Assessment of Sonic Waves and Tracer Gases as Non-Destructive Testing Methods to Evaluate the Condition and Integrity of In Situ Underground Mine Seals

Abstract

Since the MINER Act of 2006, the minimum static load of in-situ underground mine seals has been increased from 20-psi to either 50-psi if monitoring is conducted or 120-psi if left unmonitored. These minimum strength requirements in seals must be designed, built, and maintained throughout the lifetime of the seal. Due to this, it has become necessary to assess the effectiveness of non-destructive testing (NDT) technologies to determine seal integrity, which in this case, are explored using sonic waves and tracer gases. Through both small and large scale testing, two NDT methods will be evaluated for their abilities to determine integrity of the seal. A sonic wave technique to observe a change in wave velocity to identify faults within the seal material. As a NDT method, tracer gases may be used as a potential indicator of a connection between both sides of the seal material through a series of faults and cracks within the material itself. This paper reviews the history of underground mine seals and discusses the overall assessment of sonic waves and tracer gases to serve as NDT methods for estimating the integrity of these seals.

Meeting Name

Annual Meeting of Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (2014: Salt Lake City, UT)

Department(s)

Mining Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Sealants; Wave Propagation; Large Scale Testing; Non Destructive Testing; Nondestructive Testing Method; Potential Indicators; Seal Integrity; Seal Materials; Underground Mine; Wave Velocity; Nondestructive Examination

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

978-1632665263

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2014 Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2014

This document is currently not available here.

Share

 
COinS