Influences of coal-rock interface morphology’s spatiotemporal evolutionary characteristics on top coal caving law
Abstract The work examined how the spatiotemporal evolution of the coal-rock interface morphology affected the top coal caving ratio. The geological conditions of the 3307 fully mechanized caving face at Tang’an Coal Mine served as the research context. PFC2D simulations were conducted to analyze th...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-03-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92850-8 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849712779832852480 |
|---|---|
| author | Yupeng Shen Tuo Yang Jianzhuang Liu Yang Li Jianqiao Luo Xiaonan Zhang |
| author_facet | Yupeng Shen Tuo Yang Jianzhuang Liu Yang Li Jianqiao Luo Xiaonan Zhang |
| author_sort | Yupeng Shen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The work examined how the spatiotemporal evolution of the coal-rock interface morphology affected the top coal caving ratio. The geological conditions of the 3307 fully mechanized caving face at Tang’an Coal Mine served as the research context. PFC2D simulations were conducted to analyze the spatiotemporal evolution of coal-rock interface morphology during mining advancement. Simulations covered the caving intervals of 0.8, 1.6, and 2.4 m, with a mining height of 3 m and the top coal thickness of 3 m at a mining-to-caving ratio of 1:1. A quantitative relationship was established between the initial and final caving boundaries and coal-rock interface morphology. This revealed the intrinsic connections between the morphology, coal-rock movement, and the distribution of residual coal in the goaf. The influence of differences in coal-rock interface morphology on the top coal caving ratio was determined. The dynamic changes in the initial caving boundary (θ 1) occurred over time and space for caving intervals of 0.8, 1.6, and 2.4 m at a mining-to-caving ratio of 1:1. The initial caving boundary (θ 1) was categorized into the types A I ~ A II, B I ~ B II, and C I ~ C II based on its differences. The initial caving boundary (θ 1) variation pattern determined the final caving boundary (θ 2) and corresponding coal-rock interface morphology. Initial caving boundary angle θ 1 for types I and II decreased when the coal caving interval increased. For the same interval, initial boundary θ 1 for types I and II followed the pattern: θ I-1 > θ II-1. The corresponding change pattern for final boundary θ 2 was as follows. When θ 1 > 90°, θ 1 ≈ θ 2; when θ 1 < 90°, θ 1 < θ 2. For initial boundary θ 1 > 90° in A I, A II, and B I, N 1 ∥ N 2, and the morphological differences between types A I and A II were minimal. Morphological changes were gradual, which resulted in minor fluctuations in the top coal caving volume. For initial boundary θ 1 < 90° in B II, C I, and C II, θ 1 < θ 2. The difference between types I-II of B I ~ B II and C I ~ C II became more pronounced as the interval length increased. The difference between the peak and trough corresponding to types I ~ II increased. The sinusoidal periodic change pattern in top coal caving volume became more evident, which decreased the top coal recovery rate. The minimal morphological differences and gentle spatiotemporal distribution of type-A I and -A II coal-rock interfaces offered new insights for intelligent coal caving control and applications in this mine or similar mines. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-be854b0d2c4044d4b4c086300bf25d23 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-be854b0d2c4044d4b4c086300bf25d232025-08-20T03:14:09ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-92850-8Influences of coal-rock interface morphology’s spatiotemporal evolutionary characteristics on top coal caving lawYupeng Shen0Tuo Yang1Jianzhuang Liu2Yang Li3Jianqiao Luo4Xiaonan Zhang5School of Resources Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing)School of Resources Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing)College of Mining Engineering, North China University of Science and TechnologyShanxi Jincheng Coal Group Technology Research Institute Co LtdSchool of Resources Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing)School of Resources Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing)Abstract The work examined how the spatiotemporal evolution of the coal-rock interface morphology affected the top coal caving ratio. The geological conditions of the 3307 fully mechanized caving face at Tang’an Coal Mine served as the research context. PFC2D simulations