ABSTRACT

The paper describes a component of the results from a research project conducted in the West Coalfield of NSW, Australia. The results discussed herein are the outcomes from a comprehensive laboratory investigation related to the moisture and underground water effects on the geomechanical characteristics of roof laminated mudstone in longwall roadway. The results clearly demonstrated that how moisture and underground water affect the geomechanical properties of mudstone, the procedure of water absorption of mudstone, and the effect of water induced discontinuity on strength of laminated mudstone. It found that the geomechanical deterioration of mudstone under effect of water was strongly related to the percentage of clay mineral constituent, and the number of discontinuity within the massive mudstone.