Research on the Characteristics of Seepage Failure in the Surrounding Rock (Coal) of the Goafs

Abstract

During mining, the brittle fracture structure of coal makes it highly susceptible to disturbance, leading to changes in the permeability of the coal seam from non-conductive to water-conductive, which poses a significant threat to the stability and safety of coal pillars in goafs. Therefore, understanding the damage mechanisms of coal during water–rock interactions is crucial for ensuring mine safety. In this paper, based on laboratory seepage tests, the impact of hydrodynamic forces on the microstructure of fissured coal and its subsequent effect on permeability is examined. The study found that increasing confining pressure causes the “closure” of coal fissures, leading to a reduction in permeability. Additionally, during the initial stage of seepage, fine particles within the coal samples are mobilized due to seepage damage, leading to channel blockages and further reductions in permeability. However, as seepage continues, the hydraulic channels eventually open fully, resulting in a sharp increase in permeability. Furthermore, using a two-dimensional fracture seepage model, the study investigated how the scale of fractures in the water-conducting channels influences seepage behavior. A critical fracture width method was proposed to predict permeability surges, offering a new approach for analyzing the stability of coal pillars in mining areas.

Keywords

• permeability of the coal
• water–rock interaction
• seepage damage
• two-dimensional fracture seepage model
• critical width method