Study on Critical Width of Semi-Coal Rock Roadway of Shallow-Buried Thin Coal Seam Based on Coal Side Self-Stabilization
Authors: Wang Hongsheng , Liu Yi , Li Lei , Yue Guixiang , Jia Lei 
Published: July 2024

In the context of a shallow-buried thin coal seam, the surrounding rock deformation in the semi-coal rock roadway is comparatively small, resulting in self-stabilization of the two sides of the roadway without the need for support when the roadway is below a critical width. This study focuses on the transportation roadway of the 2107 working face in the Anzhe Coal Mine, employing a combination of laboratory tests, field tests, theoretical analyses, and numerical simulations. A mechanical model for the layered roof of the semi-coal rock roadway in a shallow-buried thin coal seam is developed, along with a calculation formula for determining the critical width of such roadways. The study also initially examines the correlation between the critical width and factors such as the tensile strength of the roof, the buried depth of the roadway, and the thickness of the immediate roof strata under conditions where the coal sides of the roadway are self-stabilizing. The results showed the following. (1) The calculation formula has good applicability for typical shallow-buried mine roadways in the Niuwu mining area and shallow-buried semi-coal rock roadways with coal thickness below 0.7 m under similar geological conditions. The critical width is related to the tensile strength of the roof, the buried depth of the roadway, and the thickness of the immediate roof strata. The degree of influence is determined by the thickness of the immediate roof strata > the tensile strength of the roof > the buried depth of the roadway. Among these, the tensile strength of the roof, the thickness of the immediate roof strata, and the critical width are basically in a positive exponentially increasing relationship, and the buried depth of the roadway and the critical width are basically in a negative exponentially decreasing relationship. (2) The on-site measurement of the loose circle on both sides of the roadway revealed that the rock mass loose circle had a thickness of 0.2 m, while the coal loose circle had a thickness ranging from 0.6 m to 0.7 m, aligning closely with the results obtained from theoretical calculations. The thickness of the coal loose circle on both sides served as the basis for determining the critical width of the semi-coal rock roadway in the shallow-buried thin coal seam. The calculated critical width of the roadway was 2.9 m, whereas the actual width measured was 2.4 m. Consequently, the two sides of the roadway are deemed capable of self-stabilization in the unsupported state. (3) Following the optimization of the support scheme, engineering analysis indicates that the roof and floor exhibit a maximum convergence of 46.3 mm, while the two sides show a maximum convergence of 18.4 mm. It is observed that the surrounding rock of the roadway satisfies the safety requirements for production. This study can provide theoretical support and a scientific basis for the stability discrimination of two sides and surrounding rock control of semi-coal rock roadways in shallow-buried thin coal seams under similar conditions.