NumericalModelingofRockRidgeBreakageinRotary.PDFVIP

NUMERICAL MODELING OF ROCK RIDGE BREAKAGE IN ROTARY CUTTING B. Yu Agapito Associates, Inc., Grand Junction, Colorado, USA A. W. Khair West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA ABSTRACT: In this paper, the finite element code LS-DYNA 3D was chosen as the simulation tool to study the rotary rock cutting process. By using an Automated Rotary Rock Cutting Simulator as the prototype, a numerical model of a continuous miner was developed. The rock grooves cut by the bits in the numerical model were used to investigate the rock ridge failure mechanism. The numerical study indicated that shear breakage acted as the dominant mechanism in ridge removal. Drum speed, depth of cut and multiple bit inter- action have minimal effects on the groove width. For a given bit pattern, Young’s modulus and Poisson ratio of the rock are two major parameters affecting the ridge removal. 1 INTRODUCTION 2 NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF ROTARY ROCK CUTTING Rotary cutting machines, such as continuous miners and shears are widely utilized in under- An Automated Rotary Rock Cutting Simulator ground soft rock mining (e.g. coal mining and salt (ARCCS) shown in Figure 2.1 was chosen as the mining). These machines usually use cylinder- prototype for the numerical model. This simulator shaped cutting drums on which bits are laced based has been used to conduct rock cutting experiments on certain patterns. During work, the rotating drum for twenty years at West Virginia University and sumps into the rock face with bits cutting the rock. vast experimental data can be used directly to cali- Breakage of the rock ridges between the bits occurs