Fracture propagation and evolution law of indirect fracturing in the roof of broken soft coal seams

Indirect fracturing in the roof of broken soft coal seams has been demonstrated to be a feasible technology.In this work,the No.5 coal seam in the Hancheng block was taken as the research object.Based on the findings of true triaxial hydraulic fracturing experiments and field pilot under this technology and the cohesive element method,a 3D numerical model of indirect fracturing in the roof of broken soft coal seams was established,the fracture morphology propagation and evolution law under different conditions was investigated,and analysis of main controlling factors of fracture parameters was conducted with the combination weight method,which was based on grey incidence,analytic hierarchy process and entropy weight method.The results show that“士”-shaped fractures,T-shaped fractures,cross fractures,H-shaped fractures,and“干”-shaped fractures dominated by horizontal fractures were formed.Different parameter combinations can form different fracture morphologies.When the coal seam permeability is lower and the minimum horizontal principal stress difference between layers and fracturing fluid injection rate are both larger,it tends to form“士”-shaped fractures.When the coal seam permeability and minimum horizontal principal stress between layers and perforation position are moderate,cross fractures are easily generated.Different fracture parameters have different main controlling factors.Engineering factors of perforation location,fracturing fluid injection rate and viscosity are the dominant factors of hydraulic fracture shape parameters.This study can provide a reference for the design of indirect fracturing in the roof of broken soft coal seams.

Evaluation of roof cutting by directionally single cracking technique in automatic roadway formation for thick coal seam mining

Automatic roadway formation by roof cutting is a sustainable nonpillar mining method that has the potential to increase coal recovery,reduce roadway excavation and improve mining safety.In this method,roof cutting is the key process for stress relief,which significantly affects the stability of the formed roadway.This paper presents a directionally single cracking(DSC)technique for roof cutting with considerations of rock properties.The mechanism of the DSC technique was investi-gated by explicit finite element analyses.The DSC technique and roof cutting parameters were evaluated by discrete element simulation and field experiment.On this basis,the optimized DSC technique was tested in the field.The results indicate that the DSC technique could effectively control the blast-induced stress distribution and crack propagation in the roof rock,thus,achieve directionally single cracking on the roadway roof.The DsC technique for roof cutting with optimized parameters could effectively reduce the deformation and improve the stability of the formed roadway.Field engineering application verified the feasibility and effectiveness of the evaluated DSC technique for roof cutting.

Mechanism and control technology of strong ground pressure behaviour induced by high-position hard roofs in extra-thick coal seam mining

This work aimed at revealing the mechanism of strong ground pressure behaviour(SGPB)induced by high-position hard roof(HHR).Based on the supporting structures model of HHR,a modified voussoir beam mechanical model for HHR was established by considering the gangue support coefficient,through which the modified expressions of limit breaking span and breaking energy of HHR were deduced.Combined with the relationship between the dynamic-static loading stress of supporting body(hydraulic support and coal wall)and its comprehensive supporting strength,the criteria of ground pressure behaviour(GPB)induced by HHR were discussed.The types of Ⅰ_(1),Ⅰ_(2),Ⅱ_(1),andⅡ_(2) of GPB were interpreted.Results showed that types Ⅰ_(1) and Ⅰ_(2) were the main forms of SGPB in extra-thick coal seam mining.The main manifestation of SGPB was static stress,which was mainly derived from the instability of HHR rather than fracture.Accordingly,an innovative control technology was proposed,which can weaken static load by vertical-well separated fracturing HHR.The research results have been successfully applied to the 8101 working face in Tashan coal mine,Shanxi Province,China.The results of a digital borehole camera observation and stress monitoring proved the rationality of the GPB criteria.The control technology was successful,paving the way for new possibilities to HHR control for safety mining.

Control mechanism of a cable truss system for stability of roadways within thick coal seams

