Experimental Study on the Mechanical Parameters Relating to the Impact Tendency of Coal Sample ()
1. Introduction
Coal burst, also known as the abrupt and disastrous failure of coal, is a severe safety risk for underground coal mines and has generated a great deal of academic interest from geology and mining scholars [1] . The first coal burst to be documented occurred in England in 1738 [2] [3] . Since that time, mining depth has increased both the intensity and frequency of coal bursts [2] [4] [5] . Because the propensity of coal to impact deeper seams of coal mining is a crucial factor in the incidence of rock fractures as well as a key indicator of coal failure. The propensity of coal to produce rockfall is an innate characteristic of coal. The major coal-mining nations in the world have faced hundreds of rock fissures. Boulder occurrence was first noted in China in 1933. It had happened more than 4000 times in the 60 years leading up to 1996, causing more than 400 fatalities as well as significant financial damage. China has determined that it will continue to rely on an energy plan that includes coal as the primary fuel, electricity as the hub, oil, and gas, and the development of a new, all-encompassing energy strategy. Although coal mining is China’s primary industry, the nation’s energy security depends significantly on its continued, healthy expansion. China’s coal resources are being mined at a larger scale and to a deeper level each year with the goal to meet the country’s growing economic needs. Mine disasters such as leaks of gas, gas explosions, water leaks, coal seam self-ignition, ceiling collapses, and rock cracks will always pose a threat to the safety of coal mines as mining conditions become more complex. The welfare and efficiency of the mining industry are seriously threatened by such failure characteristics [6] [7] . Maximum coal and rock pressures cause the rapid, abrupt, and violent release of elastic energy. Rock masses, coal, and supporting structures are frequently destabilized and damaged by rock formations inadvertently, leading to injuries, road damage, and malfunctioning equipment. High soil stresses, far-off mining stress disturbances, faults, and “coal seam ceilings and soil support structures” are major determinants of rock fracture behavior, and complicated mechanisms regulate bed motion. One of the most common risks in deep mines is rock failure. Studies have revealed that the tendency of coal to rock impact [8] , the environment in which they occur, the structural characteristics of the coal characteristics of the rocks that surround them, engineering blasting, and mining faults are all directly related to the phenomenon of rock microtremors. Impact propensity is a mechanical feature that is intrinsic to impact fracture and is a need for rock rupture [9] . In the domains of engineering and rock mechanics, rock fracture is a hot topic. Different coal mines experience coal bursts in a variety of ways. As a result, there are various ideas about the development mechanism of rock bursts, each with a different set of formation circumstances and evaluation standards. Discover the power cause of coal cracks according to different rock fracture positions, understand the law of appearance, and discover the origins of coal cracks in the mining region or mine because the reasons, as well as features of rock fracture, differ in different mines. It is essential to implement specific anti-scour measures. The process of coal cracking is still being thoroughly researched. Through field observations and experimental research on coal fracture, relevant researchers have developed a number of theories on the mechanics behind rock fracture [10] [11] . From rigid testing equipment theory, which posits that unexpected instability failure happens when the testing machine’s stiffness is less than the specimen’s ultimate deformation stiffness, comes stiffness theory [12] . According to Zhang et al., rockfall is a coal instability event. They contend that under the effect of stress, coal’s local stress exceeds its peak strength and transforms it into a material that softens stress. They provide the unpredictability theory of rock fracture, which states that rock fracture happens once the rock is disturbed in a condition of instability [13] [14] [15] . Qi et al. conducted studies on coal impact and sliding, analyzing the friction and sliding characteristics of coal as well as the resilience of friction and sliding, and suggested that a rockfall is a type of friction and sliding destruction to the coal mass structure, manifesting as an immediately apparent sticking Slip instability procedure [16] . Li investigated the material properties and mechanical procedure the related to bituminous coal body mechanism from a state of equilibrium to the loss of equilibrium under immediate loading in accordance with the motion evolution properties of the structural and mechanical condition of the bituminous coal body structure through the mining process. They introduced the mineral’s fracture classification criterion and had a fair amount of success with it in practice. An extensive theoretical debate is prompted by the instability theory, which demonstrates that the rock break is produced by the instabilities and degradation of the coal mass composition in the mining area. The limited role of government in the prevention and control of rockfall is due to the difficulty in establishing a feasible standard for rock crack hazards. Yin et al. formulated a catastrophic theoretical model and examined the spatial instabilities of the coal body system governed by horizontal pressure and vertical force, as well as the process of coal mass state mutation brought on by changes in these forces [17] . Theoretical research on rock fractures was first fractally analyzed by academician Xie, who employed fractal theory to describe the fractal characteristics of rock fractures. This theory states that a powerful rock fracture or rock seismic is comparable to a fractal break in the rock and that as the fractal dimension decreases, the energy dissipation needed for the fractal break increases exponentially. Rock shatter theory work has advanced significantly according to the theory of breaking mechanics. Zhang et al. [18] [19] [20] [21] conducted a preliminary investigation of the near-surface crack