were conducted to analyze the spatiotemporal evolution of coal-rock interface morphology during mining advancement. Simulations covered the caving intervals of 0.8, 1.6, and 2.4 m, with a mining height of 3 m and the top coal thickness of 3 m at a mining-to-caving ratio of 1:1. A quantitative relationship was established between the initial and final caving boundaries and coal-rock interface morphology. This revealed the intrinsic connections between the morphology, coal-rock movement, and the distribution of residual coal in the goaf. The influence of differences in coal-rock interface morphology on the top coal caving ratio was determined. The dynamic changes in the initial caving boundary (θ 1) occurred over time and space for caving intervals of 0.8, 1.6, and 2.4 m at a mining-to-caving ratio of 1:1. The initial caving boundary (θ 1) was categorized into the types A I ~ A II, B I ~ B II, and C I ~ C II based on its differences. The initial caving boundary (θ 1) variation pattern determined the final caving boundary (θ 2) and corresponding coal-rock interface morphology. Initial caving boundary angle θ 1 for types I and II decreased when the coal caving interval increased. For the same interval, initial boundary θ 1 for types I and II followed the pattern: θ I-1 > θ II-1. The corresponding change pattern for final boundary θ 2 was as follows. When θ 1 > 90°, θ 1 ≈ θ 2; when θ 1 < 90°, θ 1 < θ 2. For initial boundary θ 1 > 90° in A I, A II, and B I, N 1 ∥ N 2, and the morphological differences between types A I and A II were minimal. Morphological changes were gradual, which resulted in minor fluctuations in the top coal caving volume. For initial boundary θ 1 < 90° in B II, C I, and C II, θ 1 < θ 2. The difference between types I-II of B I ~ B II and C I ~ C II became more pronounced as the interval length increased. The difference between the peak and trough corresponding to types I ~ II increased. The sinusoidal periodic change pattern in top coal caving volume became more evident, which decreased the top coal recovery rate. The minimal morphological differences and gentle spatiotemporal distribution of type-A I and -A II coal-rock interfaces offered new insights for intelligent coal caving control and applications in this mine or similar mines.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92850-8Fully mechanized caving miningCoal-rock interfaceSpatiotemporal distribution characteristicsCaved bodyTop-coal caving ratio |
| spellingShingle | Yupeng Shen Tuo Yang Jianzhuang Liu Yang Li Jianqiao Luo Xiaonan Zhang Influences of coal-rock interface morphology’s spatiotemporal evolutionary characteristics on top coal caving law Scientific Reports Fully mechanized caving mining Coal-rock interface Spatiotemporal distribution characteristics Caved body Top-coal caving ratio |
| title | Influences of coal-rock interface morphology’s spatiotemporal evolutionary characteristics on top coal caving law |
| title_full | Influences of coal-rock interface morphology’s spatiotemporal evolutionary characteristics on top coal caving law |
| title_fullStr | Influences of coal-rock interface morphology’s spatiotemporal evolutionary characteristics on top coal caving law |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influences of coal-rock interface morphology’s spatiotemporal evolutionary characteristics on top coal caving law |
| title_short | Influences of coal-rock interface morphology’s spatiotemporal evolutionary characteristics on top coal caving law |
| title_sort | influences of coal rock interface morphology s spatiotemporal evolutionary characteristics on top coal caving law |
| topic | Fully mechanized caving mining Coal-rock interface Spatiotemporal distribution characteristics Caved body Top-coal caving ratio |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92850-8 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yupengshen influencesofcoalrockinterfacemorphologysspatiotemporalevolutionarycharacteristicsontopcoalcavinglaw AT tuoyang influencesofcoalrockinterfacemorphologysspatiotemporalevolutionarycharacteristicsontopcoalcavinglaw AT jianzhuangliu influencesofcoalrockinterfacemorphologysspatiotemporalevolutionarycharacteristicsontopcoalcavinglaw AT yangli influencesofcoalrockinterfacemorphologysspatiotemporalevolutionarycharacteristicsontopcoalcavinglaw AT jianqiaoluo influencesofcoalrockinterfacemorphologysspatiotemporalevolutionarycharacteristicsontopcoalcavinglaw AT xiaonanzhang influencesofcoalrockinterfacemorphologysspatiotemporalevolutionarycharacteristicsontopcoalcavinglaw |