Stability control of gob-side entry retained under the gob with close distance coal seams

In multi-seam mining,the interlayer rock strata between the upper coal seam(UCS)and the lower coal seam(LCS)appear damage and strength weakening after mining the UCS.Ground stability control of the gob-side entry retaining(GER)under the gob with close distance coal seams(CDCS)is faced with difficulties due to little attention to GER under this condition.This paper focuses on surrounding rock stability control and technical parameters design for GER under the gob with CDCS.The floor rock strata damage characteristics after mining the UCS is first evaluated and the damage factor of the interlayer rock strata below the UCS is also determined.Then,a structural mechanics model of GER surrounding rock is set up to obtain the main design parameters of the side-roadway backfill body(SBB)including the maximum and minimum SBB width calculation formula.The optimal SBB width and the water-to-cement ratio of high water quick-setting material(HWQM)to construct the SBB are determined as 1.2 m and 1.5:1.0,respectively.Finally,engineering trial tests of GER are successfully carried out at#5210 track transportation roadway of Xingwu Colliery.Research results can guide GER design under similar mining and geological conditions.

Soft–strong supporting mechanism of gob-side entry retaining in deep coal seams threatened by rockburst

When gob-side entry retaining is implemented in deep coal seams threatened by rockburst, the cementbased supporting body beside roadway will bear greater roof pressure and strong impact load. Then the supporting body may easily deform and fail because of its low strength in the early stage. This paper established the roadside support mechanical model of gob-side entry retaining. Based on this model,we proposed and used the soft–strong supporting body as roadside support in the gob-side entry retaining. In the early stage of roof movement, the soft–strong supporting body has a better compressibility, which can not only relieve roof pressure and strong impact load, but also reduce the supporting resistance and prevent the supporting body from being crushed. In the later stage, with the increase of the strength of the supporting body, it can better support the overlying roof. The numerical simulation results and industrial test show that the soft–strong supporting body as roadside support can be better applied into the gob-side entry retaining in deep coal seams threatened by rockburst.

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 speciallymade 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.

Non-harmonious deformation controlling of gob-side entry in thin coal seam under dynamic pressure

The behavior of gob-side entry under dynamic pressure is totally different from the one driven after the movement of overlying strata above the adjacent coalface goal. The gob-side entry will experience severe roof lateral structural adjustments caused by adjacent coalface mining. Thus the deformation and failure characteristics of narrow coal pillar along the gob should be carefully considered. On the basis of the data of the gob-side entry obtained in a thin coal seam under dynamic pressure, the measures to reinforce the narrow coal pillar are put forward. In addition, the non-harmonious controlling of the rock structures and non-equilibrium gob-side entry deformation is proposed to avoid potential failure. Field practices show that the supporting problems of the gob-side entry under dynamic pressure can be well addressed, which could be used in other similar minin~ cases.

Surrounding rock control of gob-side entry driving with narrow coal pillar and roadway side sealing technology in Yangliu Coal Mine

Gob-side entry driving can increase coal recovery ratio, and it is implied in many coal mines. Based on geological condition of 10416 working face tailentry in Yangliu Coal Mine, the surrounding rock deformation characteristics of gob-side entry driving with narrow coal pillar is analysed, reasonable size of coal pillar and reasonable roadway excavation time after mining are achieved. Surrounding rock control technology and effective roadway side sealing technology are proposed and are taken into field practice. The results showed that a safer and more efficient mining of working face can be achieved. In addition, results of this paper also have important theoretical significance and valuable reference for surrounding rock control technology of gob-side entry driving with narrow coal pillar under special geological condition.