Cable truss systems have been widely applied in roadways with complicated conditions, such as the large cross-sections of deep wells, and high tectonic stress. However, they are rarely applied to roadways with extremely thick coal seams because the control mechanism of the system for the deformation of the roof and the separation between coal rock segments is not completely understood. By using the relationship between the support system and the roof strata, a mechanical model was established to calculate the deformation of the roof in a thick coal seam with bedding separation under different support conditions: with an anchor truss support and without support. On this basis, the research was used to deduce a method for computing the minimum pre-tightening forces in the anchor truss, the maximum amounts of subsidence and separation with, and without, anchor truss support under the roof, and the maximum subsidence and the decreasing amounts of the separation before and after adopting the anchor truss. Additionally, mechanical relationships between the minimum pre-tightening force and the anchoring force in the anchor were analyzed. By taking a typical roadway with thick coal roof as an example, the theoretical results mentioned above were applied in the analysis and testing of a roof supporting project in a roadway field to verify the accuracy of the theory: favorable experimental results were achieved. In addition, the relationships among other parameters were analyzed, including the minimum pre-tightening forces applied by the anchor truss, the angle of inclination of the anchor cable, and the array pitch. Meanwhile, the changing characteristics of the amounts of roof separation and subsidence with key parameters of the support system(such as array pitch, pre-tightening force, and inclination angle) were also analyzed. The research results revealed the acting mechanism of the anchor truss in control of roadway stability with a thick coal seam, providing a theoretical basis of its application in coal mining.

Overburden fracture evolution laws and water-controlling technologies in mining very thick coal seam under water-rich roof

Considering the danger of water inrush in mining very thick coal seam under water-rich roof in Majialiang Coal Mine,the universal discrete element(UDEC)software was used to simulate the overburden fracture evolution laws when mining 4#coal seam.Besides,this study researched on the influence of face advancing length,speed and mining height on the height of the water flowing fractured zones(HWFFZ),and analyzed the correlation of face advancing length and change rules of aquifer water levels and goaf water inflow.Based on those mentioned above,this research proposed the following water-controlling technologies:draining the roof water before mining,draining goaf water,reasonable advancing speed and mining thickness.These water-controlling technologies were successfully used in the feld,thus ensured safely mining the very thick coal seam under water-rich roof.

Prediction of upper limit position of bedding separation overlying a coal roadway within an extra-thick coal seam

Failure of the surrounding rock around a roadway induced by roof separation is one major type of underground roof-fall accidents.This failure can especially be commonly-seen in a bottom-driven roadway within an extra-thick coal seam("bottom-driven roadway"is used throughout for ease of reference),containing weak partings in their roof coal seams.To determine the upper limit position of the roof interlayer separation is the primary premise for roof control.In this study,a mechanical model for predicting the interlayer separation overlying a bottom-driven roadway within an extra-thick coal seam was established and used to deduce the vertical stress,and length,of the elastic,and plastic zones in the rock strata above the wall of the roadway as well as the formulae for calculating the deflection in different regions of rock strata under bearing stress.Also,an approach was proposed,calculating the stratum load,deflection,and limiting span of the upper limit position of the interlayer separation in a thick coal seam.Based on the key strata control theory and its influence of bedding separation,a set of methods judging the upper limit position of the roof interlayer separation were constructed.In addition,the theoretical prediction and field monitoring for the upper limit position of interlayer separation were conducted in a typical roadway.The results obtained by these two methods are consistent,indicating that the methods proposed are conducive to improving roof control in a thick coal seam.

Application of deep borehole blasting on fully mechanized hard top-coal pre-splitting and gas extraction in the special thick seam

In order to solve the problems of top-coal inadequate destruction and large amounts of gas emission in mining extra thick and hard coal seam,this study investigated the pre-splitting for deep borehole blasting and gas pre-draining technologies on top coal.The mechanism of the technologies was systematically expounded based on hard top-coal cracks development obtained by numerical simulation and theoretical analysis.The results show that explosive blasting in the hard rock results in a large number of cracks and large displacement in the rock mass due to the effect of explosion stress.Meanwhile,the thick top-coal caves,and desorbing gas flows along the cracks improve gas extraction.Finally,the pre-splitting for deep borehole blasting and gas pre-draining technologies was applied in No.3802 working face of Shui Liandong Coal Mine,which increases monthly output in the face to 67.34 kt and the drained gas concentration to 86.2%.The drained gas average concentration from each borehole reaches 40%,and the effect is remarkable.

Back-and-forth mining for hard and thick coal seams—research about the mining technology for fully mechanized caving working face of Datong Mine

The article introduced the key technology, mining process, and back-and-forth mining method for the caving working face of hard-thick coal seams in Datong mine, and researched this innovations process, optimized the systemic design and working face out-play, tried to perfect the caving mining technology of hard-thick coal seams further.

A case study of multi-seam coal mine entry stability analysis with strength reduction method

In this paper,the advantage of using numerical models with the strength reduction method(SRM) to evaluate entry stability in complex multiple-seam conditions is demonstrated.A coal mine under variable topography from the Central Appalachian region is used as a case study.At this mine,unexpected roof conditions were encountered during development below previously mined panels.Stress mapping and observation of ground conditions were used to quantify the success of entry support systems in three room-and-pillar panels.Numerical model analyses were initially conducted to estimate the stresses induced by the multiple-seam mining at the locations of the affected entries.The SRM was used to quantify the stability factor of the supported roof of the entries at selected locations.The SRM-calculated stability factors were compared with observations made during the site visits,and the results demonstrate that the SRM adequately identifies the unexpected roof conditions in this complex case.It is concluded that the SRM can be used to effectively evaluate the likely success of roof supports and the stability condition of entries in coal mines.

Study on the Fissure Rate in the Roof Strata of Excavated Coal Seams

In the past decades,the intense excavation of coal resources in China has induced a series of severe waterrelated disasters or problems,such as water burst accidents,severe groundwater depletion and contamination.All of these problems were caused by the structural changes of roof rocks or bed rocks induced by coal excavation.The structure of collapsed roof rocks is generally classified into three zones：falling zone.

Mechanism of Mining-induced Slope Movement for Gullies Overlaying Shallow Coal Seams

This paper provides an improved understanding of the movement mechanisms of both bed-rock gully and sandy soil gully when underground mining occurs underneath,followed by systematic analysis of the contributing factors such as mining advance direction,gully slope angle,gully erosion coefficient and mining height.This paper presents the results from monitoring,theoretical analyses and up to date modeling based on the geological features in the gully affected area,and the implications of these results to the success of roof support trial.It was observed that when mining occurred towards the gully,sliding of slope block along the fracture surface occurred,which resulted in unstable roof condition;when mining progressed away from the gully,polygon blocks developed in the gully slope and rotated in reversed direction forming hinged structure;within the bed-rock slope,the hinged structure was unstable due to shear failure of the polygon block;however,within the sandy soil slope,the structure was relatively stable due to the gradual rotating and subsiding of the polygon block.The increase of the value of slope angle and mining height lead to a faster and more intensive fracture development within the gully slope,which had a pronounced effect on gully slope stability and underground pressure.Various remediation approaches are hence proposed in this paper including introducing more powerful support and reasonable mining height,setting up working face along or away from gullies,using room and pillar,strip mining and backfill instead of longwall mining.

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.

Fracture mechanics model of fully mechanized top coal caving of shallow coal seams and its application

Based on break characteristics of roofs in fully mechanized top-coal mining of thick shallow coal seams, a fracture mechanics model was built, and the criterion of crack propagation in the main roof was derived using the fracture mechanics theory. The relationships between the fracture length of the roof and the working resistance of the supports were discovered, and the correlations between the load on the overlying strata and the ratio of the crack's length to the thickness of the roof were obtained. Using a working face of Jindi Coal Mine, Xing county Shanxi province as an example, the relationships between the fracture length of the roof and the working resistance of the supports were analysed in detail. The results give a design basis in hydraulic top coal caving supports, which could provide useful references in the practical application. On-site experiment proves that the periodic weighting step interval of the caving face is 15–16 m, which is basically consistent with the theoretical analysis results, and indicates that the mechanized caving hydraulic support is capable of meeting the support requirements in the mining of a super-thick but shallowly buried coal seam.

Controlling Effects of Surrounding Rock to Coal Seam Gas Occurrence

Surrounding rock of coal seam was one of the important factors to gas occurrence. The coal seam gas occurrence was studied by the index of roof strata thickness or sand content rate;we found that there were certain shortcomings. In order to reasonably evaluate the influence of coal seam surrounding rock on gas occurrence in Panji mining area, we quantitatively evaluated the effect of coal seam surrounding rock on gas occurrence by influence coefficient of roof strata thickness, and built six mathematical models of the variational gas content in the mining area which is divided into six gas geological units. The results shows that the coal seam gas content is mainly influenced by 20 mroof strata in each gas geological unit, the gas content presents the tendency of increase, and with the influence coefficient of strata thickness increases, they exist a significant linear relationship.

