Framework and Application of a Big Data Monitoring System for Mining with a Pillar-Free Self-Forming Roadway.

The construction of a self-formed roadway without coal pillars is a new mining technology based on short-arm beam formation through roof cutting. With it, mining, tunneling and retaining roadway construction can be accomplished in a 'three-in-one' process that removes the need to dig in advance at the working face and to leave behind coal pillars. In order to realize real-time monitoring and warnings regarding rock pressure during this process, a big data monitoring system was developed based on quasi-distributed fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensing technology and cloud technology. Firstly, real-time monitoring data on the stress and strain of the underground surrounding rock-support system are obtained by FBG sensor and transmitted to the main computer of the above-ground monitoring and early warning system by using an underground industrial ring network. These data are then sent to a big data remote online real-time monitoring system. Through the deployment of a cloud server, authorized users can observe changes in force and movement in the rock surrounding the supporting system during coal mining and roadway formation from anywhere and at any time. The successful application of the system in the S1201-II working face of the Ning Tiaota Mine shows that this remote real-time monitoring system can enable timely and accurate field data acquisition, feedback real-time production information and achieve good monitoring performance. This study thus provides a scientific basis for ensuring safe mining with the coal pillar-free self-forming roadway method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]