growth as well as the structural integrity of the nearby wall rock in light of the real circumstance [7] [22] - [27] . In the study of rock-crushing problems, many researchers have focused on the crushing susceptibility of rock materials. The elastic strain energy index [28] , and the elastic strain’s potential energy, the elastic strain energy index WET is defined as the percentage of the elastic strain energy density of the coal compared to the dissipative strain energy density at a stress point of 80% - 90% of the coal specimen’s peak endurance. The equivalent unloading test also needs to be performed. (Note: For the sake of calculation simplicity, this article supposes elastic strain energy as the index instead of strain energy [28] . Even after decades of research, several areas still require improvement, and their management is still a key research area. Even after decades of research, several areas still require improvement, and their management is still a key research area [29] . Ma et al. [27] examined the coal-rock collision propensity’s weakness component. Dou et al. [30] indicated that the Impact propensity Index may be affected by the percentage [ratio] of coal plus rock specimens. Using theoretical research and experimental data, Yao et al. [31] employing excess energy and the greatest harm as the foundation for evaluation, categorized impact development indices for coal specimens. Wang et al. [32] in order to categorize the effect tendency of coal specimens from various coal mines, constructed a Bayes discriminant model. As a result, this article introduces the main 4 indices of coal impact tendency and a new method of calculation of the surface area ratio of coal specimen cracks on the surface after coal specimen failure is also investigated, as well as the link involving the crack ratio as well as the four impact propensity indications after coal sample failure. The results indicate that the cracking ratio of surface cracks in coal samples is also linearly connected to the four impact trend indicators. Mechanical laboratory tests were utilized to estimate mechanical parameters and analyze the coal seam impact propensity.
2. Evaluation of the Impact Tendency of Coal
A Review and Analysis of the Available Burst Evaluation Indices
Scholars have developed a variety of indices or methodologies from various perspectives to accurately measure the bursting propensity of coal. The most often used burst evaluation indices are shown in Table 1. Based on the stress-strain curve, these burst assessment indexes investigated the procedure and estimation of the coal burst from several angles. The aforementioned indices, however, use coal as an investigation object. Although they are valuable for estimating bursting liability in underground coal mining, the effect of the roof must be overlooked. Even if we find that the exploding susceptibility of coal and roof is weak and powerful, respectively, determining the whole bursting hazard of coal and
Table 1. A list of burst rating indices.
rock is challenging. In simpler terms, the probability of a coal burst is determined not only by the breaking liability of the coal seam but also by the structural qualities of the roof.
3. Assessment Methods and Results
In order to evaluate the coal impact propensity of coal specimens using the parameters mentioned above, various laboratory experiments must first be conducted. The test was conducted on fifteen samples of coal in order to acquire the assessment results of the requirements and evaluate the accuracy of the judgments made. The test’s details are listed below.
3.1. Specimen Preparation
For the purpose to carry out the test, fifteen specimens of coal from the top coal seam were chosen (Category 15s) see Figure 1; the coal specimens were processed into rectangular shapes with three specifications). Dimensions: the coal must be at least 250 mm in length, width, and height. Before the test, all of the pieces were secured with plastic bands to maintain the coal’s previous shape. Because there is no discernible geological structure in the initial mining zone, the coal samples that were gathered this time can more accurately represent the properties of the coal in the Qi yuan Mine.
3.2. Test Equipment and Procedure
Rectangular specimens were produced to systematically investigate coal’s impact tendency and mechanical behavior. Uniaxial compression tests were performed on rectangular samples to measure Young’s modulus. We used rectangular coal to test basic physical and mechanical parameters to simplify testing. The Wuhan Laboratory of Rocks and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, created this RMT-150B Rock Mechanics Servo Testing Machine, and an electronic balance with a maximum weight was used and weighed with an accuracy of 0.01 g, which was used for the test, see Figure 2 and Figure 3. The primary control computer, digital controller, manual controller, hydraulic controller, hydraulic motor, triaxial pressure source, hydraulic origin, and numerous functional test accessories make up the majority of the test equipment. Apparent density was measured by the volumetric method.
Figure 2. RMT-150 Rock Mechanics test system.
4. Results along with Evaluation
4.1. Stress-Strain Graphs and Failure Mechanisms
Figure 4 illustrates the stress-strain curves of the four (4) main coal impact tendency parameters of fifteen coal samples and Figure 5 gives the failure modes.
The schematic diagram of elastic strain energy index calculation is shown in Table 1.
As shown in Figure 4(a), the stress-strain curve is the elastic strain energy index WET of the coal samples.
Elastic strain energy index according to the formula (1)
(1)
In the formula:
WET—elastic energy index;
Ee—elastic strain energy, its value is the area under the unloading curve;
Ep—plastic strain energy, its value is the area enclosed by the loading curve and unloading curve.
Calculation of the average elastic energy index of each group of specimens
For a group of specimens, the average elastic energy index is calculated according to formula (2):
(2)
In the formula:
WETS—average value of elastic energy index;
WETi—elastic energy index of each specimen;
n—the number of specimens.
From Figure 4(b), the impact energy index KE, is calculated according to the formula (3)
(3)
Figure 5. Failure mode of the fifteen coal samples.