Control mechanism and technique of floor heave with reinforcing solid coal side and floor corner in gob-side coal entry retaining

Floor heave is the most common convergence in gob-side entry retaining.The paper analyzes the form,process and characteristics of gob-side entry retaining with the comprehensive methods of theoretical analysis,numerical simulation and the field trial.Research results present that bending and folding floor heave is the main factor in the stage of the first panel mining;squeezing and fluidity floor heave plays a great role in the stable stage of gob-side entry retaining;the combination of the former two factors affects mainly the stage of the second mining ahead;abutment pressure is a fundamental contribution to the serious floor heave of gob-side entry retaining,and sides corners of solid coal body are key part in the case of floor heave controlling of gob-side entry retaining.Floor heave of gob-side entry retaining can be significantly controlled by reinforcing sides and corners of solid coal body,and influence rules on the floor heave of gob side entry retaining of sides supporting strength and the bottom bolt orientation in solid coal side are obtained.Research results have been successfully applied in gob-side entry retaining of G20-F23070 face haulage roadway in #2 coal mine of Pingmei Group,and the field observation shows that the proposed technique is an effective way in controlling the floor heave of gob-side entry retaining.

Failure laws of narrow pillar and asymmetric control technique of gob-side entry driving in island coal face

In allusion to the problems of complex stress distribution in the surrounding rock and deformation failure laws, as well as the difficulty in roadway supporting of the gob-side entry driving in the island coal face, 2107 face in Chengjiao Colliery is researched as an engineering case. Through physical mechanical test of rock, theoretical and numerical simulation analyses of rock, the analysis model of the roadway overlying strata structure was established, and its parameters quantified. To reveal the deformation law of the surrounding rock, the stability of the overlying strata structure was studied before, during and after the roadway driving. According to the field conditions, the stress distribution in coal pillar was quantified, and the surrounding rock deformation feature studied with different widths of the pillars in gob-side entry driving. Finally, the pillar width of 4 m was considered as the most reasonable. The research results show that there is great difference in support conditions among roadway roof, entity coal side and narrow pillar side. Besides, the asymmetric control technique for support of the surrounding rock was proposed. The asymmetric control technique was proved to be reasonable by field monitoring, support by bolt-net, steel ladder and steel wire truss used in narrow pillar side.

Stability of coal pillar in gob-side entry driving under unstable overlying strata and its coupling support control technique

Considering the situation that it is difficult to control the stability of narrow coal pillar in gob-side entry driving under unstable overlying strata, the finite difference numerical simulation method was adopted to analyze the inner stress distribution and its evolution regularity, as well as the deformation characteristics of narrow coal pillar in gob-side entry driving, in the whole process from entry driving of last working face to the present working face mining. A new method of narrow coal pillar control based on the triune coupling support technique (TCST), which includes that high-strength prestressed thread steel bolt is used to strain the coal on the goaf side, and that short bolt to control the integrity of global displacement zone in coal pillar on the entry side, and that long grouting cable to fix anchor point to constrain the bed separation between global displacement zone and fixed zone, is thereby generated and applied to the field production. The result indicates that after entry excavating along the gob under unstable overlying strata, the supporting structure left on the gob side of narrow coal pillar is basically invalid to maintain the coal-pillar stability, and the large deformation of the pillar on the gob side is evident. Except for the significant dynamic pressure appearing in the coal mining of last working face and overlying strata stabilizing process, the stress variation inside the coal pillar in other stages are rather steady, however, the stress expansion is obvious and the coal pillar continues to deform. Once the gob-side entry driving is completed, a global displacement zone on the entry side appears in the shallow part of the pillar, whereas, a relatively steady fixed zone staying almost still in gob-side entry driving and present working face mining is found in the deep part of the pillar. The application of TCST can not only avoid the failure of pillar supporting structure, but exert the supporting capacity of the bolting structure left in the pillar of last sublevel entry, thus to jointly maintain the stability of coal pillar.

