International Journal of Mining Science and Technology 27 (2017) 819823

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International Journal of Mining Science and Technology

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ijmst

Surrounding rock control of gob-side entry driving with narrow coal

pillar and roadway side sealing technology in Yangliu Coal Mine
Zha Wenhua , Shi Hao, Liu San, Kang Changhao
Key Laboratory of Safe and Effective Coal Mining, School of Mining and Safety Engineering, Anhui University of Science & Technology, Ministry of Education, Huainan 232001, China

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Gob-side entry driving can increase coal recovery ratio, and it is implied in many coal mines. Based on
Received 9 January 2017 geological condition of 10416 working face tailentry in Yangliu Coal Mine, the surrounding rock deforma-
Received in revised form 15 March 2017 tion characteristics of gob-side entry driving with narrow coal pillar is analysed, reasonable size of coal
Accepted 18 April 2017
pillar and reasonable roadway excavation time after mining are achieved. Surrounding rock control tech-
Available online 10 August 2017
nology and effective roadway side sealing technology are proposed and are taken into field practice. The
results showed that a safer and more efficient mining of working face can be achieved. In addition, results
Keywords:
of this paper also have important theoretical significance and valuable reference for surrounding rock
Narrow coal pillar
Gob-side entry driving
control technology of gob-side entry driving with narrow coal pillar under special geological condition.
Surrounding rock control 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of China University of Mining & Technology. This is an open
Roadway side sealing technology access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

1. Introduction the cost of support and maintenance, and can also be used for nor-
mal roadway conditions.
Chain pillar size is one of the main factors that affect stability of
roadway surrounding rock [13]. The determination of reasonable
2. Engineering background
coal pillar size is important in roadway support design [4,5]. The
stability of coal pillar is determined by the load of coal pillar, the
10416 working face is a subsequent working face of 10414
width and shape of coal pillar, and the mechanical properties of
working face in Yangliu Coal Mine. Working face tailentry was
coal pillar and surrounding rocks. Coal pillar is stable if larger
excavated along the gob. The strike length of 10416 working face
width increases, but more coal resource may be lost. Meanwhile,
is 1160 m, and dip length is 180 m. The mining coal layer is #10
coal pillar intents to break if a smaller width is chosen, which
coal seam that is formed in Permian Shanxi formation. Fully-
may threat mining safety but more coal resource can be recovered.
mechanized coal mining technology is adopted in 10416 working
It is contradicted between coal recovery ratio and roadway defor-
face. The elevation of the working face is from
570 to
610 m.
mation. How to design a reasonable coal pillar size is a problem
Main roof is 8.45 m fine sandstone, immediate roof is 4.37 m mud-
for mining engineering.
stone, main floor is 5 m fine sandstone, and direct floor is 1.44 m
Gob-side entry driving is a technology for roadway layout in
mudstone. The physical and mechanical parameters of surround-
underground mining [69]. Support design and construction of
ing rock are shown in Table 1.
gob-side entry driving is usually based on experience or engineer-
ing analogy rather than scientific theories. Therefore, high cost or
less stability of roadway often occur. In this paper, based on the 3. Surrounding rock deformation characteristics of gob-side
specific geological condition of 10416 working face gob-side entry driving with narrow coal pillar
tailentry in Yangliu Coal Mine, surrounding rock deformation char-
acteristics of gob-side entry driving with narrow coal pillar is anal- Gob-side entry driving makes the roadway lay in solid coal and
ysed, and reasonable roadway excavation time after mining and gob. Face-end main roof caving feature is that the face-end broken
reasonable size of coal pillar are achieved. The corresponding rock line of working face is in an arc, and the arc triangle block B is
control technologies are used in the field. The achievement reduces formed (shown in Fig. 1) [10,11].
When the second working face is mined, the original equilib-
rium state of overlying large structure will be strongly affected.
Corresponding author. The process can be summed up as: main roof strata will develop
E-mail address: whzha@126.com (W. Zha). new breakage when second working face is mined; the newly

