Numerical simulation study on hard-thick roof inducing rock burst in coal mine

In order to reveal the dynamic process of hard-thick roof inducing rock burst, one of the most common and strongest dynamic disasters in coal mine, the numerical simulation is conducted to study the dynamic loading effect of roof vibration on roadway surrounding rocks as well as the impact on stability. The results show that, on one hand, hard-thick roof will result in high stress concentration on mining surrounding rocks; on the other hand, the breaking of hard-thick roof will lead to mining seismicity, causing dynamic loading effect on coal and rock mass. High stress concentration and dynamic loading combination reaches to the mechanical conditions for the occurrence of rock burst, which will induce rock burst. The mining induced seismic events occurring in the roof breaking act on the mining surrounding rocks in the form of stress wave. The stress wave then has a reflection on the free surface of roadway and the tensile stress will be generated around the free surface. Horizontal vibration of roadway surrounding particles will cause instant changes of horizontal stress of roadway surrounding rocks; the horizontal displacement is directly related to the horizontal stress but is not significantly correlated with the vertical stress; the increase of horizontal stress of roadway near surface surrounding rocks and the release of elastic deformation energy of deep surrounding coal and rock mass are immanent causes that lead to the impact instability of roadway surrounding rocks. The most significant measures for rock burst prevention are controlling of horizontal stress and vibration strength.     

Application of high-pressure water jet technology and the theory of rock burst control in roadway

This paper puts forward using high-pressure water jet technology to control rock burst in roadway, and analyzes the theory of controlling rock burst in roadway by the weak structure zone model. The weak structure zone is formed by using high-pressure water jet to cut the coal wall in a continuous and rotational way. In order to study the influence law of weak structure zone in surrounding rock, this paper numerically analyzed the influence law of weak structure zone, and the disturbance law of coal wall and floor under dynamic and static combined load. The results show that when the distance between high-pressure water jet drillings is 3 m and the diameter of drilling is 300 mm, continuous stress superposition zone can be formed. The weak structure zone can transfer and reduce the concentrated static load in surrounding rock, and then form distressed zone. The longer the high-pressure water jet drilling is, the larger the distressed zone is. The stress change and displacement change of non-distressed zone in coal wall and floor are significantly greater than that of distressed zone under dynamic and static combined load. And it shows that the distressed zone can effectively control rock burst in roadway under dynamic and static combined load. High-pressure water jet technology was applied in the haulage gate of 250203 working face in Yanbei Coal Mine, and had gained good effect. The study conclusions provide theoretical foundation and a new guidance for controlling rock burst in roadway.     

Effect of faulting on coal burst——A numerical modelling study

Coal burst occurrence on roadways has always been a major concern in deep underground coal mines,especially under complex geological conditions. To evaluate the effect of faulting on coal burst, the stress concentration in the vicinity a reverse fault was analysed considering the geological history of the fault formation where high horizontal stresses led to the initiation and propagation of the reverse fault.Various in situ stresses and mechanical parameters of the fault, including the ratio of horizontal stress to vertical stress were used to analyse the state of fault. Numerical modelling was conducted using two and three dimensional distinct element models(UDEC and 3 DEC) based on a geotechnical conditions of an Australian underground coal mine. The formation process of reverse fault was simulated to evaluate the stress characteristics in the coal seam and the immediate roof and floor near the fault. The results show that, both the horizontal and vertical stress in footwall were higher than those in hanging wall after the formation of the reverse fault. The stress condition near fault was complicated due to complex geology in the coal measures, and the vertical stress peaked in the footwall at a distance of about 160 m from the fault. When a roadway was excavated, stress concentration occurred at both the roadway face and ribs, which reached as high as 38 MPa in the ribs at a depth of 500 m. This will significantly elevate the risk of dynamic instability of the roadway such as coal burst. The stress concentration zone in the footwall can be considered as a hazardous zone near the reverse fault. This study provides a general reference for analysis of roadway stability affected by faults.     

Simulation of the relationship between roadway dynamic destruction and hypocenter parameters

Many factors can induce rock burst. Shock energy and shock distance are two key factors affecting rock burst. The 32101 roadway of the Xingcun coal mine, which has a tendency for rock burst, was used as an example. The dynamic module of Itasca's FLAC (Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua) 2D explicit finite-difference software was used to simulate the roadway's destruction. The vibration velocity and displacements of the rock surrounding the roadway were modeled for different shock energies and hypo-center distances. The simulation results indicate that the vibration velocity and displacement of rock surrounding the roadway have a quadratic relationship to the shock energy and a power law relationship to the distance of the hypocenter from the roadway. A dynamic view of the process was obtained from a series of "snap-shots" collected at 100 different time steps. This shows an isolat-ing "river" is first formed at the hypocenter. The region above the "river" is a low stress zone while below the "river" a high stress zone exists. This high stress zone surrounds the ribs of the roadway in a "double ear" pattern. Continuous and repeated action of the high stress in the "double ear" shaped zone destroys the roadway.     

