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3D DEM method for compaction and breakage characteristics simulation of broken rock mass in goaf

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Abstract

An accurate understanding of the breakage mechanism of broken coal and rock mass and its coupling relationship with stress and porosity is important for achieving efficient and safe production in coal mines, storage and utilisation of gas and water resources in goafs, and environmental ecological protection. In this study, a novel 3D simulation method is proposed for broken rock and coal granule compaction and breakage. This method can simulate the re-breakage characteristics of broken rock and coal granules during laterally confined compression (LCS). On this basis, numerical simulations combined with laboratory tests are conducted to quantitatively analyse the stress, porosity, and breakage rate evolution characteristics of broken rock granules during LCS. The entire loading process of broken rock granules is divided into three stages: self-adjustment, broken, and elastic. The stress evolution and breakage evolution characteristics of the broken rock granules during each loading stage are delineated. The breakage characteristics of broken rock granules are the main reasons for the evolution of stress, porosity, and breaking rate. In the elastic stage, only uniform compressive stress acts on the broken rock granule, inhibiting further breakage of the sample. When the loading stress reaches the tensile strength of the broken rock granules, the breakage rate of the models increases the fastest. The effects of the broken sample strength and sample size on the breakage characteristics and stress evolution law of the broken models during loading are further discussed. The secant modulus of the broken models in the elastic stages is approximately equal to the elastic modulus of the coal and rock samples. The coordination number evolution law of the broken granules during loading is the main factor affecting its breakage.

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Acknowledgements

Financial support for this work was provided by the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing (8212032), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (U1910206, 52104155, 51874312, 51874278), the Research Fund of Key Laboratory of Deep Coal Resource Mining (CUMT), Ministry of Education (KLDCRM202105), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2021YQNY11).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beijing Key Laboratory for Precise Mining of Intergrown Energy and Resources, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China

    Cun Zhang & Yixin Zhao

  2. Key Laboratory of Deep Coal Resource Mining, Ministry of Education, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China

    Cun Zhang & Yixin Zhao

  3. Geotechnical Institute, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Gustav-Zeuner-Straße 1, 09599, Freiberg, Germany

    Qingsheng Bai

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  1. Cun Zhang
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Zhang, C., Zhao, Y. & Bai, Q. 3D DEM method for compaction and breakage characteristics simulation of broken rock mass in goaf. Acta Geotech. 17, 2765–2781 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-021-01379-3

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