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2017.07.023
2095-2686/ 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of China University of Mining & Technology.
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
820 W. Zha et al. / International Journal of Mining Science and Technology 27 (2017) 819823
Table 1
Physical and mechanical parameters of surrounding rock.
Rock Bulk density (kg/m3) Tensile strength (MPa)
Fine sandstone 2605 4.53
Mudstone 2613 2.15
Fig. 1. Relation between roadway along gob and overlying rock mass structure.
developed block A and the original arc triangular block B are
hinged with each other. After main roof caving, key block A and
B are in unstable state due to moments M and M0 , which are in
front of the roadway along gob, the high abutment pressure is
formed (Fig. 1).
According to the geological condition of 10416 working face,
the main roof will be stable during the excavation period along
the gob and the surrounding rock deformation is small. When
the working face is mined, the key block A and C will move due
to dynamic pressure. The motion of the key block A and C breaks
the balanced structure. And the weight of overlying strata is
applied to roadway support, which causes large deformation for
the 10416 working face tailentry at last.
4. Reasonable excavation time and reasonable coal pillar size of
roadway along gob
4.1. Reasonable excavation time
After the first working face is mined out, the overlying strata
gradually stabilized. It is very difficult to control surrounding rock
deformation if the overlying strata is not stable. Therefore, the
study of reasonable excavation time is very important for sur-
rounding rock stability.
After the main roof broke and caving in gob, the masonry beam
is formed. The main roof above roadway is braced by the masonry
beam, waste, roadway support and solid coal, which can be simpli-
fied into hinged bearing. The mechanical structure model is shown
in Fig. 2, and the time that main roof reach a stable state is shown
in Eq. (1) [12].
2g qz Lm
T 1 ln
E1 qz Lm
2kh
kc
1mz 
where h is mining height, m; kc the residual expansion coefficient of
caving rock; mz the height of immediate roof, m; k the compressive
strength of crushed rock, N/m2; qz the upper load of rock beam,
Fig. 2. Mechanical model of main roof after fracture.
Compressive strength (MPa) Elastic modulus (GPa) Deformation modulus (GPa) Poisson ratio
79.50 21.77 27.97 0.245
37.23 7.64 4.94 0.135
N/m2; Lm the breaking span of main roof, m; E1 the elastic modulus
of main roof, Pa; and g1 the viscous modulus, Pa.
For 10416 working face, mining depth is 600 m. Other parame-
ters are follows: e 9  10
5 , E1 2:17  1010 Pa, g1 4:41
13
10 N  s=mm , k 2:13  104 kN, kc 1:051:15, qz 2:568
2
6
10 N=m2 , h1 8:45 m, h 3:2 m, mz 4:37 m, and Lm 26:5 m.
The calculation consequence of main roof reach stable state after
mining in 10416 working face is 85102 d. Comprehensive consid-
eration of other factors, 10416 working face tailentry started to
excavate four months after the end of 10414 working face mining.
4.2. Determination of narrow coal pillar width in gob-side entry
driving
The width of chain pillar directly affects the stable of the road-
way surrounding rock and coal pillar, and the coal recovery ratio is
closely related to the chain pillar. The major factors of chain pillars
width include mining depth, angle of coal seam, the ultimate
strength of coal pillar, friction angle of contact interface between
coal seam and rock strata, cohesive force of contact surface
