Mining Product: AHSM - Analysis of Horizontal Stress Effects in Mining

• Crosscuts
• Entries
• Entry design
• Horizontal stress
• Longwall mining

AHSM is a software program for improving mine layouts for control of horizontal stress.

The download file is a self-extracting executable which will automatically run a setup program.

It is now widely accepted that horizontal stress is present nearly everywhere underground. Often it is more severe than the vertical stress. It is a major cause of roof control problems in underground mines.

Horizontal stress is generally more intense in some directions than others, so its effects can be minimized with proper entry orientation. AHSM contains two modules to improve mine layouts for control of horizontal stress. For development, the user specifies the orientations of the entries, the crosscuts, and the maximum horizontal stress. Angled crosscuts may be used, and the angles may be different for the right- and left-hand crosscuts. If site-specific stress measurements are not available, a drop-down menu allows the user to select from a menu of regional stress orientations. AHSM then shows the how the stress condition would vary as the entry and crosscut orientations are changed.

The second module is for longwall mining. Severe stress concentrations can make headgate conditions hazardous when the entries are improperly oriented. AHSM shows whether a particular longwall orientation and sequence of panel recovery places the headgate corner in a stress concentration or in stress relief. AHSM also estimates the magnitude of the stress concentration.

Release notes for version 2.4.04 (August 2013):

• Minor bug fixes
• Fixed operating system compatibility issues
• User interface improvements

Release notes for version 2.4.01 (October 2012):

• Recompiled with new libraries
• 16/32 bit controls have been replaced with 32/64 bit controls
• User interface improvements
• Program installer has been updated with more options and better checks for older installations
• Various bug fixes
• Tested for better functioning under Windows 7.