Numerical analysis of application for induction caving roof

New method for handling roof of the base successive mining is proposed, which is induction caving in the roof. The key is that it is made certain to the station of the space-time in the induction caving roof, as the stress is released with the mining process. And applying the catastrophe theory, the influencing factors of induction caving roof are studied in the emptied areas, such as the mechanical property of the surrounding rock, the area of the gob,the scope and dimension of tensile stress. The results show that the key factor is the area of the gob to the method of the induction caving roof. Then according to the geology and the ore characteristic, the three dimension FEM mechanical model is built in Tongkeng Mine, the laws of the tensile stress are analyzed to the space and the time in the roof with the mining, then it is rational design to the mine step and time of the handing the roof.     

Measurement of overburden failure zones in close-multiple coal seams mining

In the Kaiping Coal field, mining of five coal seams, located within 80 m in the Kailuan Group, #5, #7, #8,#9 and #12 coal seam, is difficult due to small interburden thickness, concentrated stress distributions,high coal seam metamorphism, and complex geological conditions. By using the ZTR12 geological penetration radar(GPR) survey combined with borehole observations, the overburden caving due to mining of the five coals seams was measured. The development characteristics of full-cover rock fractures after mining were obtained from the GPR scan, which provides a measurement basis for the control of rock strata in close multiple coal seam mining. For the first time, it was found that the overburden caving pattern shows a periodic triangular caved characteristic. Furthermore, it is proposed that an upright triangular collapsed pile masonry and an inverted triangular with larger fragments piled up alternately appear in the lower gob. The research results show that the roof structure formed in the gob area can support the key overlying strata, which is beneficial to ensure the integrity and stability of the upper coal seams in multiple-seam mining of close coal seams.     

“三软”厚煤层瓦斯抽放方法研究

告成煤矿的主采二1煤层属典型“三软”厚煤层,回采工作面隅角和回风流中瓦斯体积分数超限的主要原因是采空区瓦斯涌出过多,采取顶板岩石钻孔的方法对采空区冒落带及冒落裂隙带的瓦斯进行抽放,降低了回采工作面隅角和回风流中的瓦斯体积分数,避免了采煤工作面隅角和回风流瓦斯体积分数超限,同时克服了工作面风速超限的问题.实践表明,顶板岩石钻孔抽放冒落带及冒落裂隙带的瓦斯,是解决“三软”厚煤层瓦斯超限的有效途径.     

Spontaneous caving and gob-side entry retaining of thin seam with large inclined angle

Based on the research method of combining simulation analysis with field testing by distinct element process UDEC, we have analyzed the roof deformation and failure laws and roadway support technology of gob-side entry retaining in a thin seam with a large inclined angle. The results show that during exploitation in seams with large inclined angle, rotational subsidence of the main roof under the gob area is small and can maintain balance, so there is no need to provide artificial permanent support resistance for the main roof near the upper side to control rotational subsidence. Obstructed by the dense scrap rail, waste rock from the immediate roof caving slides from the upper gob area to the lower area and fills it, which strikes a balance between the immediate roof under the goaf after it fractures into large pieces and filling waste rocks.     

Feasibility analysis of gob-side entry retaining on a working face in a steep coal seam

Based on the decline in exploitation of coal resources, steep coal seam mining and mining face tensions continue to explore the feasibility analysis of steeply inclined faces in the gob. One of the key factors in utilizing the technology of gob-side entry retaining in steep coal seams is to safely and effectively prevent caving rock blocks from rushing into the gob-side entry by sliding downwards along levels. Using theoretical analysis and field methods, we numerically simulated the mining process on a fully-mechanized face in a steep coal seam. The stress and deformation process of roof strata has been analyzed, and the difficulty of utilizing the technology is considered and combined with practice in a steep working face in Lvshuidong mine. The feasibility of utilizing the technology of gob-side entry retaining in a steep coal seam has been recognised. We propose that roadways along the left lane offshoot body use a specially-made reinforced steel dense net to build a dense rock face at the lower head. The results show that the lane offshoot branch creates effective roof control, safe conditions for roadway construction workers, and practical application of steeply inclined gob.     

