Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fracture Development at Laminated Floor Layers Under Longwall Face in Deep Coal Mining

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Natural Resources Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The increment of stress level and fracture depth in deep longwall mining can cause groundwater inrush accidents frequently, and it is essential to study the characteristics of fracture development around laminated rock layers at the floor. This can help to understand the mechanism of groundwater inrush events and to reduce the potential risk. According to the rock mass stress–strain curve and the stress redistribution around the floor area in a deep longwall face, this study focused on the failure mechanisms in this area. A physical longwall model was established to study fracture development at the unloading zone around the floor area. The results showed that the plastic fracture at the floor was generated by high compressive stress around the floor and coal rib area after the breakage of main roof. The unloading starting point of stress changed nonlinearly, and the unloading stress increased nonlinearly. Therefore, the unloading fracture depth and the floor heave deformation can be much larger than those in shallow mining. In addition, the horizontal bedding plane can accelerate fracture development. When the unloading stresses increase, the branch fractures develop downward and connect the original joints and bedding planes at deeper floors. The dominant angle of main cracks varies in the range of 50°–85°, and the number of branch fractures can reduce when the dip angle of the main cracks increases (close to 85°). In addition, the direction of main fractures was nearly vertical, and it was hard to connect them to the horizontal joints and bedding planes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
Figure 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aghababaei, S., Saeedi, G., & Jalalifaer, H. (2016). Risk analysis and prediction of floor failure mechanisms at longwall face in parvadeh-I coal mine using rock engineering system (RES). Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 49, 1889–2190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anandan, K. S., Sahay, S. N., Ramabadran, T. K., & Prasad, S. S. (2010). Ground water control techniques for safe exploitation of the Neyveli lignite deposit, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, India. Mine Water and the Environment, 29, 3–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Can, E. (2019). Assessment of risks relevant to underground measurements for coal mining production and exploration. Natural Resources Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-019-09570-w.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, J. W., Liu, F. Y., & Li, S. Y. (2017). Model for the prediction of subsurface strata movement due to underground mining. Journal of Geophysics and Engineering, 14, 1608–1623.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, J. W., Zhao, G., Feng, G. R., & Li, S. Y. (2020). Characterizing strata deformation over coal pillar system in longwall panels by using subsurface subsidence prediction model. European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering, 24(5), 650–669.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, Z. H., Liu, B., Zou, Q. L., Wang, X., Feng, J. C., Zhao, Z. Y., et al. (2019). Analysis of spatial-temporal evolution of mining-induced fracture field: A case study using image processing in the shaqu coal mine, China. Natural Resources Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-019-09540-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diederichs, M., & Kaiser, P. (1999). Stability of large excavations in laminated hard rock masses: The voussoir analogue revisited. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 36(1), 97–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Galvin, J. M. (2016). Ground engineering principles and practices for underground coal mining. Berlin: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guo, B. H., Cheng, T., Wang, L., Luo, T., & Yang, X. Y. (2018). Physical simulation of water inrush through the mine floor from a confined aquifer. Mine Water and the Environment, 37, 577–658.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, D., & Huang, R. Q. (2010). Physical model test on deformation failure and fissure propagation evolvement of fissured rocks under unloading. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering, 29(3), 502–512. (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, V. K., & Proakis, J. G. (2010). Digital image processing using MATLAB (2nd ed.). Stamford: Cengage Learning.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, L. C., Yang, T. H., Liang, Z. Z., Zhu, W. C., & Tang, C. A. (2011). Numerical investigation of groundwater outbursts near faults in underground coal mines. International Journal of Coal Geology, 85, 276–288.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, Z. H., Zhang, H. L., & Du, F. (2017). Novel experimental model to investigate fluid–solid coupling in coal seam floor for water inrush. Technical Gazette, 25(1), 216–223.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, W. T., Mu, D. R., Xie, X. X., Yang, L., & Wang, D. H. (2018). Sensitivity analysis of the main factors controlling floor failure depth and a risk evaluation of floor water inrush for an inclined coal seam. Mine Water and the Environment, 37, 636–648.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mao, D. Q., Liu, Z. B., Wang, W. K., Li, S. C., Gao, Y. Q., Xu, Z. H., et al. (2018). An application of hydraulic tomography to a deep coal mine: Combining traditional pumping tests with water inrush incidents. Journal of Hydrology, 567, 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marinos, V., Marinos, P., & Hoek, E. (2005). The geological strength index: Applications and limitations. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 64(1), 55–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meng, X. X., Liu, W. T., & Mu, D. R. (2018). Influence analysis of mining’s effect on failure characteristics of a coal seam floor with faults: a numerical simulation case study in the Zhaolou coal mine. Mine Water and the Environment, 37, 754–762.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meng, Z. P., Li, G. Q., & Xie, X. T. (2012). A geological assessment method of floor water inrush risk and its application. Engineering Geology, 143–144, 51–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meng, Z. P., Shi, X. C., & Li, G. Q. (2016). Deformation, failure and permeability of coal-bearing strata during longwall mining. Engineering Geology, 208, 69–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi, L. Q., Gao, W. T., Han, J., & Tan, X. P. (2017). A nonlinear risk evaluation method for water inrush through the seam floor. Mine Water and the Environment, 36, 597–605.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J. A., & Park, H. D. (2003). Coal mining above a confined aquifer. International Journal of Rock Mechanics & Mining Sciences, 40, 537–551.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wong, R. H. C., Chau, K. T., Tang, C. A., & Lin, P. (2001). Analysis of fissure coalescence in rock-like materials containing three flaws part I: Experimental approach. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 38, 909–924.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, Q., Liu, Y. Z., Liu, D. H., & Zhou, W. F. (2011). Prediction of floor water inrush: The application of GIS-based AHP vulnerable index method to donghuantuo coal mine, China. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 44, 591–600.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie, H. P., Ju, Y., Ren, S. H., Gao, F., Liu, J. Z., & Zhu, Y. (2019). Theoretical and technological exploration of deep in situ fluidized coal mining. Frontiers in Energy, 13(4), 603–611.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, D. J., Peng, S. P., Xiang, S. Y., Liang, M. X., & Liu, W. M. (2016). The effects of caving of a coal mine’s immediate roof on floor strata failure and water inrush. Mine Water and the Environment, 35, 337–349.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xue, D. J., Zhou, H. W., Peng, R. D., Wang, J. Q., Deng, L. S., & Zhao, Y. W. (2018). Stress drop on strong disturbance of discontinuous abutment pressure. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering, 37(5), 1080–1095. (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yin, S. X., Zhang, J. C., & Liu, D. M. (2015). A study of mine water inrushes by measurements of in-situ stress and rock failures. Natural Hazards, 79(8), 1961–1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, B. L., & Meng, Z. B. (2019). Experimental study on floor failure of coal mining above confined water. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 12, 114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, C., Liu, J. B., Zhao, Y. X., Han, P. H., & Zhang, L. (2020). Numerical simulation of broken coal strength influence on compaction characteristics in goaf. Natural Resources Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-019-09613-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, J. C. (2005). Investigations of water inrushes from aquifers under coal seams. International Journal of Rock Mechanics & Mining Sciences, 42, 350–360.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, S. C., Guo, W. J., & Li, Y. Y. (2017). Experimental simulation of water-inrush disaster from the floor of mine and its mechanism investigation. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 10, 503.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, Y. X., Jiang, Y. D., Lv, Y. K., & Cui, Z. J. (2013). Similar simulation experiment of bi-directional loading for floor destruction rules in coal mining above aquifer. Journal of China Coal Society, 38(3), 384–390. (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zuo, J. P., Li, Z. D., Zhao, S. K., Jiang, Y. Q., Liu, H. Y., & Yao, M. H. (2019). A study of fractal deep-hole blasting and its induced stress behavior of hard roof strata in bayangaole coal mine, China. Advances in Civil Engineering, Article ID, 9504101, 14.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51904303 and 11572343), Beijing Outstanding Young Scientist Program (BJJWZYJH01201911413037), Shannxi Coal Group Key Project (2018SMHKJ-A-J-03), and Yueqi outstanding scholar Award Program by CUMTB.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China

    Chunyuan Li, Jianping Zuo, Xiang Xu & Ziqi Zhou

  2. Faculty of Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia

    Chunchen Wei

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

    Yang Li & Yong Zhang

Authors
  1. Chunyuan Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jianping Zuo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Chunchen Wei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xiang Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ziqi Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Yang Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Yong Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jianping Zuo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Li, C., Zuo, J., Wei, C. et al. Fracture Development at Laminated Floor Layers Under Longwall Face in Deep Coal Mining. Nat Resour Res 29, 3857–3871 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-020-09684-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-020-09684-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation