrative purposes, but the results can …

Goes Imagery Fills Gaps In Montserrat Volcanic Cloud Observations, Mark A. Davies, William I. Rose

Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences Publications

GOES satellite imagery offers great potential to lessen the risk of volcanic ash clouds to aviation, and the situation at Montserrat in the Caribbean is providing the proof. Many transatlantic, commercial, and private aircraft use airspace around Montserrat, where the Soufriere Hills Volcano has been erupting since 1995.

Worldwide over the last 15 years, more than 80 airplanes have reported encountering volcanic ash along flight paths. Encounters cannot be avoided because onboard radar cannot detect fine-grained ash particles—those with a radius of 15 microns or less. In recent years volcanic cloud encounters are estimated to have caused hundreds of millions …

Mechanical Stemming Construction For Blast Holes And Method Of Use, Paul Nicholas Worsey

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A stemming construction for a blast hole loaded with an explosive charge, comprising a tapering wedge member dispersed in the blast hole outwardly of the explosive charge with its narrower end facing outwardly toward the mouth of the blast hole, and particulate stemming material in the blast hole outwardly of the wedge member. Detonation of the explosive drives the wedge member into the stemming material to wedge the stemming material against the walls of the blast hole. The wedge member is preferably cone-shaped and can be provided with a stabilizing rod to prevent it from tilting.

Common Characteristics Of Paired Volcanoes In Northern Central America, S. P. Halsort, William I. Rose

Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences Publications

Four pairs of active volcanoes along the northern Central American volcanic front have erupted basalt-andesite magmas that show consistent intrapair behavioral and compositional differences. These differences are found in records of volcanic activity and complete major and minor element data on over 200 samples. From northwest to southeast along the volcanic front the four volcano pairs are Cerro Quemado-Santa María, Tolimán-Atitlán, Acatenango-Fuego, and Santa Ana-Izalco. The volcano pair relations help explain compositional differences, apart from those reflecting variation in crustal thickness of about 15 km along the volcanic front, providing insight into across-arc variations and closely spaced subvolcanic plumbing systems. …

Direct Rate Measurements Of Eruption Plumes At Augustine Volcano: A Problem Of Scaling And Uncontrolled Variables, William I. Rose, Grant Heiken, Kenneth Wohletz, Dean Eppler, Sumner Barr, Theresa Miller, Raymond L. Chuan, R. B. Symonds

Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences Publications

The March–April 1986 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska, provided an opportunity to directly measure the flux of gas, aerosol, and ash particles during explosive eruption. Most previous direct measurements of volcanic emission rates are on plumes from fuming volcanoes or on very small eruption clouds. Direct measurements during explosive activity are needed to understand the scale relationships between passive degassing or small eruption plumes and highly explosive events. Conditions on April 3, 1986 were ideal: high winds, clear visibility, moderate activity. Three measurements were made: 1) an airborne correlation spectrometer (Cospec) provided mass flux rates of SO₂; 2) …

Operations-Based Training Strategy For Longwall Mining, R. Larry Grayson, Michael J. Klishis, Ronald C. Althouse, George M. Lies

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A system that can be used to pinpoint the specific training needs of operations and assist in the design and upgrading of focused training approaches can benefit longwall mining. It can be directed at systematically correcting performance discrepancies at an individual, crew, or mine level, and also to challenge workers and management toward attaining improved performances. Such an approach involves a combination of features, such as diligence in monitoring and evaluating performances, thorough coordination in implementing changes, and effective use of operational data.

The Bureau of Mines, through contract with the Mining Extension Service of West Virginia University, has developed …

Knowledge Organization And Inference Engine For The Wvu Face Decision Support System, S. Carrow, R. S. Nutter Jr., R. S. Raman, N. A. Reddy, Y. V. Reddy, R. Larry Grayson

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The knowledge-based organization for the West Virginia University Face Decision Support System is given, along with the initial development of the associated inference engine. The knowledge base contains generic knowledge about underground coal mines that utilize continuous miners. A typical knowledge entry is given, and the inference engine methodology is explained. The engine utilizes this knowledge with data from monitoring systems and from interaction with the section foreman, to assist in making section management decisions and plans.

Three-Position Function Generation Of Planar Four-Bar Mechanisms With Equal Deviation Transmission Angle Control, Clark R. Barker, Gwo Huey Shu

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper is an extension of earlier work on mapping of three-position function generation of planar four-bar mechanisms. Previously, it has been shown that all of the potential solutions to a given problem may be represented in an aft plane which can be subdivided into mechanism types. Further, the regions in the aft plane may represent two possible forms of assembly plus a change of form class which are not valid solutions. In this paper, we provide a third-order polynomial which defines the locus in the aft-plane of solutions which have equal deviation of their transmission angle from the ideal …

Disintegration Of Wood, Marian Mazurkiewicz

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Disintegration of wood especially for production of wood pulp for making paper, involving subjecting a body of wood, more particularly a debarked log, to liquid jet action with the energy of the liquid as it impacts on the body such as to effect disintegration of the body into particles.