between coal seam and rock strata, support resistance, mining dis-
turbance coefficient, lateral restriction of gob to coal pillar, etc. The
ultimate strength, friction angle of contact interface between coal
seam and rock strata, cohesive force of contact surface between
coal seam and rock strata are closely related.
Through the stress model of limit equilibrium zone (Fig. 3) and
limit equilibrium zone width formula (shown in Eq. (2)), the width
of the limit equilibrium zone can be worked out as x1 1:69 m, the
broken zone and the plastic zone range is 0.8, 1.2 m [13,14]. The
sum of the roadway broken zone range and the plastic zone range
is 2.0 m, thus, the required anchor length should be more than
2.0 m. As x2 2 m, x1 1:69 m, x3 0:2  2 1:69 0:74, and
the reasonable width of coal pillar is B x1 x2 x3 4:43 m.
To facilitate the engineering construction and consider certain
safety coefficient, the width of 10416 working face tailentry coal
pillar is set to be 5 m.
8 9
Mb <K c H cos a tan u 2C
Mc sin a=2 tan u =
0
x1 ln 0 0 0 0
2 tan u0 : 2C 0
Mc0 sin a
Px ;
2 tan u0 b
2
1
where M is the roadway height, m; a the dip angle of coal seam, ; b
the side pressure coefficient, and b 1
ll; l the poisson ratio; u0 the
Fig. 3. Stress analysis of limit equilibrium zone.
 W. Zha et al. / International Journal of Mining Science and Technology 27 (2017) 819823
internal friction angle, ; C 0 the cohesion, kN/m2; K 1 the stress con-
centration factor; H the depth of roadway, m; c0 the average body
force of rock strata, kN/m3.
5. Roadway surrounding rock deformation control and sealing
technology
5.1. Technology of roadway surrounding rock deformation control
Combining extraction roadway surrounding rock stability clas-
sification and support decision system with theoretical calcula-
tion result, and considering field production practice, the support
parameters of 10416 working face tailentry are as follows; roof
bolt specification is U22 mm  2500 mm, 700 mm  800 mm
spacing, and #8 wire mesh. The wire mesh specifications is
1000 mm  1000 mm. The bolt torque should be larger than
300 Nm. Anchoring force should be great than 80 kN. M4 steel belt
length is 4400 mm; two sides bolt specification is
U20 mm  2200 mm, 650 mm  800 mm spacing, laying plastic
net and steel mesh with width of 1000 mm and length of
Fig. 4. Roadway bolt support section.
821
1200 mm. The bolt torques is great than 200 Nm. Anchoring force
is large than 60 Nm. The length of M3 steel belt is 2800 mm;
anchor cable reinforcement is adopted to roof supporting by 2
02 form decorated, spacing between 1500 mm  1600 mm. Each
row is arranged two anchor cables. The specification of anchor
cable is U17.8 mm  6300 mm, and anchor cable tray specification
is 400 mm  400 mm. The prestressed force is not less than
100 kN, and firmly tight force is not less than 200 kN. Support dia-
gram is shown in Fig. 4.
5.2. Sealing technology
In order to prevent spontaneous combustion of coal seam, gas
accident and the water inrush accident by air leakage in gob-side
entry driving, sealing technology should be adopted. Air leakage
distance that is calculated by Eq. (3) is 0.86 m [15]. The sum of
air leakage distance and the plastic zone range is 4.55 m, so only
0.45 m coal pillar plays a role on isolation in 5 m coal pillar. In
order to ensure the seal of the narrow coal pillar in abnormal area
or influenced by dynamic pressure, the sealing technology is
822 W. Zha et al. / International Journal of Mining Science and Technology 27 (2017) 819823

