Abstract
During underground mining, accurate revelation on the deformation and failure mechanisms of a high-steep slope under multi-layer mining conditions facilitates the prevention and control of geological disasters in mines. Numerical simulation based on discrete element theory can be used to explore the characteristics and mechanism of action of deformation and failure of a slope under complex geological and multi-layer mining conditions. By utilising PFC2D (particle flow code) software, the deformation and failure characteristics of a high-steep slope in Faer Coal Mine in Guizhou Province, China were investigated. Additionally, the mechanism of influence of different numbers of mining layers on the deformation and failure of the high and steep slope was elucidated. The result showed that after the goaf passed by the slope toe, multi-layer mining aggravated the subsidence and deformation of the slope toe: the slope toppled forward as it sank. The toppling of the slope changed the slope structures: the strata in the front of the slope were transformed from anti-dip to down-dip features. Extruded by collapsed–toppled rock mass, the slope toe and the rock mass located in the lower part of the slope toe generally exhibited a locking effect on the slope. Multi-layer mining degraded the overall stability of the slope, in that the total displacement of the slope was much greater than the total mining thickness of the coal seams. Based on the aforementioned research, ideas for preventing and controlling geological disasters during mining operations under a high-steep slope were proposed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alejano LR, Ferrero AM, Ramirez—Oyanguren P, et al. (2011) Comparison of limit—equilibrium, numerical and physical models of wall slope stability. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences 48(1): 16–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2010.06.013
Bahaaddini M, Hagan PC, Mitra R, et al. (2015) Parametric study of smooth joint parameters on the shear behaviour of rock joints. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering 48(3): 923–940. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-014-0641-6
Dong XJ, Pei XJ, Huang RQ (2015) The Longchangzhen collapse in Kaili, Guizhou: characteristics and failure causes. The Chinese Journal of Geological Hazard and Control 26(3): 3–9. (In Chinese). https://doi.org/10.16031/j.cnki.issn.1003-8035.2015.03.02
Fathi Salmi E, Nazem M, Karakus M (2017) Numerical analysis of a large landslide induced by coal mining subsidence. Engineering Geology 217: 141–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2016.12.021
Frank CAM, Bentley SP, Geddes JD (1985) Mining histories and their effect on slope stability: Franks, C A M; Bentley, S P; Geddes, J D Proc Symposium on Landslides in the South Wales Coalfield, Polytechnic of Wales, Pontypridd, 1–3 April 1985 P207–224. Publ Pontypridd: Polytechnic of Wales, 1985. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts 24(6): 268. https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(87)92687-8
Ghabraie B, Ghabraie K, Ren G, et al. (2017) Numerical modelling of multistage caving processes: insights from multi-seam longwall mining—induced subsidence. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics 41(7): 959–975. https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.2659
Ghabraie B, Ren G, Barbato J, et al. (2017) A predictive methodology for multi-seam mining induced subsidence. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences 93: 280–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2017.02.003
Ghabraie B, Ren G, Smith JV (2017) Characterising the multiseam subsidence due to varying mining configuration, insights from physical modelling. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences 93: 269–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2017.02.001
Ghabraie B, Ren G, Zhang XY, et al. (2015) Physical modelling of subsidence from sequential extraction of partially overlapping longwall panels and study of substrata movement characteristics. International Journal of Coal Geology 140: 71–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2015.01.004
Gu R, Ozbay U (2015) Numerical investigation of unstable rock failure in underground mining condition. Computers and Geotechnics 63:171–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2014.08.013
Guo H, Yuan L, Shen BT, et al. (2012) Mining-induced strata stress changes, fractures and gas flow dynamics in multi-seam longwall mining. International Journal of Rock Mechanics & Mining Sciences 54: 129–139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2012.05.023
Islam MR, Hayashi D, Kamruzzaman ABM (2009) Finite element modeling of stress distributions and problems for multi-slice longwall mining in Bangladesh, with special reference to the Barapukuria coal mine. International Journal of Coal Geology 78(2): 91–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2008.10.006
Itasca Consulting Group (2008) PFC2D (particle flow code in 2 dimensions) fish in PFC2D. Minneaplis, USA: Itasca Consulting Group 20–22, 83–85.