Study on gob-side entry retaining in fully-mechanized longwall with top-coal caving and its application

Based on the engineering background of gob-side entry retaining in fully-mechanized longwall with top coal caving(GER-FLTC) on N2105 working face of Yuwu coal mine, by adopting the methods of theoretical analysis and numerical calculation, the control techniques of surrounding rocks in GER-FLTC working face are studied in this paper. The two main difficulties of stability of surrounding rocks at gob-side retained entry in fully-mechanized longwall working face are the stability control of top coal and control of large deformation of GER-FLTC working face. Interaction mechanical model between roofing and roadside backfilling in GER-FLTC is established and the equations for the calculation of roof-cutting resistance of roadside backfilling are derived. Results of numerical calculation show that the damage zones of top coal can be categorized into the delaminating zone of top coal above the backfilling, tensile damage zone of top coal above the retained roadway and shear damage zone of the upper rib of the solid coal. Stability control of top coal is the critical part to success of GER-FLTC. With consideration of large deformation of surrounding rocks of gob-side retained entry in fully-mechanized longwall, the support technique of‘‘roofing control and wall strengthening'' is proposed where high strength and highly prestressed anchor rods and diagonal tensile anchor cables support are used for top coal, high strength and highly prestressed yielding anchor rod support is used for solid coal and roadside prestressed load-carrying backfilling is constructed by high-water material, in order to maintain the integrity of the top coal, transfer load, high resistance yielding load-carrying of solid coal, roof-cutting of roadside backfilling and support,and to achieve GER-FLTC. Results from this study are successfully applied in engineering practice.

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.

Top-coal deformation control of gob-side entry with narrow pillars and its application for fully mechanized mining face

A mechanical model to control the top-coal deformation is established in accordance with the structural characters of the gob-side entry surrounding rock for the fully-mechanic top-coal caving; the analytical solution of top coal roof-sag curve is deduced with Winkler elastic foundation beam model. By means of a calculating and analytic program, the top coal roof-sag values are calculated under the conditions of different supporting intensities, widths of narrow pillars and stiffness of top coal; meanwhile, the relationship between the roof-sag values and supporting intensity, width of narrow pillars and stiffness of top coal is analyzed as well. With the actual situation of the gob-side entry taken into consideration, the parameters of top-coal control are determined and a supporting plan is proposed for the top-coal control,which is proved to be reliable and effective by on-site verification. Some theoretical guidance and advice are put forward for the top-coal deformation control in gob-side entry for fully mechanized top-coal caving face.

Analysis on distribution law of the abutment pressure of the integrated coal beside the road-in packing for gob-side entry retaining in fully-mechanized caving face

The three-dimensional damage constitutive relationship of coal is established and distribution law of the abutment pressure of the integrated coal beside the road-in packing for gob-side entry retaining in fully-mechanized caving face under the effect of given deformation of the main roof is analyzed by the damage mechanics theory. And the relationship between distribution of the abutment pressure and thickness of coal seam is explored. The presented result is of great theoretical significance and practical value to the study on stability control of the surrounding rock of road-in packing for gob-side entry retaining in fully-mechanized caving face.

Experimental study on supporting technology of gob-side entry with different roof conditions

Aiming to effectively solve the problem of deep mining with safety and high efficiency, according to geological conditions, production and stress analysis in roadway surrounding rock, experimental studies on roadway supporting of workface 103 under three types of roof conditions with different supporting technologies and parameters were carried out based on the theory of supporting technology of gob-side entry. The results show the supporting of gob-side entry retaining is successful, and the deep surrounding rock is effectively controlled by field monitoring and drilling-hole photos. After stress in surrounding rock of roadways restores stable, the final roadway deformation of surrounding rock of haulage roadway and air-roadway are both about 300 mm; width of gob-side entry is 3.8-4.0 m and average height is 2.0-2.2 m; roadway section is above 8.0 m^2, which solves the problems of gob-side entry retaining support strength and safe mining; necessary conditions of mining safety in workface 103 are met.

Coupling mechanism of roof and supporting wall in gob-side entry retaining in fully-mechanized mining with gangue backfilling

We analyzed the deformation characteristics of overlying stratum in backfilling with fully-mechanized and retaining roadways along the gob area coal mining technology, and established a mechanical model for the roof key stratum of retaining roadways along gob under the conditions of backfilling and fully- mechanized coal mining technology. Using Winkler elastic foundation theory, we analyzed a part of the key stratum under the action of elastic foundation coupling problem, and derived deflection analyt- ical expressions. Combined with specific conditions, we obtained the deflection curves for the roof key stratum of retaining roadways along gob under the conditions of backfilling and fully-mechanized coal mining technology. On this basis, we adopted the Coulomb's earth pressure theory to solve the problem of lateral pressure of the gangue filling area on the supporting wall beside the roadway and to provide the theoretical basis for reasonable selection of the distance between gangue concrete wall and roof and fur- ther discussion on the supporting stability of roadway.

