Data from: Strain energy analysis of floor heave in longwall gateroads

Floor heave in longwall gateroads is a severe issue that affects the mining safety and efficiency. Researchers, however, have limited understanding on the floor heave mechanism because the deformation of the post-failure rocks in the floor is seldom considered previously. In this study, we developed a theoretical model using the strain energy theory to investigate the post-failure deformation of rocks. This model was validated before being implemented into a numerical modelling package, FLAC3D, for floor heave analysis. Based on a case study of a longwall entry employing stiff-yield pillar configuration, we observe that the massive floor heave occurs at the entry rib that takes less loads (yield pillar) and eventually propagates toward the other rib bearing significant amount of loads (stiff pillar). This observation sheds lights on the floor heave mechanism in longwall gateroads and has major implications on the control technologies for a safe and efficient longwall mining.

长壁回采巷道底鼓是严重影响采矿安全与生产效率的突出问题。然而，由于以往研究极少考虑底板破坏后岩体的变形特征，学界对巷道底鼓的形成机理尚缺乏充分认知。本研究基于应变能理论构建了岩体破坏后变形的理论模型，经验证后将其嵌入数值模拟软件FLAC3D中用于开展巷道底鼓分析。针对采用刚柔组合煤柱（stiff-yield pillar）布置方案的长壁回采巷道开展案例研究，研究观测到大规模巷道底鼓率先出现在承载载荷较低的巷道帮部（即让压煤柱（yield pillar）侧），并最终向承载显著载荷的另一侧帮部（即刚性煤柱（stiff pillar）侧）扩展。该观测结果阐明了长壁回采巷道底鼓的形成机理，对实现安全高效长壁开采的围岩控制技术具有重要指导价值。