Ground pressure law of fully mechanized large cutting height face in extremely-soft thick seam and stability control in tip-to-face area

When stepped coal getting technology was applied to high seam mining working face, with field observations the following aspects of working face were analyzed based on the inherent conditions of extremely soft thick seam mined by Liangbei Mine, such as the brokenness and activity law of rock seam in the working face, the law of load-bearing of its supports, and the instability character of coal or rock in tip-to-face area. The following are the major laws. Pressure intensity of roof in high seam mining with extremely soft thick seam is stronger than one in slicing and sublevel-caving as a whole. But the greater crushing deformation of coal side makes pressure intensity of roof in the middle of working face be equivalent to one in sublevel-caving. In the middle of working face the roof brokenness has less dynamic load effect than roof brokenness in the two ends of working face. The brokenness instability of distinct pace of roof brings several load-bearings to supports. In condition of extremely soft thick seam, the ratio of resistance increment of supports in two ends of working face is obviously greater than that of supports in the middle. Most sloughing in coal side is triangular slop sloughing caused by shear slipping in high seam mining with extremely soft thick seam. Ultrahigh mining is the major reason for roof fall. Instability of coal or rock in tip-to-face area can be controlled effectively with the methods such as improving setting load of supports, mining along roof by reinforcing floor and protecting the immediate roof in time, and so on.

煤层瓦斯含量测定技术及装备研究进展

瓦斯含量是煤与瓦斯突出危险预测、煤层瓦斯资源量估算、矿井瓦斯治理工程设计的重要参数。围绕如何在大区域准确快速测定煤层瓦斯含量,依托国家科技重大专项、国家自然科学基金和煤炭企业联合基金等项目科技攻关,在取样、测试方面取得了一定进展。主要表现在如下4个方面:①煤层瓦斯含量测定取样经历了孔口接样、岩心管定点取样、压力引射定点取样和密闭取样4个阶段,密闭取样装备保压能力达到11.5 MPa,煤心直径达到38 mm;②针对不同煤层地质条件,发展形成了顺煤层定向长钻孔密闭取样、底板穿层钻孔密闭取样和顶(底)板梳状定向长钻孔密闭取样3种取样技术;③在河南焦作和山西晋城矿区硬煤层中,顺层定向长钻孔取样深度达到516 m,密闭取样法测得煤层瓦斯含量较常规取样法分别平均提高了0.44倍和1.04倍。在安徽淮南矿区碎软煤层中,穿层钻孔密闭取样深度达到209 m,测得煤层瓦斯含量较常规取样法平均提高了0.26倍;在安徽淮北矿区碎软煤层中,顶(底)板梳状钻孔密闭取样深度达到484 m,测得煤层瓦斯含量较常规取样法平均提高了0.19倍,密闭取样法在煤层瓦斯含量测定精度、探测范围上优于常规取样法;④在瓦斯含量测试方面,除了传统解吸法测试,发展了系列煤矿井下瓦斯含量快速测试装备,可实现最快30 min内测得煤层瓦斯含量,一般用于百米孔内的瓦斯含量测试。提出了煤层瓦斯含量测定密闭取样装备需向小型化、轻量化的方向发展,并能实现随钻密闭取样。在测试上,应根据实际情况确定合理的解吸终止限,并将测试装备和密闭取样装备进一步结合,以实现深孔瓦斯含量快速准确测定。密闭取样技术已成为煤层瓦斯含量大区域精准勘查、预测的主要手段,是煤炭安全高效开采的重要技术保障。

极近距离煤层开采无煤柱自成巷控制方法研究

极近距离煤层传统长壁开采,受上层遗留煤柱和采空区垮落等因素的影响,下煤层开采过程中应力环境复杂、矿压显现剧烈,易诱发巷道围岩大变形。为解决上述问题,提出了极近距离条件下巷道定向切顶–约束高强支护无煤柱自成巷控制方法。通过顶板定向预裂切顶,主动改变顶板悬臂结构,切断采空区向巷道顶板的应力传递。充分利用矿山压力和岩体碎胀特性,取消煤柱留设,结合高强支护加强巷道顶板整体性,共同实现切顶自成巷。建立了极近距离煤层开采覆岩结构模型,计算了下煤层切顶自成巷巷旁支护阻力。以典型极近距离煤层为工程背景,开展了不同开采方法的数值试验对比研究,结果表明,提出的自成巷控制方法使巷道围岩应力降低59.8%,巷道顶板变形减少70.8%,并明确了极近距离煤层开采无煤柱自成巷控制机理。在此基础上,开展了典型极近距离煤层工程设计及现场应用研究,结果表明该方法有效降低了矿压显现程度,保证了自成巷的安全稳定控制。

