Verification of mine shaft models based on experimental measurements for calculation of drag coefficient

Mine shafts are the key points of mine ventilation networks as the most pressure generated by main mine fans is lost in air flow in the shafts. Thus, a critical mission is determination of drag coefficients in the shafts in the design of underground mine ventilation. The relevance of the problem is added up by the fact that shafts operate for the whole period of extraction of mineral reserves within the limits of a mine field, and sometimes the life of shafts is extended for the time of development of adjacent mine sites. The existing reference sources and scientific literature describe mine shafts as objects having individual sets of parameters: lining, reinforcement, stairways and pipeways. The drag coefficients are given in the guides for the shafts with a diameter of 5–7 m. Recently, for mining new mineral deposits, the projects assume access drilling of shafts with an inner diameter of 8–10 m. In view of the lack of reference data on the drag coefficients for such shafts, it is proposed to determine the drag coefficients for the project shafts using the CFD modeling methods including comparison of the numerical results and experimental measurements. In this research, the case study of two operating mine shafts demonstrates forecastability of the drag coefficients by the CFD modeling in ANSYS with the detailed layout of tubing support and reinforcement. The numerical modeling yields that the deviation of the drag coefficients from such calculations and experimental measurements is not higher than 8 %, which is within the limits of error of measurement equipment. So, the research findings allow a conclusion on reliability of the methodological approach of 3D stationary mathematical modeling for finding drag coefficients in project mine shafts. 

Maltsev S. V., Levin L. Y., Semin M. A., Bublik S. A. Verification of mine shaft models based on experimental measurements for calculation of drag coefficient. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2026;(10):71-83. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2026_10_0_71.

The study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation under a state contract, Topic Registration No. 126012716039-2.

S.V. Maltsev¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Head of Sector; Assistant Professor, Perm National Research Polytechnic University, 614990, Perm, Russia, e-mail: st.v.maltsev@ya.ru, ORCID ID: 0009-0002-9887-1455,
L.Y. Levin¹, Corresponding Member of Russian Academy of Sciences, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Head of Department, e-mail: aerolog_lev@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0767-9207, 
M.A. Semin¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Head of Laboratory, e-mail: seminma@inbox.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5200-7931,
S.A. Bublik¹, Junior Researcher, e-mail: serega-bublik@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-2084-0002,
¹ Mining Institute of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 614007, Perm, Russia.

S.V. Maltsev, e-mail: st.v.maltsev@ya.ru.

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