Numerical simulation research on dynamical variation of permeability of coal around roadway based on gas-solid coupling model for gassy coal

Due to the change of initial stress state caused by roadway excavation, the permeability of the coal body may be changed during the excavation process. In this paper, according to the different stress states, the coal around the roadway was divided into the seepage open zone, seepage orientation zone, seepage decay zone and original seepage zone along the radial direction of the roadway. The loaded gassy coal was treated as a viscoelastic and plastic softened medium, and the mechanical behaviors of the viscoelastic zone, plastic softened zone and broken zone around the roadway were analyzed with the consideration of the loading creep, softening and expansion effect of the gassy coal. According to the law of conservation of mass and the Darcy law, the flow-solid coupled model for the gas transportation of the coal around the roadway was established considering the dynamic evolution of the adsorption characteristics, porosity and permeability of the coal, and the simulation software COMSOL was utilized to numerically simulate the stress state and gas flow regularity around the coal, which provided meaningful reference for investigating the stability of the coal and rock around the roadway.     

Rock burst risk evaluation based on equivalent surrounding rock strength

On-site investigations consistently show that the rock burst inherent to coal seams varies greatly with coal seam thickness. In this study, impact factors related to coal seam thickness and surrounding rock strength were analyzed and a corresponding rock burst risk assessment method was constructed. The model reflects the influence of coal seam thickness on the stress distribution of surrounding rock at the roadway. Based on the roadway excavation range, a stress distribution model of surrounding roadway rock is established and the influence of coal seam thickness on rock burst risk is analyzed accordingly. The proposed rock burst risk assessment method is based on the equivalent surrounding rock strength and coal seam bursting liability. The proposed method was tested in a 3500 mining area to find that it yields rock burst risk assessment results as per coal seam thickness that are in accordance with real-world conditions. The results presented here suggest that coal seam thickness is a crucial factor in effective rock burst risk assessment.     

煤岩体中弹性比能分布的有限元计算分析

冲击地压发生的前提是矿山井巷和采场周围的煤岩体中储存了足够的弹性能．摸清围岩体中弹性能的分布规律是有效地进行冲击地压预测预报的前提，文中探讨了井巷和采场围岩体处于弹塑性变形状态下其弹性比能的计算方法，提出了用有限元法分析计算处于弹塑性变形状态下的煤岩体中弹性比能分布的理论与方法，以及产生冲击地压的弹性能判据．结果表明，蝶层巷道两帮煤体中弹性比能的最大值与采深的平方近似成正比，与其弹性模量近似成反比．对鲁村煤矿2217区段运输平巷的具体条件进行的有限元计算分析表明，该巷道不满足产生冲击地压的条件，与现场实际情况相吻合．     

上下采空区巷道围岩力学特征及支护技术

潘三矿西翼-810 m皮带机大巷（西二～西三段）受上下采空区的影响,其所处的工程条件复杂,巷道支护困难。对此,建立理论模型,对巷道围岩力学状态进行分析,得出围岩应力和损伤破裂半径的表达式。分析了在上下采空区的影响下,岩体卸压扰动和强度劣化对塑性损伤区及松动破裂区半径的影响。提出了锚网＋锚索桁架＋喷浆＋注浆锚索注浆的复合支护技术,为上下采空区影响下的巷道提供一些支护指导。     

A new criterion of coal burst proneness based on the residual elastic energy index

To evaluate the coal burst proneness more precisely, a new energy criterion namely the residual elastic energy index was proposed. This study begins by performing the single-cyclic loading-unloading uniaxial compression tests with five pre-peak unloading stress levels to explore the energy storage characteristics of coal. Five types of coals from different mines were tested, and the instantaneous destruction process of the coal specimens under compression loading was recorded using a high speed camera. The results showed a linear relationship between the elastic strain energy density and input energy density, which confirms the linear energy storage law of coal. Based on this linear energy storage law, the peak elastic strain energy density of each coal specimen was obtained precisely. Subsequently, a new energy criterion of coal burst proneness was established, which was called the residual elastic energy index(defined as the difference between the peak elastic strain energy density and post peak failure energy density).Considering the destruction process and actual failure characteristics of coal specimens, the accuracy of evaluating coal burst proneness based on the residual elastic energy index was examined. The results indicated that the residual elastic energy index enables reliable and precise evaluations of the coal burst proneness.     