Synergistic instability of coal pillar and roof system and filling method based on plate model

The security challenges from room and pillar gobs include land subsidence, spontaneous combustion of coal pillars and mine flood caused by gob water. To explore the instability mechanism of room and pillar gob, we established a mechanical model of elastic plate on elastic foundation in which pillars and hard roofs were considered as continuous Winkler foundations and elastic plates, respectively. The synergetic instability of pillar and roof system was analyzed based on plate bending theory and catastrophe theory. In addition, mechanical conditions and math criterion of roof failure and overall instability of coal pillar and roof system were given. Through analyzing both advantages and disadvantages of some technologies such as induced caving, filling, gob sealing and isolation, we presented a new filling method named box-filling, in view of box foundation theory, to control the disasters of ground collapse, water inrush and mine fire. In a gob’s treatment project in Ordos, safety assessment and filling design of a room and pillar gob have been done by the mechanical model. The results show that the gob will collapse when the pillars’ average yield band is wider than 0.93 m, and box-filling can control land collapse, mine flood and mine fire economically and efficiently. So it is worth to study further and popularize.     

Stress environment of entry driven along gob-side through numerical simulation incorporating the angle of break

Angle of break(AOB) is the acute angle created by the coal seam bedding plane and caving line formed by roof strata movement after extraction of a longwall panel. It has a significant influence on stress redistribution both in the gob and abutment. Throughout numerical simulation investigations up to now, little attention has been paid to it or an AOB of 90° was used, which however, is not realistic. This paper presents a detailed numerical modelling incorporating the AOB against Zhenchengdi Coal Mine. The AOB was obtained through cross-measure boreholes. Hoek-Brown constitutive model was used to simulate the rock masses. Double-yield constitutive model, which was best fitted by Salamon's model, was used to simulate the gob. The results show that a ‘‘/\ shape" shear failure zone develops around the gob. The shear failure in the floor along the panel edge is due to opposite shear of rock mass on two sides of the caving line, and the number of yielded zones within the gob floor close to the gob edge is smaller.According to the research, the entry was determined to be driven under the gob edge employing splitlevel longwall panel layout(SLPL). The other numerical simulation for SLPL shows that stress around the god-side entry is much smaller than pre-mining stress, and the area of intact rock mass at the elevating section is larger than conventional layout. Numerical modelling was then validated by field observation.     

Analysis of stability of support and surrounding rock in mining top coal of inclined coal seam

The study analyzes the characteristics of roof movement in mining top coal of inclined coal seam, and establishes the mechanical model of support and surrounding-rock stability in inclined coal seam. Besides, this study carries out the numerical calculation and field observation of roof movement and support stability, and provides the critical control measures. The results show that the fracture firstly appears in middle-upper roof and extends upwards in top coal caving in inclined coal seam; regular and irregular caving zones appear in middle-upper stress concentration region, and the asymmetric caving arch is finally formed. Support load of middle-upper working face is larger than that of the middle-lower face; dynamic load coefficient of upper support is large, and the load on the front of support is larger than that on the rear of it, which leads to poor support stability. Stability of support and surrounding-rock system depends mainly on upper-support stability.     

Rock mechanical investigation of strata loading characteristics to assess caving and requirement of support resistance in a mechanized powered support longwall face

Longwall mining is one of the most acclaimed and widely used in underground method for coal extraction. The interaction of powered supports with the roof is the key issue in strata mechanics of longwall mining. Controlled caving of rock mass is a prerequisite pro thriving exploitation of coal deposits by longwall retreat with caving technique and support resistance has evolved as the most promising and effective scientific tool to predict various aspects related to strata mechanics of such workings. Load density,height of caving block, distance of fractured zone ahead of the face, overhang of goaf and mechanical strength of the debris above and below the support base have been found to influence the magnitude of load on supports. Designing powered support has been attempted at the different countries in different methods. This paper reviews the mechanism of roof caving and the conventional approaches of caving behaviour and support resistance requirement in the context of major strata control experiences gained worldwide. The theoretical explanation of the mechanism of roof caving is still continuing with consistently improved understanding through growing field experiences in the larger domain of geo-mining conditions and state-of-art strata mechanics analysis and monitoring techniques.     

