Underground » Strata Control and Windblasts
This project concerns the development of a new instrument that is cheap, reliable and capable of routinely determining accurately strata shear deformation. Data from this shear monitor can be used to help assess support performance under changing geological and loading conditions.
The data is important in that the shear component of roof deformation is not directly measured despite often being a cause of support and consequent roof failure. This can particularly be the case where high pre-mining horizontal stress fields exist or are subsequently induced by mining.
The instrument is self-contained and is installed in standard roof boltholes by mine staff without the need for any specialist training or equipment. The installation of the instruments does not disrupt or subsequently obstruct the mining process. Monitoring can occur from the time of installation.