Similarity Simulation on the Movement Characteristics of Surrounding Rock and Floor Stress Distribution for Large-Dip Coal Seam.

The question of how to mine safely in close multi coal seams is the main concern for coal operators, in particular for large-dip coal seams with complex geological and mechanical conditions. This paper presents a detailed similarity simulation on the movement characteristics of the overburden and the stress distribution of underlying strata in terms of a specific coal mine in the Tielieke mining area of the Kubai coalfield via a three-dimensional photogrammetry system and a high-speed static resistance analyzer. The results show that the overburden strata are asymmetrically deformed around the coal pillar and the fracture area is perpendicular to the longwall with an "M" shape when deeper coal is mined. Moreover, the asymmetric movement of overburden results in the non-uniform distribution of stress on the floor of the coal pillar and ribs. In particular, stress is closely related to the location of the longwall, and stress of the coal pillar is much larger when it is closer to the deep side. The floor stress relief degree of the longwall in the deep zone is higher than that of its counterparts, providing a theoretical foundation for a reasonable layout and a support technique for roadways. The main contribution of this research that it can be used as a reference in maintaining the integrity of surrounding rock for large-dip coal seams with close distances.

Numerical Investigation on the Compressive Behavior of Desert Sand-Based Backfill Material: Parametric Study.

As a key node in the promotion of the "Western Development" strategy in Xinjiang, China, the large-scale mining of coal resources is bound to cause a series of ecological and environmental problems, such as surface subsidence. Desert areas are widely distributed in Xinjiang, and from the perspective of reserves and sustainable development, it is crucial to fully utilize desert sand to make filling materials and predict its mechanical strength. In order to promote the application of High Water Backfill Material (HWBM) in mining engineering, a modified HWBM doped with Xinjiang Kumutage desert sand was used to prepare a desert sand-based backfill material, and its mechanical properties were tested. The discrete element particle flow software PFC3D is used to construct a three-dimensional numerical model of desert sand-based backfill material. The parameters such as sample sand content, porosity, desert sand particle size distribution, and model size are changed to study their impact on the bearing performance and scale effect of desert sand-based backfill materials. The results indicate that a higher content of desert sand can effectively improve the mechanical properties of HWBM specimens. The stress-strain relationship inverted by the numerical model is highly consistent with the measured results of desert sand-based backfill materials. Improving the particle size distribution of desert sand and reducing the porosity of filling materials within a certain range can significantly improve the bearing capacity of desert sand-based backfill materials. The influence of changing the range of microscopic parameters on the compressive strength of desert sand-based backfill materials was analyzed. This study provides a desert sand-based backfill material that meets the requirements of mine filling, and predicts its strength through numerical simulation.