Numerical analysis of impact load of arch yielding support

Bumping is one of the natural hazards that occur in Polish collieries. It is a common phenomenon but difficult to predict and very often it causes huge losses in mining equipment and roadway structure. Death of miners working underground is most severe result of bumping. To reduce or even to eliminate results of bumping, especially fatal cases, many safety measures have been used. Frame of arch support is one of the measures applied to reduce dangerous results of bumping. Simulation test ofimpact load of arch yielding support was presented in the paper. The simulation of support load was realized in two stages. Static load of frame of yielding arch support was simulated at the first stage. Among others simulation of assembly of arch support components was carried out. Non-linear simulation, including contact phenomena, was conducted for that purpose. First stage of the task was realized in MSC.Marc/Mentat software Structure of yielding arch support was dynamically loaded at the second stage. The forcing corresponded to real dynamic loads that werefound in mine workings. Second stage of the task was realized in MSC.Dytran software The results of simulations carried out at the KOMAG Institute of Mining Technology were compared with the results of tests of arch supports, which were realized at the Central Mining Institute.