Research on the technology of unloading pressure and preventing punching in extra-thick coal seams

Abstract This study addresses stress concentration in roadways and elastic energy accumulation in the cantilever beam of hard roofs within the goaf of extra-thick coal seams. Using the 61,607 working face of Longwanggou Mine as a case study, the key roof layer was identified through theoretical calc...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lixin Zhang, Zehui Deng, Gang Li, Guangchao Liu, Xu Lian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02064-1
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849731103503417344
author Lixin Zhang
Zehui Deng
Gang Li
Guangchao Liu
Xu Lian
author_facet Lixin Zhang
Zehui Deng
Gang Li
Guangchao Liu
Xu Lian
author_sort Lixin Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study addresses stress concentration in roadways and elastic energy accumulation in the cantilever beam of hard roofs within the goaf of extra-thick coal seams. Using the 61,607 working face of Longwanggou Mine as a case study, the key roof layer was identified through theoretical calculations, and hydraulic fracturing parameters were optimized via zoning and grading. Stress changes, displacement, and fracture distribution in the downtrack and retreat areas were analyzed using 3DEC software before and after fracturing. Microseismic monitoring evaluated energy and frequency of microseismic events, while borehole imaging observed post-fracturing fracture distribution. Results show that hydraulic fracturing reduces peak compressive stress from 34.8 to 19.2 MPa, representing a 44.8% reduction, and tensile stress in the mined-out void from 12.7 to 5.8 MPa, marking a 54.3% reduction. The high-stress concentration zone shrank from 68 to 20 m, corresponding to a 70.6% reduction, improving stress redistribution and structural stability. Roof subsidence increased by a factor of 1.96 to 2.07, facilitating earlier and more uniform subsidence of the hard rock layer and reducing overhang risks. Microseismic events with energy levels of 9500 J or greater decreased by 79%, confirming effective stress relief. Borehole imaging verified that hydraulic fracturing induced new fractures and expanded existing ones in the hard roof, disrupting its integrity, reducing seismic risks, and improving mining safety.
format Article
id doaj-art-363f5815d7874a2ab4aeffad99696e75
institution DOAJ
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-363f5815d7874a2ab4aeffad99696e752025-08-20T03:08:40ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-02064-1Research on the technology of unloading pressure and preventing punching in extra-thick coal seamsLixin Zhang0Zehui Deng1Gang Li2Guangchao Liu3Xu Lian4College of Mining, Liaoning Technical UniversityCollege of Mining, Liaoning Technical UniversityCollege of Mining, Liaoning Technical UniversityCollege of Mining, Liaoning Technical UniversityCollege of Mining, Liaoning Technical UniversityAbstract This study addresses stress concentration in roadways and elastic energy accumulation in the cantilever beam of hard roofs within the goaf of extra-thick coal seams. Using the 61,607 working face of Longwanggou Mine as a case study, the key roof layer was identified through theoretical calculations, and hydraulic fracturing parameters were optimized via zoning and grading. Stress changes, displacement, and fracture distribution in the downtrack and retreat areas were analyzed using 3DEC software before and after fracturing. Microseismic monitoring evaluated energy and frequency of microseismic events, while borehole imaging observed post-fracturing fracture distribution. Results show that hydraulic fracturing reduces peak compressive stress from 34.8 to 19.2 MPa, representing a 44.8% reduction, and tensile stress in the mined-out void from 12.7 to 5.8 MPa, marking a 54.3% reduction. The high-stress concentration zone shrank from 68 to 20 m, corresponding to a 70.6% reduction, improving stress redistribution and structural stability. Roof subsidence increased by a factor of 1.96 to 2.07, facilitating earlier and more uniform subsidence of the hard rock layer and reducing overhang risks. Microseismic events with energy levels of 9500 J or greater decreased by 79%, confirming effective stress relief. Borehole imaging verified that hydraulic fracturing induced new fractures and expanded existing ones in the hard roof, disrupting its integrity, reducing seismic risks, and improving mining safety.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02064-1Impact ground pressureExtra-thick coal seamsHydraulic fracturingMicroseismic monitoring
spellingShingle Lixin Zhang
Zehui Deng
Gang Li
Guangchao Liu
Xu Lian
Research on the technology of unloading pressure and preventing punching in extra-thick coal seams
Scientific Reports
Impact ground pressure
Extra-thick coal seams
Hydraulic fracturing
Microseismic monitoring
title Research on the technology of unloading pressure and preventing punching in extra-thick coal seams
title_full Research on the technology of unloading pressure and preventing punching in extra-thick coal seams
title_fullStr Research on the technology of unloading pressure and preventing punching in extra-thick coal seams
title_full_unstemmed Research on the technology of unloading pressure and preventing punching in extra-thick coal seams
title_short Research on the technology of unloading pressure and preventing punching in extra-thick coal seams
title_sort research on the technology of unloading pressure and preventing punching in extra thick coal seams
topic Impact ground pressure
Extra-thick coal seams
Hydraulic fracturing
Microseismic monitoring
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02064-1
work_keys_str_mv AT lixinzhang researchonthetechnologyofunloadingpressureandpreventingpunchinginextrathickcoalseams
AT zehuideng researchonthetechnologyofunloadingpressureandpreventingpunchinginextrathickcoalseams
AT gangli researchonthetechnologyofunloadingpressureandpreventingpunchinginextrathickcoalseams
AT guangchaoliu researchonthetechnologyofunloadingpressureandpreventingpunchinginextrathickcoalseams
AT xulian researchonthetechnologyofunloadingpressureandpreventingpunchinginextrathickcoalseams