The evolution of steel frame sets for longwall development drifts

Abstract

The article presents the development of steel frame sets produced for mining purposes by Huta Łabędy S.A., intended for securing gallery workings, and longwall development drifts in particular. In recent decades, longwall development drift support has evolved in terms of characteristics such as its shape. The initially utilised rectangular frames and typical widened ŁP frames were replaced with flat frames based on ŁP arches (ŁPKO), and subsequently with special frame sets adapted to the shape of powered support units. The intermediate frame shape obtained in this way was a compromise between the rectangular (beneficial from the perspective of longwall equipment and development) and the arching design (beneficial due to the high load-bearing parameters).