From flooded workings, a regulated release of water with a large hydrostatic head can be ensured by reliably determining the size of the pillar left between the flooded working and the face of the crosscut, along which the water is planned to be discharged. To calculate the size of the pillar, it is necessary to know the compressive strength of rocks, which is usually determined on samples at natural moisture content.

The zone of inelastic deformations resulting from the driving of mine workings, as is known, is characterized in most cases by cracking developing over time. On the other hand, after a certain period of time, the fracturing of rocks may decrease due to their compaction, i.e. the closure of cracks.

The initial parameters in solving problems related to the manifestations of rock pressure are rock strength indicators. The main one is the compressive strength. As a rule, it is determined in the laboratory on samples of the rocks under study. There are also known production methods that allow determining the ultimate strength directly on the surface of rock outcrop (face, wall of excavation, roof) or at some distance from the excavation contour, in a borehole. However, these methods are imperfect, labor-intensive and complex ...