## 1 Introduction  
In the northwestern region of China, the widespread presence of highly water-bearing and weakly cemented sandstone layers poses significant challenges to mine construction [1]. These weakly cemented, high-water, and low-permeability sandstone formations are prone to disintegration when exposed to moisture due to their low degree of cementation and weak structural integrity. They exhibit a notable softening coefficient and are susceptible to shrinkage and cracking after dewatering [2]. These characteristics result in various issues during processes such as underground tunnel excavation, support operations, and coal mining, including significant rock deformation, rapid deformations, and pronounced rheological behavior [3; 4; 5]. These challenges not only jeopardize the safety of workers but also have the potential to impact the economic feasibility of mining operations. In recent times, numerical simulation methods have gained increasing prominence in the field of permeability testing for fractured rocks. [PERSON] [6], for instance, employed discrete fracture network models with varying sizes and trace lengths to investigate the influence of fracture aperture and trace length on fractured rock permeability. [PERSON] [7] developed a series of numerical models aimed at examining the permeability of concrete materials. [PERSON] [8] utilized a combination of fracture network modeling and the discrete element method to analyze the coupling between seepage and stress processes, resulting in the establishment of a seepage-stress coupling model that integrates the seepage flow of rock masses. [PERSON] and [PERSON] [9; 10] conducted a comprehensive study on the seepage-stress coupling in rock masses during excavation using a discontinuous deformation analysis approach. [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON], and [PERSON] [11; 12; 13; 14] used acoustic emission and energy dissipation methods to analyze sandstones with different moisture levels. They found that the average cumulative acoustic emission energy release for dry and naturally occurring samples is significantly greater than for saturated samples. As the moisture content increases, the deformation mode of the sandstone gradually shifts from brittle to ductile. [PERSON] [15] discovered that as the water content increases, the influence of pore water on the dissolution of mineral particles becomes more apparent, reducing the elastic storage limit of sandstone. Under the action of gradient cyclic loading, the same cyclic sandstone damage factor significantly increases.  
[PERSON] integrated geological modeling with numerical simulations to calculate the seepage field of three-dimensional fractured rock masses. [PERSON], [PERSON], and [PERSON] carried out numerical investigations into seepage-stress coupling using various techniques, including boundary element, discontinuous element, and continuous element methods [8; 10; 15].  
Hence, gaining a comprehensive understanding of rock permeability is crucial for various aspects of mining operations, including site selection, design, planning, as well as research on rock behavior, and ground pressure control [16; 17; 18; 19; 20]. A lack of in-depth knowledge about rock permeability could increase the frequency of mining accidents.  
Studying the permeability characteristics of weakly cemented strata in coal measures can deepen our understanding of rock stability under conditions involving water [21]. Analyzing the permeability changes of weakly cemented rock formations under different stress conditions helps identify the root causes of water seepage problems in practical scenarios [22]. This, in turn, enhances the mitigation of geological hazards in similar strata and holds significant theoretical implications for understanding the permeability characteristics and mine ground pressure behavior in weakly cemented strata in the western mining regions of China.