Characterizing the deformation, failure, and water-conducting fractures evolution of shallow weakly cemented overburden under coal mining
Understanding the collapse mechanisms of shallow, multi-layered, weakly cemented overburden is key to safe and efficient coal mining in central and western China. Hence, we conducted a meter-scale similar physical model experiment using high-resolution digital speckle technology to replicate the def...
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| Format: | Article |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Earth Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1538324/full |
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| author | Zhenhua Li Yandong Zhang Xuefeng Gao Xuefeng Gao Dan Ma Dan Ma Limin Fan Guodong Li Xiaolei Li Min He Zheng Cheng |
| author_facet | Zhenhua Li Yandong Zhang Xuefeng Gao Xuefeng Gao Dan Ma Dan Ma Limin Fan Guodong Li Xiaolei Li Min He Zheng Cheng |
| author_sort | Zhenhua Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Understanding the collapse mechanisms of shallow, multi-layered, weakly cemented overburden is key to safe and efficient coal mining in central and western China. Hence, we conducted a meter-scale similar physical model experiment using high-resolution digital speckle technology to replicate the deformation and failure patterns of shallowly buried, weakly cemented overburden under mining activities, and to determine the initiation, development, and stability of water-conducting fractures. Additionally, a site-scale numerical model was developed to allow for the examination of the stress-displacement evolution within the weakly cemented overburden. The results indicate that the maximum vertical displacements at key locations such as the basic roof, the weakly cemented critical layer, and the surface were 8.9 m, 8.65 m, and 8.2 m, respectively. The collapse step distance of the basic roof was 22.4 m, and the maximum collapse height reached 48 m. After the weakly cemented critical layer failed, the overlying strata collapsed accordingly, with the actual water-conducting fracture zone reaching a maximum height of 96.3 m. After the completion of coal mining, the overburden experienced four periodic collapses. As the working face advanced, the overburden in the center of the mined-out area showed a state of stress release, while the overburden on both sides exhibited stress concentration. The maximum vertical stresses in the siltstone and sandstone were 6.7 MPa and 1.9 MPa, with stress concentration factors of 2.2 and 0.6, respectively. This study provides valuable insights into the safety management of weakly cemented overburden. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c554c891546e4ccab6faedfddf0a8c05 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-6463 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Earth Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-c554c891546e4ccab6faedfddf0a8c052025-02-12T07:26:36ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Earth Science2296-64632025-02-011310.3389/feart.2025.15383241538324Characterizing the deformation, failure, and water-conducting fractures evolution of shallow weakly cemented overburden under coal miningZhenhua Li0Yandong Zhang1Xuefeng Gao2Xuefeng Gao3Dan Ma4Dan Ma5Limin Fan6Guodong Li7Xiaolei Li8Min He9Zheng Cheng10School of Energy Science and Engineering, Henan Mine Water Disaster Prevention and Control and Water Resources Utilization Engineering Technology Research Center, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, Henan, ChinaShenhua New Street Energy Co., Ltd, Ordos, ChinaSchool of Energy Science and Engineering, Henan Mine Water Disaster Prevention and Control and Water Resources Utilization Engineering Technology Research Center, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, Henan, ChinaSchool of Mines, MOE Key Laboratory of Deep Coal Resource Mining, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, ChinaSchool of Energy Science and Engineering, Henan Mine Water Disaster Prevention and Control and Water Resources Utilization Engineering Technology Research Center, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, Henan, ChinaSchool of Mines, MOE Key Laboratory of Deep Coal Resource Mining, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, ChinaSchool of Mines, MOE Key Laboratory of Deep Coal Resource Mining, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, ChinaJiaozuo Coal Group Co., Ltd., Jiaozuo, ChinaJiaozuo Coal Industry (Group) Xinxiang Energy Co., Ltd., Jiaozuo, ChinaXinqiao Coal Mine of Yongmei Group Co., Ltd, Shangqiu, ChinaZhengzhou Coal Industry (Group) Yanghe Coal Industry Co., Ltd., Xinmi, ChinaUnderstanding the collapse mechanisms of shallow, multi-layered, weakly cemented overburden is key to safe and efficient coal mining in central and western China. Hence, we conducted a meter-scale similar physical model experiment using high-resolution digital speckle technology to replicate the deformation and failure patterns of shallowly buried, weakly cemented overburden under mining activities, and to determine the initiation, development, and stability of water-conducting fractures. Additionally, a site-scale numerical model was developed to allow for the examination of the stress-displacement evolution within the weakly cemented overburden. The results indicate that the maximum vertical displacements at key locations such as the basic roof, the weakly cemented critical layer, and the surface were 8.9 m, 8.65 m, and 8.2 m, respectively. The collapse step distance of the basic roof was 22.4 m, and the maximum collapse height reached 48 m. After the weakly cemented critical layer failed, the overlying strata collapsed accordingly, with the actual water-conducting fracture zone reaching a maximum height of 96.3 m. After the completion of coal mining, the overburden experienced four periodic collapses. As the working face advanced, the overburden in the center of the mined-out area showed a state of stress release, while the overburden on both sides exhibited stress concentration. The maximum vertical stresses in the siltstone and sandstone were 6.7 MPa and 1.9 MPa, with stress concentration factors of 2.2 and 0.6, respectively. This study provides valuable insights into the safety management of weakly cemented overburden.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1538324/fullweakly cemented overburdenoverburden failurewater-conducting fracturessimilar physical modelcoal mining |
| spellingShingle | Zhenhua Li Yandong Zhang Xuefeng Gao Xuefeng Gao Dan Ma Dan Ma Limin Fan Guodong Li Xiaolei Li Min He Zheng Cheng Characterizing the deformation, failure, and water-conducting fractures evolution of shallow weakly cemented overburden under coal mining Frontiers in Earth Science weakly cemented overburden overburden failure water-conducting fractures similar physical model coal mining |
| title | Characterizing the deformation, failure, and water-conducting fractures evolution of shallow weakly cemented overburden under coal mining |
| title_full | Characterizing the deformation, failure, and water-conducting fractures evolution of shallow weakly cemented overburden under coal mining |
| title_fullStr | Characterizing the deformation, failure, and water-conducting fractures evolution of shallow weakly cemented overburden under coal mining |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterizing the deformation, failure, and water-conducting fractures evolution of shallow weakly cemented overburden under coal mining |
| title_short | Characterizing the deformation, failure, and water-conducting fractures evolution of shallow weakly cemented overburden under coal mining |
| title_sort | characterizing the deformation failure and water conducting fractures evolution of shallow weakly cemented overburden under coal mining |
| topic | weakly cemented overburden overburden failure water-conducting fractures similar physical model coal mining |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1538324/full |
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