Evaluation of coal longwall caving characteristics using an innovative UDEC Trigon approach

The paper presents an innovative numerical approach to simulate progressive caving of strata above a longwall coal mining panel. A proposed Trigon logic is incorporated within UDEC to successfully capture the progressive caving of strata which is characterized by fracture generation and subsequent propagation. A new damage index, D, is proposed that can quantify regions of both compressive shear and tensile failure within the modelled longwall. Many features of progressive caving are reproduced in the model and found to fit reasonably well with field observations taken from a case study in the Ruhr coalfield. The modelling study reveals that compressive shear failure, rather than tensile failure, is the dominant failure mechanism in the caved strata above the mined-out area. The immediate roof beds act like beams and can collapse in beam bending when vertical stress is dominant or in beam shear fracture when horizontal stress is dominant. The proposed numerical approach can be used to guide the design of longwall panel layout and rock support mechanisms.     

深部厚顶煤巷道围岩变形破坏机制模型试验研究

为研究深部厚顶煤巷道围岩变形破坏特性及其机制,以赵楼煤矿千米深井厚顶煤巷道为工程背景,开展了大比尺地质力学模型试验,对让压型锚索箱梁支护系统作用下的巷道围岩位移、应力演化规律进行的研究表明：巷道顶底板围岩竖向应力释放较两帮剧烈,水平应力释放反之,巷道顶板中部围岩是顶板竖向应力释放的主要部位。通过与现场试验结果对比验证,总结出深部厚顶煤巷道围岩变形破坏的3个主要特征：顶板变形破坏较两帮和底板严重、顶板围岩变形破坏主要发生在煤岩交界面以下的煤体中、巷中是顶板变形破坏的关键部位,并进一步分析了相应机制：顶板煤岩松软破碎、自承能力差、顶板及其巷中竖向应力释放相对更为剧烈、矩形巷道顶板受力状态差等因素,导致顶煤所受径向应力低,碎胀变形剧烈,且弯曲变形、离层严重,顶板受力结构恶化,最终导致顶板控制困难。     

大断面厚顶煤巷道顶板冒落破坏的上限分析

根据大断面厚顶煤巷道顶板的破坏特性,考虑了顶板围岩应力水平与支护荷载的影响,利用Hoek-Brown强度准则及其相关联的流动法则,构造出厚顶煤巷道顶板的冒落破坏机构。基于塑性力学中的上限分析方法,结合变分原理,推导得到了大跨度厚顶煤巷道顶板的冒落破坏机制,并以赵楼煤矿某巷道现场实践为例,分析了不同计算参数对顶板冒落破坏机制的影响。计算研究表明：随着岩体经验参数A、抗拉强度、抗压强度及支护荷载的增加,冒落体尺寸随之增大,而当岩体经验参数B、围岩应力及岩体重度增加时,冒落体尺寸则随之减小;冒落体尺寸代表了巷道顶板安全性能的大小,其尺寸越大,表明使巷道顶板发生冒落破坏所需外力功越多,顶板安全性能也越高;岩体经验参数B、围岩应力水平与支护荷载对顶板围岩破裂机制影响较为显著,参数B决定了冒落体的破裂形状,随着参数B的增加,冒落破裂迹线的曲率不断减小;增大支护阻力是提高顶板稳定性的有效途径,其研究结果可为大断面厚顶煤巷道支护设计提供一定的理论依据。     

高应力大断面煤巷锚杆索桁架系统试验研究

高应力构造区大断面煤巷围岩控制技术是煤矿巷道工程中亟需研究的问题之一。以峰峰集团新三矿废矸充填复杂困难煤巷为典型研究对象,综合现场调研和数值模拟分析结果得出高应力作用下大断面煤巷变形破坏特征,提出一种基于“索-拱”结构为核心的高应力煤巷围岩控制系统-锚杆索桁架,分析该支护系统基本结构,设计流程及支护预应力场分布特征,在新三矿某一置换煤巷开展工业性试验,研究结果表明,新型支护系统结构稳定,巷道围岩控制效果良好,对类似困难巷道支护具有一定的理论和实用参考价值。     

大断面综放沿空巷道煤柱合理宽度与围岩控制

确定合理的区段煤柱宽度及巷道支护型式和参数,对于提高资源回采率和巷道安全性及实现综放开采高产高效意义重大。以王家岭煤矿20103区段运输平巷为工程背景,采用FLAC3D数值分析了不同煤柱宽度下围岩主应力差、变形及破坏演化规律,认为合理煤柱宽度为6～10 m,并结合实际地质和生产条件确定试验巷道煤柱宽度为8 m。采用理论分析和现场钻孔窥视方法综合确定基本顶断裂线位于距采空区约7 m处,认为由于综放沿空巷道围岩性质结构和应力分布沿巷道中心线呈明显非对称性,将引发煤柱侧顶板严重下沉和肩角部位煤岩体错位、嵌入、台阶下沉等非对称破坏特征,靠煤柱侧顶板及肩角部位是巷道变形破坏的关键部位。在此研究基础上,针对性地提出了以高强锚梁网、不对称锚梁、锚索桁架为主体的综合控制技术,详细阐明了具体支护措施的控制机制,并进行现场应用。工程实践表明,8 m煤柱宽度合理,该支护技术能够保证窄煤柱沿空巷道围岩稳定,并已在王家岭煤矿大面积推广应用,对类似工程条件的支护技术具有一定的理论意义和实用价值。     

基于UDEC颗粒模型的不确定性分析

颗粒模型的不确定性(颗粒形状、大小及空间分布等)严重影响岩石(体)数值模拟结果的可靠性与合理性。基于UDEC软件中的Voronoi颗粒模型,提出了两种Trigon颗粒模型的建立方法并通过软件自带的FISH语言实现。同时,深入分析了单轴压缩条件下颗粒形状、迭代次数(颗粒大小)和随机种子数(颗粒空间分布)对煤岩试样宏观力学行为及其破坏模式的影响。研究结果表明,迭代次数和随机种子数对煤岩单轴抗压强度及其变形特性的影响与颗粒形状相关:对于Trigon颗粒模型,两者影响程度相当;对于Voronoi颗粒模型,随机种子数的影响明显大于迭代次数。煤岩试样破坏过程中产生的微裂纹类型、数量及其发展规律主要受颗粒形状的影响,而受迭代次数和随机种子数的影响不大。岩石试样的破坏模式同时受颗粒形状、迭代次数和随机种子数的影响。因此,真实考虑岩石(体)组成物质的颗粒形状、大小及其空间分布,可有效提高颗粒模型数值模拟的真实性与可靠性。     

内蒙古高家梁煤矿巷道加固及围岩支护结构的数值模拟分析

高家梁煤矿位于内蒙古鄂尔多斯市东胜区东南8km处,矿井设计规模年产600×104吨。建井期间在埋深50～150m的运输大巷中部,遇到一种低强度软岩,巷道掘进与施工过程中冒顶、塌方时有发生,常规锚杆支护失效,对施工安全和进度造成很大影响。基于巷道地质情况与软岩特征,根据巷道围岩松动圈理论及围岩与支护作用关系,重点分析了软岩巷道的变形、顶板失稳机理,确定了运输大巷的工程加固方法。经过ADINA数值模拟验算以及后期的运输大巷变形监测曲线都证明加固方案满足运输大巷对支护刚度和强度的要求,同时还将加固方案进行了经济评价,得出了这种加固方案对于高家梁矿的特殊软岩巷道段加固在技术上可行,经济上可以接受的结论。     

工作面过空巷基本顶超前破断机制及控制技术

以工作面进入平行空巷、回撤通道时顶板超前破断、巷道被掩埋、支架压架的事故为研究对象,通过相似模拟试验对比了工作面过不同宽度空巷、充填与否时围岩破坏特征、应力变化和支架载荷变化,展现了工作面过大断面空巷基本顶超前破断及其灾变演化过程。研究表明：超前破断会导致基本顶一次性破断长度增加、上覆亚关键层同时破断。一旦发生超前破断,现有支护技术很难避免压架,故预防出现超前破断最为重要。鉴于此,运用Winkler地基梁理论对基本顶中弯矩和挠度进行了计算,解释了试验中围岩破断特征、支承应力和支架载荷的变化,给出了基本顶超前破断的机制：煤柱失稳是导致出现超前破断的主要因素,提高煤柱强度有利于预防超前破断。据此提出了局部注浆充填技术使煤柱由单轴压缩变为三轴压缩,提高煤柱支撑能力,并在现场实践中得到了验证。     

基本顶断裂形式对倾斜煤层沿空半煤岩巷围岩稳定性影响研究及工程应用

倾斜煤层沿空半煤岩巷由于围岩结构的非对称性和非均质性,受采掘扰动影响,巷道围岩呈现更严重的变形破坏。为揭示不同基本顶断裂形式对倾斜煤层沿空半煤岩巷围岩稳定性的影响规律,采用数值模拟方法针对该类巷道4种基本顶断裂形式下巷道围岩变形特征进行了研究。结果表明:基本顶断裂线位置对该类巷道围岩稳定性的影响程度由小到大依次为:采空区侧、煤柱上方、实体煤侧、巷道上方;基本顶断裂线位于采空区侧时,煤柱轴向、横向应力增速均小于其他情况,垂直位移也最小,煤柱变形在允许范围内,可保持后期对顶板的支承能力,对巷道维护最有利。在此基础上,以贵州某矿1511工作面回风巷为工程背景进行了工业试验,通过理论计算和现场钻孔探测综合分析得出,为避免基本顶断裂线位于煤柱上方靠巷道侧,下一步掘进时煤柱宽度应由3 m改为5 m。掘采期间断面检测结果显示,断面最大收缩率为23.3％,最大非对称变形率为5.2％,巷道整体均匀协调变形,进一步验证了研究成果的可靠性。      

Coal Mine Roadway Stability in Soft Rock: A Case Study

Roadway instability has always been a major concern in deep underground coal mines where the surrounding rock strata and coal seams are weak and the in situ stresses are high. Under the high overburden and tectonic stresses, roadways could collapse or experience excessive deformation, which not only endangers mining personnel but could also reduce the functionality of the roadway and halt production. This paper describes a case study on the stability of roadways in an underground coal mine in Shanxi Province, China. The mine was using a longwall method to extract coal at a depth of approximately 350 m. Both the coal seam and surrounding rock strata were extremely weak and vulnerable to weathering. Large roadway deformation and severe roadway instabilities had been experienced in the past, hence, an investigation of the roadway failure mechanism and new support designs were needed. This study started with an in situ stress measurement programme to determine the stress orientation and magnitude in the mine. It was found that the major horizontal stress was more than twice the vertical stress in the East–West direction, perpendicular to the gateroads of the longwall panel. The high horizontal stresses and low strength of coal and surrounding rock strata were the main causes of roadway instabilities. Detailed numerical modeling was conducted to evaluate the roadway stability and deformation under different roof support scenarios. Based on the modeling results, a new roadway support design was proposed, which included an optimal cable/bolt arrangement, full length grouting, and high pre-tensioning of bolts and cables. It was expected the new design could reduce the roadway deformation by 50 %. A field experiment using the new support design was carried out by the mine in a 100 m long roadway section. Detailed extensometry and stress monitorings were conducted in the experimental roadway section as well as sections using the old support design. The experimental section produced a much better roadway profile than the previous roadway sections. The monitoring data indicated that the roadway deformation in the experimental section was at least 40–50 % less than the previous sections. This case study demonstrated that through careful investigation and optimal support design, roadway stability in soft rock conditions can be significantly improved.     

Evaluation of the Effect of Fault on the Stability of Underground Workings of Coal Mine through DEM and Statistical Analysis

The rock mass around an excavation is generally traversed by different geological discontinuities such as faults, folds, slips, joints, etc. Fault is one of the major geological discontinuities which creates lot of difficulties during underground winning of coal. Entire stress regime and ground conditions in the formation are altered in and around the faults. Faults also impose detrimental effects by introducing impurities, including clay and various forms of mineral matter into the coal seams; opening of pathways for the influx of water and gas into the underground workings; displacing the coal seams upward/downwards making the coal seams difficult or sometimes impractical to mine. Appropriate evaluation of the effect of the fault on the stability of the underground workings is a requisite for safe design of the underground mining structures. In this paper, a study has been carried out to assess the effect of the fault on the stability of underground coal mines by numerical simulation with distinct element method (DEM). On the calibrated DEM model, parametric study has been performed by varying the selected parameters, the dip and the friction angles of the fault. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) shows that both the factors have statistically significant effect on the strength of the coal pillar. Similarly, the displacement of the immediate roof and the height of the disturbed strata are evaluated by the DEM modelling and statistical analysis when the fault passes through the middle of the gallery. The results of ANOVA for both cases indicate that the both factors have significant effect on the displacement of the immediate roof and the height of the disturbed strata. It is obtained from the study that the low angle fault causes high instability in the immediate roof. The paper has been supplemented with the field observations where instability in underground roadways of a coal mine in India is caused by the fault. It was observed in VK-7 incline mine of Singareni Collieries Company Limited, India that there was sudden failure of immediate roof of a roadway where a low angle fault crosses the middle of the roadway. The findings of the paper help to understand the behaviour of the coal pillar and the surrounding rock mass in the presence of the fault. The study would also help to take appropriate decisions about the unstable regions of the working safeguarding safety in underground coal mines.     

大直径救援井动载荷作用下安全透巷距离数值模拟

为了防止透巷作业时地层水和钻井液沿钻孔突然涌入巷道,造成井下被困人员二次伤害,采用ABAQUS岩土数值模拟方法,以山西坪上煤矿3 号煤层巷道地面救援井为例建立模型,研究钻井动力扰动条件下巷道顶板围岩塑变特性规律,优化安全透巷距离。结果表明:动力扰动造成顶板围岩位移变形和塑性破坏,且以钻孔中心呈对称的锯齿形分布;轴向作用力对透巷顶板围岩的影响较大,安全透巷距离取值为16.53 m。模拟结果为优化安全的透巷距离提供了参考,实现了安全高效透巷的目的,为救生舱在救援井中安全下放、提升作业提供了保障。      

Roadside support schemes numerical simulation and field monitoring of gob-side entry retaining in soft floor and hard roof

One of the reasons for the failure of gob-side entry retaining under the hard roof and the soft floor is the lack of supporting strength at the end of the roadway and the breakdown of the coal wall when the roof is pressed. To this end, the supporting concept of “enhancing the support strength and realizing the cutting roof along the gob-side” was put forward and three roadside support schemes were designed. Taking the gob-side entry retaining in Binhu coal mine as an example, the three roadside support schemes were analyzed by numerical simulation and field monitoring. The analysis results show that the roadside support scheme of “anchorage cable + single hydraulic prop cut roof and anchor net retaining wall support” can effectively control the roof sinking of the roadway and realize the roof cutting. The research can provide a reference for roadside support of gob-side entry retaining in limestone roof and soft floor.     

岩层组合劣化型冒顶机制研究

通过对162起锚杆支护煤巷冒顶事故实例分析研究,顶板岩层组合劣化是引起冒顶事故的主要原因,占事故总数的66 %。应用东北大学岩石破裂过程分析系统（RFPA2D）,对不同组合的层状顶板的劣化过程进行了数值模拟研究。通过数值分析可知：岩层组合劣化与顶板岩层组合中软弱夹层位置变化、坚硬岩层厚度及高跨比变化有关;与直接顶板岩层组合中软岩层厚度变化有关。岩层组合劣化破坏的主要是拉破坏、剪切破坏及其共同作用的结果,在剪应力的作用下层状顶板发生整体跨落;在自重应力作用下顶板岩层发生弯曲破坏;剪应力和拉应力共同作用下层状顶板破坏形式为拱形冒落。     

急倾斜软硬互层巷道变形破坏机制及支护技术研究

针对急倾斜软硬互层巷道围岩大变形控制难题,采用现场试验、理论分析和数值仿真等多种手段,研究急倾斜巷道围岩变形破坏机制,研究结果表明：急倾斜软硬互层巷道的变形与破坏具有非对称性,偏压作用明显,呈现顶板下滑,底板臌起的相互错动变形特征,底臌严重且易片帮冒顶。巷道断面与岩层倾斜方向的钝角部位受侧向约束小,因而剪切滑移变形较大,是产生非对称变形破坏的关键部位;下帮围岩变形破坏较上帮更为严重。基于急倾斜巷道的变形破坏特点,提出在锚- 网-索耦合支护的基础上利用锚索、底角锚杆等对产生差异变形破坏的关键部位进行加强支护的方法,巷道大变形得到了有效控制。     

泥化弱胶结软岩地层中矩形巷道的变形破坏过程分析

在西部地区,一定数量的矿区处于泥化弱胶结软岩地层,此类软岩胶结性差、强度低、遇水泥化。矩形是采区巷道的常用型式,但其断面受力不均、稳定性差。在上述软岩地层中的矩形巷道承载力低、变形量大、变形持续时间长,给煤矿的安全生产带来极大困难。以内蒙古新上海一号煤矿皮带顺槽矩形巷道为背景,运用FLAC3D软件中的Cvisc黏弹塑性模型,对矩形巷道的变形破坏进行了数值模拟,并将模拟结果与现场监测结果对比分析。结果表明:巷道开挖支护后,受断面形状影响,矩形巷道四角出现压应力集中和顶板受拉区,巷道顶板下沉量大,底板底臌严重,两帮向巷道挤出;受围岩岩性影响,围岩进入塑性的时间快短、范围大,塑性区超出了支护体的作用范围,造成锚杆(索)的锚固效果难以完全发挥,围岩出现整体滑动的现象;巷道变形呈现出流变变形的特性,变形量随时间持续增加,持续的蠕变变形超出了支护体的可控范围,最终引起巷道的失稳破坏。     

基于煤层巷道开挖卸荷效应的底板冲击孕育过程研究

采用相似模拟和数值模拟研究了河南义马煤田跃进矿采掘影响下巷道底板的应力及变形规律,揭示底板冲击矿压发生前的孕育过程。研究表明,巷道底板冲击受煤层埋深、顶板条件、巷道施工布置方式等多因素影响。在巨厚坚硬上覆砾岩影响下,工作面开采增加了相邻工作面的应力水平。在厚煤层中巷道沿顶板布置留底煤,巷道开挖后,一定范围的煤层底板中的水平应力升高,垂直应力降低,增加了煤层失稳破坏的可能性。巷道开挖卸荷过程中,底板由于没有支护,垂直位移增加,底板的塑性区范围大于两帮,并产生了明显的拉伸破坏,容易使底板成为冲击破坏突破口。      

Seismic identification of geothermal prospecting in Harrat Rahat,Northern Arabian Shield

Influenced by mining activities in adjacent coal seams, stresses on rocks surrounding roadway were redistributed, and the roadways in lower coal seam were subjected to the asymmetrical roof falling and roof sagging. Considering stresses effect on the plastic zone around the roadway, numerical models were carried out by FLAC to investigate plastic zone with respect to stress ratio and direction of stresses. The relationship between the properties of surrounding rock and plastic zone boundary was also investigated by another numerical model and analytical study, whereby the tailgate stability of panel 30,501 in Tashan coal mine was implemented. It is shown that the rocks surrounding a roadway in the lower coal seam were subjected to unequal stresses, and the principal stress direction was deflected from the original direction. High stresses and big stress ratio can produce butterfly-shaped or X-shaped plastic zone. The direction of stresses was deflected, causing the plastic zone around the roadway to be transferred from the shoulder to the roof of the roadway. Consequently, asymmetrical stresses produce asymmetrical plastic zone. On this basis, the tailgate should be assigned conditions of the stresses and stress ratio at a low level. In this way, the tailgate was arranged at the position where the horizontal distance from the roadway in the lower seam to the centre line of the coal pillar in the upper seam (x) is 52.5 m, and was stable relatively.     

含软弱夹层厚煤层巷帮外错滑移机制与支护研究

含泥岩软夹层大采高工作面回采巷道外错式变形破坏是巷道支护的新课题。通过对三道沟煤矿含软夹矸层5-2厚煤层回采巷道变形实测和围岩钻孔窥视,发现了巷道顶板存在垂直裂隙,巷道两帮破坏区集中于夹矸层附近,且具有副帮大于正帮的特征,巷道变形主要来自于相邻采空区的影响。通过数值计算和物理模拟,揭示了相邻工作面侧方支承压力导致顶板产生垂直向裂隙,引起顶板与巷道夹矸层以上煤体沿软夹层向相邻采空区外错滑移的机制。建立了含软夹矸层巷道自稳平衡拱支护模型,提出了加强巷道上帮支护,控制外错滑移破坏的控制原则,给出了顶板锚索与煤帮长锚杆加强支护方案,工程实践取得了成功。     

深井孤岛工作面巷道围岩采动应力分区演化特征

针对深井孤岛工作面煤巷大变形问题,采用现场实测手段研究了回采过程中巷道和采空区应力动态演化规律以及巷道围岩变形破坏演化特征。研究结果表明：深井孤岛工作面巷道围岩应力演化与变形破坏具有显著的阶段性特征,工作面前方大于250 m范围,巷道围岩未受采动影响,围岩应力变化较小且变形主要集中在底板与煤柱肩窝;工作面前方100～250 m支护结构受力增大,巷道浅部围岩破碎,顶底板移近及煤柱内挤变形突出,巷道出现明显的非对称变形破坏;工作面前方100 m为强烈采动影响阶段,尤其是在工作面前方20～22 m围岩垂直应力与空间主应力变化比较剧烈,顶底板移近与两帮内挤变形更加突出,巷道围岩表现出明显的大变形破坏特征。根据采空区应力分区特征分析了顶板覆岩结构的动态演化过程。结合应力与变形破坏演化特征,提出了巷道支护对策,以期为深井巷道围岩控制提供一定指导。