基于瞬变电磁法的煤层风氧化带探查

煤层风氧化带的发育对煤矿的生产组织和安全回采影响巨大,针对准格尔煤田东部隆起带煤层风氧化带圈定的技术难题,研究了瞬变电磁法探查煤层风氧化带的可行性。首先对研究区正常地层与煤层风氧化区的电阻率测井曲线进行了分析,总结了正常区与煤层风氧化区的电性差异,并以电阻率测井曲线构建了煤层风氧化区地电模型;然后采用MAXWELL软件对理论模型的瞬变电磁响应进行了数值模拟,发现在煤层风氧化区瞬变电磁反演电阻率断面表现为浅部低阻层变厚、低阻异常幅值减小的异常特征,可以以此来圈定煤层风氧化区的分布范围;最后在数值模拟的基础上,在串草圪旦煤矿开展了现场试验,结合钻探情况对试验数据从瞬变电磁反演电阻率断面和平面2个角度进行了分析,结果表明瞬变电磁法探测划分风氧化带是可行的。

特厚煤层底板断层破坏与顶板垮断联动效应的CFDEM模拟研究

特厚煤层采场空间大、覆岩扰动范围广,顶板垮断产生的强扰动加卸荷载易导致底板断层破坏加剧。通过数值模拟研究特厚煤层底板断层突水与顶板垮断联动效应机理规律是开展水害防治的基础,关键在于掌握加卸载下岩体渐进破坏与裂隙流耦合特征。构建加卸载下拉、剪损伤演化方程,结合有效偏/球应力为基本变量的屈服准则与塑性势函数,得到完整岩块的塑性损伤本构;建立拉/剪、混合型加卸载过程中塑性位移与强度劣化关系,以平方拉剪应力与B-K准则为初始、完全断裂准则,形成非贯通裂隙断裂本构;提出岩块分离、压缩、剪切判据,结合实验数据建立离散块体间挤压、剪切摩擦本构与剪胀方程。基于质量/动量守恒、状态方程,并结合流体体积与浸没边界方法,形成裂隙岩体气−水二相流模拟理论。由此形成CFDEM数值计算程序,并将加卸载下塑性损伤、断裂、挤压/摩擦、流体属性分别赋予实体单元(岩块)、黏聚力单元(非贯通裂隙)、接触对(贯通裂隙)、欧拉单元(水和气)。根据宁武煤田北部矿区工程地质条件,建立特厚煤层底板断层突水与顶板垮断联动效应数值计算模型。结果表明:①CFDEM耦合程序及相应的理论模型可数值实现特厚煤层覆岩及底板断层从(准)连续体到离散体转化,以及地下水在裂隙中运移;②模拟条件下特厚煤层含断层底板的采动裂隙包络线呈w形,最深处超过55 m位于断层及其上盘,最浅处23 m位于断层下盘,而无构造底板处的破坏深度为24~36 m,已导通奥灰含水层;③特厚煤层底板普遍出现二次破坏现象。表现为无构造底板在超前工作面处破坏深度为24.0~29.3 m,但在采空区内普遍增加至31.5~36.0 m;断层及其上盘在超前工作面处裂隙总开度为0.34~0.86 m,但在采空区内迅速增加至3.6 m,形成突水优势通道。④底板断层突水与顶板垮断联动效应的根源在于覆岩高位关键岩层垮断失稳、砌体梁下沉与二次断裂,并导致底板二次破坏,突水风险加剧。

厚硬顶板悬顶致灾机理及切顶控制技术研究

针对侧向厚硬悬顶下临空巷道围岩变形大、失稳风险高的问题,以大同马脊梁煤矿3810工作面运输巷为工程背景,建立了厚硬侧向悬顶力学模型,确定合理切顶位置理论值为内错煤柱3.98 m。建立UDEC数值计算模型,分析了厚硬悬顶长度、断裂位置对煤柱应力分布及3810运输巷围岩变形的控制效果,结果表明:降低悬顶长度、在煤柱上方合理位置断裂,能够有效降低煤柱侧向应力集中程度,减少巷道围岩的破坏范围及变形。根据分析结果,确定煤柱采空区侧厚硬悬顶进行切顶卸压控制,促使厚硬顶板及时垮落,提高采空区顶板垮落带高度,从而降低煤柱承载的载荷并为煤柱提供侧向约束,提高煤柱承载性能。提出了厚硬侧向悬顶水压致裂切顶卸压控制方案并应用于现场,结果表明:3810运输巷采取水力压裂切顶措施后,巷道围岩变形得到显著改善;切顶后巷道两帮最大值移近量为600 mm,顶板最大下沉量为277 mm;相对于未采取切顶方案的区段,巷道变形量分别降低39.6%(两帮)、31.8%(顶板),巷道有效断面能够满足矿井安全高效生产的需要。