Khanal M, Adhikary D, Jayasundara C, et al. (2015) Numerical study of mine site specific multiseam mining and its impact on surface subsidence and chain pillar stress. Geotechnical & Geological Engineering 34: 217–235. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-015-9940-2
Kong DZ, Cheng ZB, Zheng SS (2019) Study on the failure mechanism and stability control measures in a large-cutting-height coal mining face with a deep-buried seam. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment 78: 6143–157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-019-01523-0
Luo ZQ, Xie CY, Zhou JM, et al. (2015) Numerical analysis of stability for mined—out area in multi—field coupling. Journal of Central South University 22: 669–675. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-015-2569-8
Regassa B, Xu NX, Mei G (2018) An equivalent discontinuous modeling method of jointed rock masses for DEM simulation of mining-induced rock movements. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences 108: 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2018.04.053
Scaringi G, Fan XM, Xu Q, et al. (2018) Some considerations on the use of numerical methods to simulate past landslides and possible new failures: the case of the recent Xinmo landslide (Sichuan, China). Landslides 15(7): 1359–1375. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-018-0953-9
Suchowerska Iwanec AM, Carter JP, Hambleton JP (2016) Geomechanics of subsidence above single and multi-seam coal mining. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering 8(3): 304–313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2015.11.007
Tan N (2013) Failure mechanism and stability evaluation of the Zhongling high slope deformation on mine area in Nayong County. Master Dissertation, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, China. (In Chinese).
Woo KS, Eberhardt E, Rabus B, et al. (2012) Integration of field characterisation, mine production and InSAR monitoring data to constrain and calibrate 3-D numerical modelling of block caving-induced subsidence. International Journal of Rock Mechanics & Mining Sciences 53: 166–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2012.05.008
Xu NX, Kulatilake PHSW, Tian H, et al. (2013) Surface subsidence prediction for the WuTong mine using a 3-D finite difference method. Computers & Geotechnics 48: 134–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2012.09.014
Xu NX, Zhang JY, Tian H, et al. (2016) Discrete element modeling of strata and surface movement induced by mining under open-pit final slope. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences 88:61–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2016.07.006
Xu WJ, Xu Q, Wang YJ (2013) The mechanism of high-speed motion and damming of the Tangjiashan landslide. Engineering Geology 157: 8–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2013.01.020
Xu WJ, Jie YX, Li QB, et al. (2014) Genesis, mechanism, and stability of the Dongmiaojia landslide, yellow river, China. International Journal of Rock Mechanics & Mining Sciences, 67: 57–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2014.01.010
Zhang M, Shimada H, Sasaoka T et al. (2014) Evolution and effect of the stress concentration and rock failure in the deep multi-seam coal mining. Environmental Earth Sciences 72(3): 629–643. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2985-8
Zhao JJ, Xiao JG, Lee ML, et al. (2016) Discrete element modeling of a mining-induced rock slide. SpringerPlus 5: 1633. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-016-3305-z
Zhao WH, Huang RQ, Yan M (2015). Study on the deformation and failure modes of rock mass containing concentrated parallel joints with different spacing and number based on smooth joint model in PFC. Arabian journal of geosciences 8(10): 7887–7897. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-015-1801-z
Zheng G, Xu Q, Ju YZ, et al. (2017) The Pusacun rockavalanche on August 28, 2017 in Zhangjiawan Nayongxian, Guizhou: characteristics and failure mechanism. Journal of Engineering Geology 26(1): 223–240. (In Chinese). https://doi.org/10.13544/j.cnki.jeg.2018.01.023
Zhu L, Huang RQ, Yan M. et al. (2017) Geological analysis of gravitational rock slope deformation: a case from Nujiang River, China. Journal of Mountain Science 14(10): 2122–2133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-016-4261-3
Acknowledgements
The research reported in this manuscript was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants No. 41877273), the Innovative Research Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants No. 41521002), the State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Disaster Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection (Chengdu University of Technology) (Grants No. SKLGP2017Z016), the Guizhou Provincial Geological Environment Monitoring Institute, and the Faer Coal Mine. These supports are gratefully acknowledged.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yu, Jl., Zhao, Jj., Yan, Hy. et al. Deformation and failure of a high-steep slope induced by multi-layer coal mining. J. Mt. Sci. 17, 2942–2960 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-019-5941-6
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-019-5941-6