Stability analysis and control technology of gob‑side entry retaining with double roadways by flling with high‑water material in gently inclined coal seam

To ameliorate the defects of insufcient support resistance of traditional roadside flling bodies for gob-side entry retaining(GER),overcome the inability to adapt to the deformation of surrounding rock,and isolate the goaf efectively,a new type of high-water material as a roadside flling body for GER technology with double roadways was proposed.The instability analysis and control technology of GER with double roadways by flling high-water material into a gently inclined coal seam were studied.The basic mechanical properties of the new high-water material were investigated through laboratory experiments,and their main advantages were identifed.The reasonable width of the roadside flling wall of a high-water material was obtained by combining ground pressure observation and theoretical calculations.The distribution characteristics of the stress and plastic zone of surrounding rock of GER after being stabilized by the disturbance of the working face were studied using numerical simulations,and the failure range of GER by flling with high-water material was revealed.Based on this,a coupling control technology of anchor cables and bolts+single props+metal mesh+anchor bolts is proposed.Through the coupling methods of arranging borehole peeping and observing the convergences of surrounding rock,the results demonstrate that GER with double roadways by flling with a 1.8-m-wide high-water material has a good control efect.The above research will play an active role in promoting the application of high-water materials in GER roadside flling.

Patterns and security technologies for co-extraction of coal and gas in deep mines without entry pillars

Retaining gob-side entryways and the stability of gas drainage boreholes are two essential techniques in the co-extraction of coal and gas without entry pillars （CECGWEP）. However, retained entryways located in deep coal mines are hard to maintain, especially for constructing boreholes in confined spaces, owing to major deformations. Consequently, it is difficult to drill boreholes and maintain their stability, which therefore cannot guarantee the effectiveness of gas drainage. This paper presents three measures for conducting CECGWEP in deep mines on the basis of effective space in retained entryways for gas drainage, They are combinations of retaining roadways and face-lagging inclined boreholes, retaining roadways and face-advancing inclined boreholes, and retaining roadways and high return airway inclined boreholes. Several essential techniques are suggested to improve the maintenance of retained entryways and the stabilization of boreholes. For the particular cases considered in this study, two field trials have verified the latter two measures from the results obtained from the faces 1111（1） and 11112（1） in the Zhuji Mine. The results indicate that these models can effectively solve the problems in deep mines. The maximum gas drainage flow for a single hole can reach 8.1 m^3/min and the effective drainage distance can be extended up to 150 m or more.

Technique of coal mining and gas extraction without coal pillar in multi-seam with low permeability

Aimed at the low mining efficiency in deep multi-seams because of high crustalstress,high gas content,low permeability,the compound 'three soft' roof and the trouble-somesafety situation encountered in deep level coal exploitation,proposed a new idea ofgob-side retaining without a coal-pillar and Y-style ventilation in the first-mined key pressure-relieved coal seam and a new method of coal mining and gas extraction.The followingwere discovered:the dynamic evolution law of the crannies in the roof is influenced bymining,the formative rule of 'the vertical cranny-abundant area' along the gob-side,thedistribution of air pressure field in the gob,and the flowing rule of pressure-relieved gas ina Y-style ventilation system.The study also established a theoretic basis for a new miningmethod of coal mining and gas extraction which is used to extract the pressure-relievedgas by roadway retaining boreholes instead of roadway boreholes.Studied and resolvedmany difficult key problems,such as,fast roadway retaining at the gob-side without a coalpillar,Y-style ventilation and extraction of pressure-relieved gas by roadway retainingboreholes,and so on.The study innovated and integrated a whole set of technical systemsfor coal and pressure relief gas extraction.The method of the pressure-relieved gasextraction by roadway retaining had been successfully applied in 6 typical working faces inthe Huainan and Huaibei mining areas.The research can provide a scientific and reliabletechnical support and a demonstration for coal mining and gas extraction in gaseous deepmulti-seams with low permeability.

深埋倾斜特厚煤层窄煤柱护巷机理与围岩控制

我国中东部地区采深大、巷道变形和冲击风险大,窄煤柱沿空掘巷技术可改善巷道围岩环境。为掌握窄煤柱护巷机理并形成针对性围岩控制技术体系,以800 m埋深倾斜特厚煤层3 m窄煤柱沿空掘巷为背景,开展了理论分析、现场实测及数值模拟研究,结果表明:①该巷围岩破碎程度及变形煤柱侧比实体煤侧严重,煤柱破碎程度及变形采空区侧比巷道侧大,尽管埋深大,但已稳定采空区承担较大覆岩载荷,高应力已充分向深部岩体分流;②巷道变形非对称,实体煤侧顶板下沉量比煤柱侧大,巷帮以浅部变形为主,煤柱帮上部和实体煤帮中部变形较大;③采空区是掘巷卸荷后主要的形变通道,利于形变能向采空区缓释、降低冲击风险;④卸压区形状由掘巷前三角形扩展为掘巷后平行四边形,掘巷后应力集中区转移至实体煤帮右上方实体煤岩体中;⑤窄煤柱一次和二次剪切破坏的交界面及掘巷右上方实体高应力区为围岩关键控制区,据此提出基于煤柱多重塑性破坏区发育规律的煤柱加固和高应力区精准卸压联合的围岩控制技术体系。研究可为邻近工作面以及其他类似深埋倾斜特厚煤层开采提供理论支撑和科学依据。

三软煤层沿空留巷顶板结构模型及合理支护研究

为了揭示三软煤层沿空留巷围岩变形机理,探索适用于三软煤层巷道围岩控制的新技术,通过切顶沿空留巷物理相似模拟实验,研究了不切顶普通支护、切顶高强支护和切顶普通支护3种条件下顶板岩层断裂演化过程,构建了三软煤层切顶留巷顶板结构力学模型,给出了支护阻力计算方法,在韩城矿区象山煤矿进行了现场工业性试验验证。研究表明:切顶技术切断了顶板的应力传递,巷内采用高强支护,使顶板形成稳定的“短悬臂-砌体梁”结构。现场监测结果显示,不切顶普通支护的留巷顶底板平均移近量1000~1200 mm,两帮平均移近量600~700 mm;切顶高强单体支护的留巷顶底板平均移近量200~300 mm,两帮平均移近量200~300 mm;切顶组合式支架支护的留巷顶底板平均移近量50~100 mm,两帮平均移近量100~200 mm。组合式支架高强支护能够较好地控制三软煤层沿空切顶留巷围岩变形,可实现留巷二次复用无返修。

特厚煤层沿空掘巷围岩支卸协同控制技术

针对特厚煤层小煤柱沿空掘巷大范围塑性全煤巷道锚网索的支护难题,以塔山煤矿8204-2小煤柱工作面为工程背景,采用现场实测、理论分析等方法,揭示了锚杆、锚索对沿空大范围塑性全煤巷道的支护机理。锚杆支护主要作用于浅部二次破碎区煤体,形成浅部连续承载结构;锚索主要作用于深部处于三向受力状态的稳定煤体,形成更大范围的连续稳定承载结构;进一步明确了锚杆、锚索有效长度的计算方法,形成了以高预紧力、高强“锚-网-索”支护为基础,以坚硬顶板井下磨料水射流切顶卸压、巷帮大直径钻孔卸压、底板卸压槽卸压为辅的“支卸协同”小煤柱沿空巷道围岩控制技术体系。工程应用结果表明,试验巷道围岩最大变形量小于700 mm,能够满足使用要求。