华亭煤田冲击地压定向解危技术

针对华亭煤田各煤矿冲击地压显现时底板鼓起严重的现象,采用横向(巷道横截面)卸压和纵向(沿巷道走向)卸压相结合的方式来消除冲击危险.在巷道两脚布置钻孔,水平应力在钻孔上分解后形成的静摩擦力会挤压底板使之向下运动,并通过两侧钻孔卸压爆破形成底板裂隙区来隔断底板深部传来的应力;同时在巷道中每隔一段距离设置一个破碎带,破碎带起到"弹簧体"的作用,吸收沿巷道走向方向水平应力所带来的能量.研究表明,经计算定向解危方法吸收能量(10~8J)远大于微震系统已经测得的矿区冲击危险源产生的能量级别(10~6J),对底板型的冲击地压现象能够起到很好的防治作用.现场实施情况良好,有效减轻了煤矿巷道底板鼓起的现象.     

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.     

Catastrophic mechanism of coal and gas outbursts and their prevention and control

Based on the engineering observations of coal and gas outbursts during mining processes and the experimental results,we built a thin plate mechanical model for layered and spalled coal bodies.We studied the mechanical mechanism of outbursts,due to instability,of thin plates of coal rocks under the action of in-plane load and normal load,by using the catastrophe theory.The total potential function is derived for the layered rock system,the cusp catastrophe model for the system is established,the bifurcation set that makes the system unstable is given,the process in which gradual change of action forces leads to catastrophic change of state is analyzed,and the effect of movement path of point (P,q) in the control space on the stability of rock plate is analyzed.The study results show that during the process of coal mining,the stability of the layered coal bodies depends not only on its physical properties and dimensions but also on the magnitudes and changing paths of the in-plane load and the normal load.When the gas in the coal bodies ahead of the mining face is pre-drained,the gas pressure can be reduced and the normal load q can be lowered.Consequently,disasters such as coal and gas outbursts can be effectively prevented.     

De-stressed mining of multi-seams: Surrounding rock control during the mining of a roadway in the overlying protected seam

Surrounding rock control in the overlying protective coal seam is a challenging topic for de-stressed mining of multi-seamed coal. Current research findings on roadway control were used in the design of a physical model of a complex textured roof having a varying thickness. The model was used to study roadway instability and collapse caused by dynamic pressure. The results show that when the thickness of the roof exceeds the bolted depth the roadway security is least and the roof has the greatest possibility for collapse. Numerical simulations were also carried out to study stress redistribution before and after roadway excavation during underlying protective seam mining. The evolution of roadway displacement and fracture, as affected by support methods, has been well studied. A series of support principles and technologies for mining affected roadways has been proposed after demonstration of successful practical application in the Huainan Mines. These principles and technologies are of extended value to deep coal mining support in China.     

Rock burst induced by roof breakage and its prevention

Based on the research on rock burst phenomenon induced by the breakage of thick and hard roof around roadways and working faces in coal mines, a criterion of rock burst induced by roof breakage (RBRB) was proposed and the model was built. Through the model. a method calculating the varied stresses induced by roof breakage in support objects and coal body was proposed and a unified formula was derived for the calculation of stress increment on support objects and coal body under different breaking forms of roof. Whilst the formula for calculating dynamic load was derived by introducing dynamic index K _d. The formula was verified in Huating Mine by stress measurement. According to the formula for stress increment calculating, the sensitivities of dynamic load parameters were further studied. The results show that the thickness and breaking depth of roof, width of support object are the sensitive factors. Based on the discussion of the model, six associated effective methods for rock burst prevention are obtained.     

Physical model test and numerical simulation on the failure mechanism of the roadway in layered soft rocks

To explore the failure mechanism of roadway in layered soft rocks, a physical model with the physically finite elemental slab assemblage(PFESA) method was established. Infrared thermography and a video camera were employed to capture thermal responses and deformation. The model results showed that layered soft roadway suffered from large deformation. A three-dimensional distinct element code(3 DEC) model with tetrahedral blocks was built to capture the characteristics of roadway deformation,stress, and cracks. The results showed two failure patterns, layer bending fracture and layer slipping after excavation. The layer bending fracture occurred at positions where the normal direction of layers pointed to the inside of the roadway and the layer slipping occurred in the ribs. Six schemes were proposed to investigate the effects of layered soft rocks. The results showed that the deformation of ribs was obviously larger than that of the roof and floor when the roadway passed through three types of strata.When the roadway was completely in a coal seam, the change of deformation in ribs was not obvious,while the deformation in the roof and floor increased obviously. These results can provide guidance for excavation and support design of roadways in layered soft rocks.     

