Assessment of parting rock weak zones under the joint and downward mining of coal seams

Abstract

The aim of the forecasting effort is to identify troublesome zones of stability loss by a parting lengthwise of the extraction panel under the joint and downward mining of coal seams. Analyses have been carried out of active stress component curves for a 3-D model computational experiment compared with the strength characteristic of each lithotype of a parting. An algorithm has been developed for the stability assessment of a parting lengthwise along the extraction panel. The relationship patterns have been estimated between the sizes of the parting rocks discontinuity zones and the main geomechanical parameters. A scientifically grounded basis has been created for the detection of the parting rock weak zones lengthwise along the extraction panel for the calculation of the mounting and security systems of the development works. A complex of underground instrumental observations was made, which was used to set up a correspondence of patterns to indicate the variation in rock pressure manifestation intensity and the tendencies for changes in the parting structure. All of this confirms the adequacy of the techniques for parting state forecasting, which is recommended for use in the engineering documentation for the joint and downward mining of coal seams.