Rock burst mechanism analysis in an advanced segment of gob-side entry under different dip angles of the seam and prevention technology

In order to investigate the frequent occurrences of rock burst in gob-side entry during the mining process of the mining zone No. 7, the mechanical model of main roof of fully-mechanized caving mining before breaking was established by the Winkler foundation beam theory, and the stress evolution law of surrounding rock with different dip angles of the seam during the mining process was analyzed by using FLAC3 D. The results show that: with the dip angle changing from 45° to 0°, the solid-coal side of gobside entry begins to form an L-shaped stress concentration zone at a dip angle of 30°, and the stress concentration degree goes to higher and higher levels. However, the stress concentration degree of the coalpillar side goes to lower and lower levels; the influence range and peak stress of the abutment at the lateral strata of adjacent gob increase with dip angle decreasing and reach a maximum value at a dip angle of 0°, but the tailgate is not affected; the abutment pressure superposition of two adjacent gobs leads to stress concentration further enhancing in both sides of gob-side entry. With the influence of strong mining disturbance, rock burst is easily induced by dynamic and static combined load in the advanced segment of gob-side entry. To achieve stability control similar to that in the roadway, the key control strategy is to reinforce surrounding rock and unload both sides. Accordingly, the large-diameter drilling and high-pressure water injection combined unloading and reinforced support cooperative control technology was proposed and applied in field test. The results of Electromagnetic Emission(EME) and field observation showed that unloading and surrounding rock control effect was obvious.     

Similar material simulation of time series system for induced caving of roof in continuous mining under backfill

With the help of similar material simulation test,time series system for induced caving of roof in continuous mining under complex backfill in ore body No.92 of Tongkeng Tin Mine was studied. According to the similarity theory,a two-dimensional similar simulation test-bed was constructed. The stress and displacement that change along with the advance of mining were acquired and analyzed automatically by data system. The processes of continuous mining of ore-block in 5 intervals and artificial induced caving of roof were simulated. The results of the test show that ore body remained as safety roof in thickness of 15 m guarantees the safe advance of stoping work face. Caving of safety roof puts in practice at the first two mining intervals when the third interval of continuous mining is finished,and one interval as the safety distance should be kept all the time between stopping and caving. While mining in the last interval,pre-slotting should be implemented first of all,and the roof of the last two mining intervals is caved simultaneously. Only this kind of time series system can be an efficient and safe way for induced caving of roof in continuous mining.     

Mechanics criterion and factors affecting overburden stability in solid dense filling mining

The effect of controlling strata movement in solid filling mining depends on the filling rate of the goaf.However, the mechanical property of the overburden in the backfill stope and the designed size of the backfill mining workface should also be considered. In this study, we established a main roof strata model with loads in accordance with the theory of key strata to investigate the stability of the overburden in solid dense filling mining. We analyzed the stress distribution law of the main roof strata based on elastic thin plate theory. The results show that the position of the long side midpoint of the main roof strata failed more easily because of tensile yield, indicating that this position is the area where failure is likely to occur more easily. We also deduced the stability mechanics criterion of the main roof strata based on tensile yield criterion. The factors affecting the stability of the overburden in solid dense filling mining were also analyzed, including the thickness and elasticity modulus of the main roof strata, overlying strata loads, advanced distance and length of workface, and elastic foundation coefficient of backfill body.The research achievements can provide an important theoretical basis for determining the designed size of the solid dense filling mining workface.     

