Hi Colleague
We currently conducting research on shaft sinking. Can you please take a few minute of your time and answer the below questions.
1.Vertical shaft sinking methods and techniques have changed in the last 10 years or so. What are the main notable changes have you/your company experienced?
2.How have these changes impacted on the effectiveness and efficiency, and subsequently costs, in sinking Vertical Shafts
Comments
If you're interested in a historical perspective (including the past decade), CIM Magazine has a seven-part series up on exactly that topic, including data on the number of shafts sunk over the past few years.
Shaft sinking involves three main operations that are also made up of several interrelated unit activities and require careful planning, coordination and execution. The three main operations are:
Ground excavation (drilling, blasting, mucking, stripping and installation of temporary supports).
Construction of permanent lining or supports.
Equipping the shaft (installation of ladders, pipes, cables, etc.)
In coordinating the sequence of the main operations two methods are available:
The Alternate or Successive Method of Sinking and Lining; and
The Simultaneous/Parallel/Synchronous Method of Sinking and Lining
In the alternate method, sinking alternates with the erection of permanent lining or support.This method takes extra time for the sinking process.
In the case of the simultaneous method however, sinking and lining/supporting take place simultaneously either in the same section of the shaft or in different sections of the shaft .
In this case the work is so organized that while ground is excavated and temporary lining/support is set up in the lower section, permanent lining of say, concrete or steel is erected in the upper section above a protective platform or stage.