Three-Position Function Generation Of Planar Four-Bar Mechanisms With Equal Deviation Transmission Angle Control, Clark R. Barker, Gwo Huey Shu

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In an earlier work, it has been shown that all of the potential solutions to a given problem may be represented in an αβ-plane which can be subdivided into mechanism types. Further, the regions in the αβ-plane may represent two possible forms of assembly plus a change of form class which are not valid solutions. In this paper, we provide a third-order polynomial which defines the locus in the αbeta-plane of solutions which have equal deviation of their transmission angle from the ideal of 90° throughout the entire range of motion. When these solutions are mapped into a Cartesian plane, …

Characteristic Surfaces For Three-Position Motion Generation With Planar Four-Bar Mechanisms, Clark R. Barker, J. Baumann

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper considers the relationship between the three-position motion generation problem and the solution space for planar four-bar mechanisms. After one half of the basic four bar had been selected, two infinities of solutions still remained. These solutions are mapped in a plane to determine where the particular types of mechanisms occur. A contour is then generated in the mapping plane which joins together all solutions which share a common characteristic in regard to their link lengths. This same contour can be displayed in the solution space and in the Cartesian plane in which the motion generation is defined. Significant …

Characteristic Surfaces For Three-Position Motion Generation With Planar Four-Bar Mechanisms., Clark R. Barker, J. Baumann

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper considers the relationship between the three-position motion generation problem and the solution space for planar four-bar mechanisms. After one half of the basic four bar had been selected, two infinities of solutions still remained. These solutions are mapped in a plane to determine where the particular types of mechanisms occur. A contour is then generated in the mapping plane which joins together all solutions which share a common characteristic in regard to their link lengths. This same contour can be displayed in the solution space and in the Cartesian plane in which the motion generation is defined.

Characteristic Surfaces For Three Position Function Generation With Planar Four Bar Mechanisms, Clark R. Barker, P. L. Tso

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper considers the relationship between the three-position function generation problem and the solution space for planar four bar mechanisms. The two infinities of solutions possible are mapped in a plane to determine the locations where particular types of mechanisms occur. It is possible to generate a contour in the mapping plane which joins together all solutions which possess a common characteristic in regard to their link lengths. This same contour can be displayed in the solution space to ascertain the overall characteristics of potential solutions to the design problem. A numerical example is used for illustrative purposes, but the …

Integrated Detonator Delay Circuits And Firing Console, Lawson J. Tyler, Paul Nicholas Worsey

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A detonation system for use with supply of electrical energy has user operable firing console for selectably transmitting unit identification information, firing delay time information and selections from a command set including Output, Delay, Fire (Time), Abort, Power Up (Arm), Input, and Store. The console displays responses or information digested from responses by electrical delay detonators to the commands. The detonators have explosive, a capacitor for storing energy from the supply to set off the explosive, circuitry for charging the capacitor from the supply and transferring the energy from the capacitor to the explosive in response to first and second …

Dynamic Deformation Of Volcanic Ejecta From The Toba Caldera: Possible Relevance To Cretaceous/Tertiary Boundary Phenomena, Neville L. Carter, Charles B. Officer, Craig A. Chesner, William I. Rose

Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences Publications

Plagioclase and biotite phenocrysts in ignimbrites erupted from the Toba caldera, Sumatra, show microstructures and textures indicative of shock stress levels higher than 10 GPa. Strong dynamic deformation has resulted in intense kinking in biotite and, with increasing shock intensity, the development in plagioclase of planar features, shock mosaicism, incipient recrystallization, and possible partial melting. Microstructures in quartz indicative of strong shock deformation are rare, however, and many shock lamellae, if formed, may have healed during post-shock residence in the hot ignimbrite; they might be preserved in ash falls. Peak shock stresses from explosive silicic volcanism and other endogenous processes …

Experimental Investigation Of The Effect Of Geological Discontinuity Conditions Of Rock Splitting By Blasting, Shijie Qu

Masters Theses

"A series of modal scale, two borehole splitting test blasts was geometrically designed both with concrete and with Plexiglas. The discontinuities were all symetrically located midway between split holes and were oriented perpendicular to the desired split plane. Sand and clay filled discontinuities of 1/16, 1/8 and 1/4 inch width, and closed discontinuities were used. Both discontinuity frequency and width generally reduced the maximum successful split-hole spacing. The regularity and integrity of the split profile became poorer as the discontinuities were closer to the boreholes and the discontinuity width became greater, due to the cratering effect which occurred from the …

Operating Under New Laws Pertaining To Mineral Development On Indian Lands, B. Reid Haltom

Public Lands Mineral Leasing: Issues and Directions (Summer Conference, June 10-11)

89 pages.

Contains 8 attachments:

1) Indian Mineral Development Act of 1982, Public Law 97-382 - Dec. 22, 1982.

2) Proposed BIA Regulations, 25 C.F.R. 225 and 211, Federal Register, Vol. 48, No. 134, Tuesday, July 12, 1983.

3) Billings Area Office Procedures.

4) Flow Chart.

5) Oil and Gas Exploration Joint Venture Agreement.

6) Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982, Public Law 97-451 [H.R. 5121], January 12, 1983.

7) 30 C.F.R., Part 210, 212, 217, 218, 219, 228, 229, 241, 243, Federal Register, Vol. 49, No. 185, Friday, September 21, 1984.

8) 43 C.F.R., Part 3160, …

Diligence Requirements Under The Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act Of 1975, Gail L. Wurtzler

Public Lands Mineral Leasing: Issues and Directions (Summer Conference, June 10-11)

51 pages.

Contains references.

Readjustment Of Federal Coal Leases, Marilyn S. Kite

Public Lands Mineral Leasing: Issues and Directions (Summer Conference, June 10-11)

19 pages.

Contains references.

Getting The Coal Leasing Program Back On Track: The Linowes Commission And Beyond, Sandra L. Blackstone

Public Lands Mineral Leasing: Issues and Directions (Summer Conference, June 10-11)

37 pages.

Contains 2 pages of references.

Leases For Other Minerals: Recent Developments, Thomas F. Cope

Public Lands Mineral Leasing: Issues and Directions (Summer Conference, June 10-11)

14 pages.

Contains references.

State And Local Regulation Affecting Public Lands Mineral Lease Activities: What Are The Limits?, Lawrence J. Macdonnell

Public Lands Mineral Leasing: Issues and Directions (Summer Conference, June 10-11)

27 pages.

Contains references.