A FUZZY APPROACH TO SELECTING ROOF SUPPORTS IN LONGWALL MINING

Authors

  • Mustafa Emre Yetkin Dokuz Eylul University, Mining Engineering Department IZMIR/TURKEY
  • Ferhan Simsir Dokuz Eylul University, Mining Engineering Department IZMIR/TURKEY
  • Muharrem Kemal Ozfirat Dokuz Eylul University, Mining Engineering Department IZMIR/TURKEY
  • Pınar Mızrak Ozfirat Celal Bayar University, Industrial Engineering Department MANİSA/TURKEY
  • Hayati Yenice Dokuz Eylul University, Mining Engineering Department IZMIR/TURKEY

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7166/27-1-1366

Keywords:

Powered Roof Support Selection, Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process, Selection Problems

Abstract

As a decision-making problem, selecting proper machines and equipment plays a key role for mining sites and companies. Many factors affect this decision, and values belonging to these factors can be expressed numerically and/or non-numerically. In order to make the most appropriate decision, engineers must carry out an evaluation process that comprises all criteria that might affect decision-making. To achieve this, multi-criteria decision-making tools are used. As a result of technological developments, coal outputs in longwall mining have risen tremendously over the last decades, and longwall mechanisation has become unavoidable. The significance of powered roof supports in particular increases day- by-day, since the rate of roof support has to be in accordance with the rate of face advance in longwalls.

In this study, an integrated fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy goal programming model is used to select the most suitable powered roof supports. The procedure is applied to a real-life underground coal mine that is operated using the longwall method. Seven alternative powered roof supports are compared with each other, taking a total of 24 decision criteria under four main topics into account. In conclusion, the most suitable roof supports for the mine under study are determined and recommended to the decision-makers of the system. 

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Published

2016-05-10

How to Cite

Yetkin, M. E., Simsir, F., Ozfirat, M. K., Ozfirat, P. M., & Yenice, H. (2016). A FUZZY APPROACH TO SELECTING ROOF SUPPORTS IN LONGWALL MINING. The South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 27(1), 162–177. https://doi.org/10.7166/27-1-1366

Issue

Vol. 27 No. 1 (2016)

Section

Case Studies

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