Simulation of the Uniaxial Mechanical Properties and Crack Evolution of Coal Pillar-Artificial Dam in Abandoned Mines

Abstract

The key to the construction of underground reservoirs in abandoned mines is the construction of coal pillar-artificial dams, and the choice of bonding parameters between the coal pillars and artificial dams is the deciding factor that determines the engineering stability. Based on the analysis of the force state of coal pillar-artificial dams, the influence of the interface angle was analyzed. Seven sets of coal pillar-artificial dam specimens were prepared and a PFC3D numerical model was constructed to carry out the uniaxial compression test without lateral pressure. Based on the strength, deformation, and energy evolution characteristics of the coal pillar-artificial dam, the influence of the angle of the coal pillar-artificial dam interface on the performance of the specimen was analyzed. The research results showed that the force state of the coal pillar-artificial dam can be divided into three types. The composite simulation curve showed obvious postpeak viscosity. The compressive strength, peak strain, and average dissipated energy curves of the coal pillar-artificial dam showed a unimodal trend that first increased and then decreased. The total energy and elastic energy of the coal pillar-artificial dam showed an increasing trend during loading. The simulated initiation stress and damage stress of the coal pillar-artificial dam specimens were intermediate to that of the coal pillars and the artificial dams, which first increased and then decreased with the increase in inclination, reaching the peak at 70°.