Strength criterion effect of the translator and destabilization model of gas-bearing coal seam

Coal seam destabilization inflicts damage to equipment, causes property loss and personnel casualties,and severely threatens mining safety and efficient production. To further understand this destabilization based on the basic theory of Lippmann seam destabilization, a mathematical model was introduced for gas pressure distribution by considering intermediate principal stress and support resistance.Subsequently, we established a translation model suitable for the entire roadway coal seam with rocky roof and floor by applying the unified form of yield criterion in the state of plane strain. We also obtained the analytic expressions of coal seam stress distribution on both sides of the roadway and the widths of plastic and disturbance zones. Afterward, we analyzed several typical cases with different material yield criteria, obtained the plastic zone widths of the coal seam under different gas pressures, and assessed the effects of support resistance, roadway size, and coal strength on coal seam destabilization. Results showed that: the results obtained on the basis of Wilson and Mohr–Coulomb criteria are considerably conservative, and the use of Druker–Prager criteria to evaluate the rockburst-induced coal seam destabilization is safer than the use of the two other criteria; coal seam stability is correlated with gas pressure;and high-pressure gas accelerates the coal seam destabilization.     

Floor stress evolution laws and its effect on stability of floor roadway

According to the distribution of abutment stress in a stope, this research established the mechanical model of mining abutment pressure transmission in floor base on the theory of semi-infinite plate body in elasticity. This study takes the 762 working face of Haizi Coal Mine as a case in point, and analyzed the dynamic evolution law of seam floor stress during the mining process. With an organic combination of the mining floor stress and surrounding rock stress, the study obtained the change laws of the maximum principle stress and the minimum one for the floor roadway surrounding rock when mining the upper working face. Considering the non-constant pressure force state and the cracks revolution mechanisms of floor roadway surrounding rock, the research built the mechanical model of roadway stress. Simulation results verify the reliability of the above conclusions. Moreover, this model could provide the theoretical basis and technical support for controlling floor roadway surrounding rock.     

Dynamic failure risk of coal pillar formed by irregular shape longwall face:A case study

Irregular shape workface would result in the presence of coal pillar, which leads to high stress concentration and possibly induces coal bumps. In order to study the coal bump mechanism of pillars, static and dynamic stress overlapping(SDSO) method was proposed to explain the impacts of static stress concentration and tremors induced by mining activities. The stress and deformation in surrounding rock of mining face were analyzed based on the field case study at 1303 workface in Zhaolou Coal Mine in China.The results illustrate that the surrounding rock of a workface could be divided into four different zones,i.e., residual stress zone, stress decrease zone, stress increase zone and original stress zone. The stress increase zone is prone to failure under the SDSO impact loading conditions and will provide elastic energy for inducing coal bump. Based on the numerical modelling results, the evolution of static stress in coal pillar as the size of gob increasing was studied, and the impact of dynamic stress was investigated through analyzing the characteristics of tremor activities. The numerical results demonstrate the peak value of vertical stress in coal pillar rises from about 30 MPa with mining distance 10 m to 52.6 MPa with mining distance 120 m, and the location of peak stress transfers to the inner zone of coal pillars as the workface moves forward. For the daily tremor activities, tremors with high energy released indicate high dynamic stress disturbance on the surrounding rock, therefore, the impact of dynamic stressing is more serious during workface extension period because the tremor frequency and average energy after workface extension are higher than those before the workface extension.     

Gas-solid coupling laws for deep high-gas coal seams

A better understanding of gas-solid coupling laws for deep, gassy coal seams is vital for preventing the compound dynamic disasters such as rock burst and gas outburst. In this paper, a gas-solid coupling theoretical model under the influence of ground stress, gas pressure, and mining depth is established and simulated by using COMSOL Multiphysics software. Research results indicate that under the influence of factors such as high ground stress and gas pressure, the mutual coupling interaction between coal and gas is much more significant, which leads to the emergence of new characteristics of gas compound dynamic disasters. Reducing the ground stress concentration in front of the working face can not only minimize the possibility of rock burst accidents, which are mainly caused by ground stress, but also can weaken the role of ground stress as a barrier to gas, thereby decreasing the number of outburst accidents whose dominant factor is gas. The results have a great theoretical and practical significance in terms of accident prevention, enhanced mine safety, disaster prevention system design, and improved accident emergency plans.     

Rockburst mechanism in soft coal seam within deep coal mines

A number of rockburst accidents occurring in soft coal seams have shown that the rockburst mechanism involved in soft coal seams is significantly different from that involved in hard coal seams. Therefore, the method used to evaluate rockburst in hard coal seams is not applicable to soft coal seams. This paper established an energy integral model for the rockburst-inducing area and a friction work calculation model for the plastic area. If the remaining energy after the coal seam is broken in the rockburstinducing area is greater than the friction work required for the coal to burst out, then a rockburst accident will occur. Mechanisms of ‘‘quaking without bursting" and ‘‘quaking and bursting" are clarified for soft coal seams and corresponding control measures are proposed as the optimization of roadway layouts and use of ‘‘three strong systems"(strong de-stressing, strong supporting, and strong monitoring).