required. According to the related domestic engineering practice,

grouting is adopted in 10416 working face tailentry along gob.
 4
r
K 0 1
ab r Lf UF
L 3
QS3 Sa
where L is the air leakage distance, m; K 0 the permeability coeffi-
cient of the original rock mass; r the load in unit length coal pillar,
MPa; a the coupling parameters of the influence of tensile stress and Fig. 5. Roadway surface displacement curve during excavation.
zero stress on permeability coefficient; b the coupling parameters of
the influence of high pressure stress on the permeability coefficient;
Lf the unit length of roadway, m; U the perimeter of roadway, m; F
the inlet section area, m2; Q the air flow of unit roadway length per
unit time, m3; Sa the inner surface area of unit roadway, m2; and S
the area of roadway section, m2.
P.O42.5 ordinary Portland cement was chosen as grouting
material. According to the strength of rock specimen after grouting
by different water cement ratios in the laboratory, the appropriate
water cement ratio is determined. The compressive strength of
four proportions (0.5:1, 0.75:1, 1:1, 1.5:1) is shown in the Table 2. Fig. 6. Roadway surface displacement curve during mining.
It can be seen, when the water cement ratio is 0.75:11:1, the
slurry effect is better. Considering the permeability of the slurry
and other factors, 1:1 is adopted. (2) Surrounding rock movement of the tailentry can be divided
Grouting pressure is controlled between 0.8 and 1.0 MPa. The into 3 stages. The first stage is the severe movement of sur-
shallow hole grouting pressure is 2.02.5 MPa. Deep hole grouting rounding rock, which is about 25 m away from virgin head,
pressure is 2.53.0 MPa. When grouting around the drill pipe and the surrounding rock surface displacement of roadway
splashes or breaks out, that means the drill hole filled, grouting increase rapidly. The second stage is the smooth movement
is stopped; the slurry concentration in the process of grouting of surrounding rock, which is about 2552 m away from vir-
should be carried out in accordance with the dilute before gin head, and the surrounding rock surface displacement of
strengthening process. When a certain level of concentration of roadway gradually decreases and tends to be stable. The
slurry is injected, if the plasma does not decrease or pressure does third stage is stability movement of surrounding rock, which
not rise up, the level of serum concentration should be increased. If is away from virgin head outside of 52 m, and the surround-
the grouting pressure increases continuously, we grout the slurry ing rock surface displacement of roadway is small.
to a design pressure. Rapid hardening cement should be used to
seal the holes, and hole sealing length should not be less than In the mining period:
300 mm.
Two rows of grouting bolts are set in the grouting area of two (1) Convergence between roof and floor is larger than two sides,
sides of the roadway, and the distance from the two rows of grout- the maximum roof and floor convergence is 210 mm, while,
ing bolts to the roadway floor is 1 and 2 m respectively. The grout- the maximum displacement of two sides is 178 mm. The
ing bolt is hollow rebar anchor, and its geometric parameter is deformation of the roadway is in the controllable range,
u20 mm  2000 mm. and the roadway along gob with narrow coal pillar is also
in a stable state. Therefore, 5 m coal pillar and the design
6. Analysis of industrial test results of roadway support program meet the production needs.
(2) Surrounding rock movement of tailentry can be divided into
Fig. 5 shows the roadway surface displacement curve during 3 stages. The first stage is the severe movement of surround-
excavation. Fig. 6 indicates the roadway surface displacement ing rock, which is about 25 m away from working face, and
curve during mining. the surrounding rock surface displacement of roadway
The results show that in the excavation period: increase rapidly. The second stage is the smooth stage of sur-
rounding rock movement, which is about 2560 m away
(1) Convergence between roof and floor is larger than two sides, from working face, and the surrounding rock surface dis-
and the maximum is 150 mm, while, the maximum dis- placement of roadway gradually decreases, and tends to be
placement of two sides is 110 mm. stable. The third stage is the stability of surrounding rock
movement, which is away from working face outside of
60 m, and the surrounding rock surface displacement of
Table 2 roadway changes smaller.
Compression strength in deferent water cement ratio.

Water cement ratio Compression strength (MPa)

7. Conclusions
3d 7d 14 d 28 d
0.5:1 5.5 9.5 13.2 15.9
(1) The reasonable roadway excavation time of 10416 working
0.75:1 3.9 7.8 9.1 11.3
1:1 3.0 5.7 7.9 9.2 face tailentry is found as 4 months.
1.5:1 0.2 0.8 2.8 3.2 (2) Based on the calculation of the coal pillar limit equilibrium
0.5:1 7.2 18.5 22.3 24.1 zone, the reasonable width of coal pillar in 10416 working face can
0.75:1 5.5 11.5 12.3 13.8 be obtained as 5 m, taking into account of the adjacent working
1:1 3.2 8.5 10.6 11.5
1.5:1 0.5 1.2 3.9 4.6
face mining and the layout analysis of gob-side entry driving with
narrow coal pillar.
 W. Zha et al. / International Journal of Mining Science and Technology 27 (2017) 819823
(3) The anchorage support parameters of the 10416 working
face tailentry can also be determined. Through the field test, its
supporting design can meet the normal production need.
Acknowledgments
Financial support for this work was provided by the National
Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51474005, 51004002).
We also would like to thank the anonymous reviewers who have
helped to improve the paper.
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