Identification of Potential Roof Problems Using LED Lighting & Numerical Modeling of Highwall Stability Using FLAC

The overall goals of this research task are not only to bring new technology into coal mining which improves miner safety, but to produce quality graduate students with advanced degrees in the field of ground control and rock mechanics. Since this is a five-year project, one student with a M.S. degree should be able to be produced assuming a 2.5 year duration. One Ph.D. student is expected to be produced during the five-year project period. Numerical Modeling of Highwall Stability The overall goals of this research task are to accurately model highwall stability with FLAC3D and determine the effects of ground vibrations due to blasting. As with the previous task, one student with a M.S. degree should be produced assuming this student begins at the conclusion of the M.S. student from 'Identification of Potential Roof Problems'. Again, this assumes a duration of 2.5 years for completion of the M.S. degree. One Ph.D. student is expected to be produced over the five-year project period. NOTE: In both tasks, it may be possible that the first M.S. individual has the intellectual curiosity to pursue a Ph.D. upon completion of the M.S. degree. If this scenario occurs, the production numbers listed above may not be applicable. It is also assumed that the Ph.D. student will begin from his/her B.S. and first receive the M.S. and then the Ph.D. The M.S. degree which the Ph.D. student receives is not counted in the total number of M.S. degrees produced.