Geotechnical considerations for concurrent pillar recovery in close-distance multiple seams

Room-and-pillar mining with pillar recovery has historically been associated with more than 25% of all ground fall fatalities in underground coal mines in the United States.The risk of ground falls during pillar recovery increases in multiple-seam mining conditions.The hazards associated with pillar recovery in multiple-seam mining include roof cutters, roof falls, rib rolls, coal outbursts, and floor heave.When pillar recovery is planned in multiple seams, it is critical to properly design the mining sequence and panel layout to minimize potential seam interaction.This paper addresses geotechnical considerations for concurrent pillar recovery in two coal seams with 21 m of interburden under about 305 m of depth of cover.The study finds that, for interburden thickness of 21 m, the multiple-seam mining influence zone in the lower seam is directly under the barrier pillar within about 30 m from the gob edge of the upper seam.The peak stress in the interburden transfers down at an angle of approximately 20°away from the gob, and the entries and crosscuts in the influence zone are subjected to elevated stress during development and retreat.The study also suggests that, for full pillar recovery in close-distance multiple-seam scenarios,it is optimal to superimpose the gobs in both seams, but it is not necessary to superimpose the pillars.If the entries and/or crosscuts in the lower seam are developed outside the gob line of the upper seam,additional roof and rib support needs to be considered to account for the elevated stress in the multiple-seam influence zone.     

Simulation of recovery of upper remnant coal pillar while mining the ultra-close lower panel using longwall top coal caving

With the depletion of easily minable coal seams, less favorable reserves under adverse conditions have to be mined out to meet the market demand. Due to some historical reasons, large amount of remnant coal was left unrecovered. One such case history occurred with the remnant rectangular stripe coal pillars using partial extraction method at Guandi Mine, Shanxi Province, China. The challenge that the coal mine was facing was that there is an ultra-close coal seam right under it with an only 0.8–1.5 m sandstone dirt band in between. The simulation study was carried out to investigate the simultaneous recovery of upper remnant coal pillars while mining the ultra-close lower panel using longwall top coal caving(LTCC). The remnant coal pillar was induced to cave in as top coal in LTCC system. Physical modelling shows that the coal pillars are the abutments of the stress arch structure formed within the overburden strata. The stability of overhanging roof strata highly depends on the stability of the remnant coal pillars. And the gob development(roof strata cave-in) is intermittent with the cave-in of these coal pillars and the sandstone dirt band. FLAC3 D numerical modelling shows that the multi-seam interaction has a significant influence on mining-induced stress environment for mining of lower panels. The pattern of the stress evolution on the coal pillars with the advance of the lower working face was found. It is demonstrated that the stress relief of a remnant coal pillar enhances the caveability of the pillars and sandstone dirt band below.     

急斜煤层分段放顶煤开采合理段高选择研究

为确定急斜煤层水平分段综放开采条件下工作面段高的合理取值,将开采后裸露顶板岩层简化为三边固支的矩形薄板,采用薄板破断理论对受横向和纵向载荷作用下的斜置矩形薄岩板进行力学分析.研究表明:岩板走向长度、倾斜长度、岩层倾角、覆岩载荷及泊松比是影响段高取值的5个主要因素.应以在工作面上方采空区煤矸体沿着顶煤采出后形成的槽形采空区域下移前岩板不发生沿根部折断为极限段高的选择标准.工作面合理段高取值分为3类:第Ⅰ类煤层倾角45°～55°,取值在29 m范围内;第Ⅱ类55°～75°,取值在51 m范围内;第Ⅲ类75°～90°,该范围内开采工艺及设备选择对合理段高取值的影响更为重要.     

Breaking mechanism and control technology of sandstone straight roof in thin bedrock stope

