Performance prediction of roadheaders using the rock mass cuttability classification

Roadheaders are widely used for the excavation of roadways in coal mines. Knowing the performance roadheaders is very important for the planning of roadway projects and cost estimation. This paper is aimed at deriving estimation equations including rock mass cuttability classification (RMCC) index for both axial and transverse type roadheaders used in coal mines. An extensive field study was carried out in six different coal mines to measure the performances of roadheaders during the excavation of roadways. The strength of rock, the volumetric joint count, the strike and dip of joints, joint aperture, the Cerchar abrasivity index, and water ingress were also determined for the calculation of the RMCC index. The field and experimental data were assessed using the stepwise multiple regression analysis, and very strong performance estimation equations were derived for both axial and transverse type roadheaders. The validation of the developed models was done by statistical tests. It was revealed that the models are reasonable. Concluding remark is that the developed equations can be reliably used for the performance prediction of roadheaders used in coal mines.