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A novel numerical modeling method for studying the failure mechanism of the main roof with different thicknesses in longwall coal seam mining

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Abstract

Discrete element method (DEM) has been widely used in studying fracture development of rock due to its ability to accurately depict particle interactions. In order to more intuitively describe the fracture characteristics of the main roof during coal seam mining using DEM, a novel numerical model for generating irregular particles roof (IPRM) in PFC3D is developed. In this novel model, irregular blocks are established using rblock, where the balls are placed to form irregular particles. Irregular particles use the flat-joint model, while the smooth-joint model is utilized between these irregular particles. The interlocking effect between the irregular particles of model can well restore the real failure characteristics of the main roof. Using the IPRM, five models of the main roof with varying thicknesses are created to investigate the failure characteristics with different thicknesses under uniform loads. The results show that the load-bearing capacity increases, and deflection decreases with the main roof thickness increasing. Additionally, the increase in main roof thickness leads to a shift in the failure pattern from “o-x” to “o- *,” accompanied by an increase in the fracture angle and the emergence of shear cracks. This change also leads to a transition of failure mode in the main roof from tensile failure to tensile-shear mixed failure. Finally, a mechanical model of the main roof is established, and the influence of different thicknesses and advance distance on the tensile stress and shear stress of the main roof is analyzed. It is found that the increase in the main roof thickness inhibits the development of tensile stress and promotes the development of shear stress, which is also the root cause of shear cracks and shear failure of the thick main roof. The study has theoretical guiding significance for ground control and is conducive to safe production of working face.

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Acknowledgements

This paper was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51974320, 51934008, and 52121003), China National Key R & D Program (2022YFC2904001), and China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing) Fundamental Research Funds—Outstanding Innovation Talents among Doctoral Students (BBJ2023007).

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  1. School of Energy and Mining Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China

    Shengli Yang, Hao Yue, Qiang Li, Ruihao Zhai & Yongsheng Chen

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  1. Shengli Yang
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  2. Hao Yue
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Correspondence to Hao Yue.

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Yang, S., Yue, H., Li, Q. et al. A novel numerical modeling method for studying the failure mechanism of the main roof with different thicknesses in longwall coal seam mining. Comp. Part. Mech. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40571-023-00705-8

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