Experimental Investigation on the Tensile Strength of Coal: Consideration of the Specimen Size and Water Content

Abstract

We experimentally and theoretically explored the microstructure-related effects of water and specimen size on the tensile strength of coal. Cylindrical coal specimens with different sizes (diameters of 25, 38, and 50 mm) and water contents (immersion time lengths: 0, 4, and 7 days) were processed. The microscopic features and mineral compositions of the coal samples were imaged and characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The physicochemical effects of water on the microstructures and coal matrices were investigated by acoustic emission (AE) and fractal theory. In this research, the tensile strength was found to be reduced in larger specimens, which can be explained by an exponential correlation. Water enhances the scale effect on the tensile strength of coal, although the water content decreases in larger specimens. Meanwhile, greater reductions in tensile strength were observed under the coupled effects of the water and specimen size. Based on the AE variation and fractal feature analysis, water was considered to mainly plays roles in dissolving clay minerals, softening the coal matrix, and lubricating cracks during the tensile failure of coal. In addition, the cumulative AE counts and absolute AE energy values decreased with the water content and increased with the specimen size. Similar variations were also observed in the fractal dimension, indicating the intensification of the AE activity concentration around the peak strength area in specimens with greater water contents, as well as a concentration reduction in larger specimen sizes with different water contents. The percentage of tensile failure increased in the diameter range of 25–38 mm and decreased in the range of 38–50 mm. Water increases the proportion of tensile strength generated during the tensile failure process, and this effects increases with the immersion time. Thus, consideration should be given to the combined water and scale effects when extrapolating lab-investigation results to water-related engineering issues in coal mines.