Longwall mining “cutting cantilever beam theory” and 110 mining method in China——The third mining science innovation

With the third innovation in science and technology worldwide, China has also experienced thismarvelous progress. Concerning the longwall mining in China, the ＂masonry beam theory＂ （MBT） wasfirst proposed in the 1960s, illustrating that the transmission and equilibrium method of overburdenpressure using reserved coal pillar in mined-out areas can be realized. This forms the so-called ＂121mining method＂, which lays a solid foundation for development of mining science and technology inChina. The ＂transfer rock beam theory＂ （TRBT） proposed in the 1980s gives a further understanding forthe transmission path of stope overburden pressure and pressure distribution in high-stress areas. In thisregard, the advanced 121 mining method was proposed with smaller coal pillar for excavation design,making significant contributions to improvement of the coal recovery rate in that era. In the 21st century,the traditional mining technologies faced great challenges and, under the theoretical developmentspioneered by Profs. Minggao Qian and Zhenqi Song, the ＂cutting cantilever beam theory＂ （CCBT） wasproposed in 2008. After that the 110 mining method is formulated subsequently, namely one stope face,after the first mining cycle, needs one advanced gateway excavation, while the other one is automaticallyformed during the last mining cycle without coal pillars left in the mining area. This method can beimplemented using the CCBT by incorporating the key technologies, including the directional presplittingroof cutting, constant resistance and large deformation （CRLD） bolt/anchor supporting systemwith negative Poisson＇s ratio （NPR） effect material, and remote real-time monitoring technology. TheCCBT and 110 mining method will provide the theoretical and technical basis for the development ofmining industry in China.

Principles of the roof cut short-arm beam mining method (110 method) and its mining-induced stress distribution

Since the 1960 s, mining science and technology in China has experienced two technical innovations, i.e.the ‘‘Masonry Beam Theory(MBT)" and ‘‘Transfer Rock Beam Theory(TRBT)". Based on those theories, the conventional mining method(being called the 121 mining method) was established, consisting of excavating two tunnels with a pillar left for mining a working panel. However, with increasing mining depth,engineering geological disasters in the underground caverns have been frequently encountered. In addition, the use of the coal-pillar mining results in a large amount of coal resources unexploited. In order to address the problems above, the ‘‘Roof Cut Short-Arm Beam Theory(RCSBT), being called the 110 mining method)" was proposed by He Manchao in 2008. The 110 mining method features the mining of one coal seam panel, excavating necessarily only one roadway tunnel and leaving no pillars. Realization of the 110 mining method includes the following steps:(1) directional pre-splitting roof cutting,(2) supporting the roof by using high Constant Resistance Large Deformation bolt/cable(CRLD), and(3) blocking gangue by hydraulic props. This paper presents an overview of the principles, techniques and application of the 110 mining method. Special emphasis is placed on the numerical simulation of the geostress distribution found in the mining panel using the 110 method compared to that of the 121 method. In addition, the stress distribution on the ‘‘short beam" left by the roof cutting when performing the 110 method was also investigated using both numerical simulation and theoretical formulation.