Mechanism of Strong Mining Pressure in Shallow Coal Seams with Two Key Layers and Controlling This Pressure via Small-Aperture Roof Cutting
Source abstract
Abstract
Mining coal seams with shallow, thick, and hard roofs often results in extensive roof suspension. This issue poses significant challenges regarding stratum control and mitigation of strong mining pressure, especially within the confined working space of a mining face. This study focuses on the 13101 working face of Shengfu Coal Mine. Through field observations, theoretical analysis, and numerical simulations, the characteristics of support resistance and microseismic activity were investigated. This research elucidates the mechanism behind the strong mining pressure driven by the structural coupling and synergistic breakage of two key strata, highlighting how their interaction dictates weighting intensity. A small-aperture hydraulic fracturing technology, specifically designed for inter-support spaces, was developed. The results indicate that the working face exhibits alternating “minor weighting” and “major weighting” events. Minor weighting occurs at an average interval of 12.38 m with a dynamic load factor of 1.14, while major weighting occurs at 41.07 m with a factor of 1.56. The roof structure was found to form a combination of an “inclined stepped rock beam” and a “voussoir beam.” Field applications demonstrate that the proposed technology reduces the major weighting interval by 41.46% and total microseismic energy release by 35.01%. This study provides a theoretical and technical basis for preventing roof disasters under similar geological conditions.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Rock Mechanics and Modeling · Geomechanics and Mining Engineering · Coal Properties and Utilization
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Affiliations
College of Mining Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
Postdoctoral Research Station of Xuzhou Mining Business Group Co., Ltd., Xuzhou 221003, China
School of Mines, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
College of Environment and Ecology, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
Huineng Group, Shenmu Shengfu Mining Co., Ltd., Shenmu 719300, China
Funding
The Shanxi Provincial Key R&D Program · National Natural Science Foundation of China
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