Numerical Modeling Approach on Mining-Induced Strata Structural Behavior by Considering the Fracture-Weakening Effect on Rock Mass

By employing the longwall mining method, a series of intensive strata structure responses and activities will be induced including stress redistribution, fracture extension and strata movement. Due to the geological stratification feature of coal mine strata, tensile failure and tension-induced fracturing play dominant roles in the strata of the fractured zone. These responses induced in the strata require the consideration of the weakening effect on the rock mass behavior due to failure and fracturing in tension. In this study, a numerical modeling approach on mining-induced strata structural behaviors was proposed by considering the mechanical behaviors of the caved zone consolidation and tension-induced weakening in the fractured zone. Based on a numerical model built according to a study site, a parametric study with respect to different fracturing intensity parameters was performed to investigate the fracturing weakening effect on the mining-induced stress redistribution and strata movement. The numerical results showed that the tensile fracture intensity had a notable effect on the mining-induced stress distribution in two aspects: (1) Increase in peak and area of the front abutment stress; (2) variation in the patterns of stress recovery in the goaf. The stress data obtained from numerical simulation represent and help to back-analyze the structural behaviors (failure, movement) of the overlying strata. The high stress on the coal seam indicated that the strata lay on and transferred loads to the seam, while the low stress indicated the detachment between the seam and the suspending strata. With the increase in fracture intensity, the roof strata were more prone to breaking and caving, and the suspending length of the roof beam decreased, which made the strata sufficiently break, cave and transfer the overburden load to loose rock in the goaf; caving along the strike direction of the panel became the dominant overlying strata structure movement, while the dominant movement caved along the dip direction in the case of strong and intact overlying strata with few tensile fractures. Thus, the tensile fracturing intensity should not be ignored in studies related to the behaviors of the overlying strata. Validated by analytical studies, this study presents a novel numerical modeling approach for this topic and can be utilized for multiple studies based on proper roof fracturing estimation or back analysis.