The U.S. Office of Surface Mining (OSM) Proposed Strength-Durability Classification System

by Robert A. Welsh, Jr., U.S. Office of Surface Mining, Denver, United States,
Luis E. Vallejo, U.S. Office of Surface Mining, Denver, United States,
C. W. Lovell, U.S. Office of Surface Mining, Denver, United States,
Michael K. Robinson, U.S. Office of Surface Mining, Denver, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Detection of and Construction at the Soil/Rock Interface

Abstract:

Federal regulations for the surface mining of coal stress proper design and construction of stable waste rock disposal areas. A key to the long-term stability of these excess spoil fills is accurate characterization of rock strength and durability. The present study of 115 bulk overburden samples collected from 61 mine sites was designed to develop testing methods and a classification system that will more accurately identify weak, non-durable Appalachian rock in a timely and cost-effective manner. The Office of Surface Mining (OSM) rock strength-durability classification identifies rock that is likely to degrade to finer material in durable rock fills and rock drains when subjected to gravity loading by the fill mass and swelling strains induced by infiltrated water.

Subject Headings: Mine wastes | Coal mining | Rock mechanics | Strength of materials | Rock fills | Rocks | Material durability | Appalachian

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