The key problem to be solved urgently is how to avoid the occurrence of support break-off and water inrush in the stoping of sandstone straight roof under the action of load transfer in unconsolidated aquifer. For this reason, taking the thin bedrock 1602(3) working face of Huainan(the middle part of Anhui Province) Panyi Coal Mine as the engineering background, this study establishes the stope mining model by using the discrete element UDEC software and the mathematics mechanical model of the support load,and analyzes the reason of support crushing and decides to re-mining the working face by using the compulsive roof caving method. It is concluded that when the working face of sandstone straight roof is broken, the ‘‘voussoir beam" structure cannot be formed and acts on the support in the form of cantilever beam, but only when it falls to the high key stratum can the ‘‘voussoir beam" structure be formed and at this point, at this time, the bracket bears the weight of the rock layer in the range from the fractured sandstone layer to the lower critical layer. The working resistance of the support increases with the increase of the thickness and the breaking length of straight sandstone roof. When the breaking length of the roof reaches a certain extreme value, the support crushing accidents will occur. Managing roof with compulsive roof caving method can reduce the intensity of rock pressure in the stope, and the working face can be safely stoped, which provides a certain reference for similar conditions.     

急倾斜煤层开采诱发地表裂缝数值模拟

为了研究急倾斜煤层开采诱发地表裂缝的演化过程,探讨急倾斜煤层开采诱发地裂缝分布规律.利用可描述拉张破裂的有限元方法,对地表裂缝演化过程进行数值模拟.结果显示:最大拉应力集中在地表,地表优先于采空区破裂,采空区下山方向对应的地表一侧形成裂缝.急倾斜煤层开采地表和采空破裂的顺序与水平、倾斜煤层的破坏顺序相反.煤层倾角很陡时,地表先破裂到一定程度后,采空区才开始破裂.煤层倾角很缓或水平时,采空区先破裂,之后地表才破裂.     

Mechanical analysis of roof stability under nonlinear compaction of solid backfill body

Based on the compaction characteristic test and the nonlinear compaction deformation characteristics of backfill material, this paper applies the theory of nonlinear elastic foundation of thin plate to establish a mechanical model of backfill body and roof in solid dense backfill coal mining. This study critically analyses the deflection equation of the roof by the energy method, derives the conditions of roof breakage and combined with concrete engineering practice analyses, determines roof movement regularity and stability in solid dense backfill mining. Analysis of the engineering practice of the 13,120 backfill panel of Pingmei 12# mine shows the theoretical maximum of roof convergence in backfill mining to be415 mm which is in significant agreement with the measured value. During the advancing process of solid backfill mining at the panel, the maximum tensile stress on the roof is less than its tensile strength which does not satisfy the conditions for roof breakage. Drilling results on the roof and ground pressure monitoring show that the integrity of roof is strong, which is consistent with the theoretical calculations described in this study. The results presented in the study provide a basis for further investigation into strata movement theory in solid dense backfill mining.     

Relationship between water inrush from coal seam floors and main roof weighting

A water-resistant key strata model of a goaf floor prior to main roof weighting was developed to explore the relationship between water inrush from the floor and main roof weighting. The stress distribution,broken characteristics, and the risk area for water inrush of the water-resistant key strata were analysed using elastic thin plate theory. The formula of the maximum water pressure tolerated by the waterresistant key strata was deduced. The effects of the caved load of the goaf, the goaf size prior to main roof weighting, the advancing distance of the workface or weighting step, and the thickness of the waterresistant key strata on the breaking and instability of the water-resistant key strata were analysed.The results indicate that the water inrush from the floor can be predicted and prevented by controlling the initial or periodic weighting step with measures such as artificial forced caving, thus achieving safe mining conditions above confined aquifers. The findings provide an important theoretical basis for determining water inrush from the floor when mining above confined aquifers.     

Discrete modeling of a longwall coal mine gob for CFD simulation

One area of concern in longwall coal mines is the active gob directly behind the longwall face, where high concentrations of methane are likely to accumulate and active roof caving occurs. Using computational fluid dynamics(CFD) to simulate gas flows in and through the gob, most researchers have represented the entire gob as a porous medium governed by Darcy's law. However, Darcy-type porous flow may not be applicable for the highly porous and unconsolidated fringes of the gob. In addition, porous medium models do not allow for representative combustion modeling to simulate in-gob ignition and flame propagation. This study presents a hybrid approach to modeling the gob using CFD: the outer part of the gob is modeled as discrete objects that simulate coarse rock rubble, while the gob center is modeled as a porous medium.