In the formula:
Uo—the accumulated deformation energy before the peak value;
Ua—loss deformation energy after peak value;
KE—impact energy index.
For a group of test pieces, the average impact energy index is calculated according to formula (4):
(4)
In the formula:
KES—average value of impact energy index;
KEi—impact energy index of each specimen;
n—the number of specimens.
For Figure 4(c), the dynamic failure time DT, Numerous research has demonstrated that the dynamic failure time is more useful as an indicator since it is sensitive to the impact tendency. The average dynamic failure time of the specimen (take an integer) according to the formula (5) Calculate:
(5)
In the formula:
DTs—average dynamic failure time, in milliseconds (ms);
DTi—the dynamic failure time of each specimen, in milliseconds (ms);
n—the number of specimens in each group.
The computer data acquisition and processing system should display the dynamic failure time curve of each coal sample according to the measured data, and determine the dynamic failure time (DT value) of each coal sample manually, and the system should use the formula (5).
For Figure 4(d) is the uniaxial compressive strength, the greatest stress that a coal sample is capable of withstanding when compressed in a single direction is referred to as the coal’s uniaxial compressive strength. Equation (6) is used to determine the coal rock’s uniaxial compressive strength:
(6)
In the formula:
Rc—compressive strength, MPa;
P—maximum breaking load, N;
A—The cross-sectional area.
4.2. Identification Results
The impact propensity of coal seams is classified into three categories: no effect (Class I), weak effect (Class II), and strong impact (Class III) in accordance with the coal industry regulations in the Chinese People’s Republic test method GB/T25217.2-2010.
The average dynamic failure duration of the 15s coal specimen is 597 ms, the elastic energy indicator is 1.95, the impact energy indicator is 1.34, the uniaxial compressive force is 8.43 MPa, and the modulus index is 0.1, according to the test results of the coal samples’ impact tendency index. In accordance with GB/T25217.2-2010, “Classification of Impact Propensity of Coal and Measurement Method of Index”, the impact propensity classification, indicators, and full assessment criteria, the complete assessment of 15s impact propensity is Class I, no impact tendency (Table 2).
5. Verification with a Crack Expansion Schematic Diagram
5.1. Failure Characteristics for Variable Sizes under Uniaxial Compression
When the specimen’s height is low during uniaxial compression, the end effect constricts the entire specimen, producing the end effect. The end impact is diminished as a result of the specimen’s increased size, which brings the center stress zone very near to the single-dimensional stress state. The friction or fissures between the rock particles steadily widen as the loading step progresses. Additionally, when the weight increases, the cracks along the left bottom to the center progressively deepen, pierce, and break. The large specimens are associated with shear failure, whereas the small examples are primarily horizontal cracks and local shear failure.
The uniaxial compression failure characteristics of specimens with various sizes are shown in Figure 5.
5.2. Relationship between Cracks and the Coal Burst Propensity
The surface area ratio of coal sample surface cracks after coal sample failure is statistically analyzed, and the relationship between the crack ratio and the four impact tendency indicators after coal sample failure is also analyzed. The results show that the crack ratio of coal sample surface cracks is also linearly correlated with the four impact tendency indicators. Figure 6 demonstrates how the elastic strain energy index WET the impact energy index KE, the dynamic failure time DT, and the uniaxial compression strength RC relate to the crackers in the fifteen coal samples. The data gathered for the coal specimens were divided into different categories based on actual coal bursting vulnerability. Additionally, there were discernible variations in cracker percentages that corresponded to different coal bursting propensities (Figure 7).
Table 2. Test results of the fifteen coal specimens.
Figure 6. Schematic diagram of crack expansion after failure.
6. Conclusions
As a result, this article introduces the main indices of coal impact tendency and a new method of calculation of the surface area ratio of coal specimen cracks on the surface after coal specimen failure, as well as the link involving the crack ratio of the four impact propensity indications after coal sample failure. The mains conclusions are as follows:
1) The mechanical applicability and calculation methods of the four primary characteristics of coal sample impact tendency—dynamic failure time (DT), elastic strain energy index (WET), impact energy index (KE), and uniaxial compressive strength (RC) are examined.
2) The possibility of using the ratio of pre-peak and post-peak deformation modulus Kλ and the residual elastic strain energy index CEF as the impact tendency indexes of coal samples is discussed with reference to rockburst risk of rock samples. The test results show that two new impact tendency indexes are linearly correlated with four basic impact tendency indexes, so it is feasible to use two new impact tendency indexes to characterize the impact tendency of coal samples.
3) After coal sample failure, the surface area ratio of the cracks is statistically investigated, and the correlation between the crack ratio and the four impact tendency indicators is also examined. The findings indicate that the four impact tendency indicators have a linear relationship with the coal sample surface crack ratio as well.
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC, 32172310). We would like to thank Dr. Raud Eucaristia Mayoulou for his help in the visualization and reviewing of this paper.
Author Contributions
Diaka Cisse: Conceptualization, methodology, formal analysis, writing, original draft preparation, Wang Hao: Review and editing, funding acquisition.
Wen Ming Yang and Liu Zhang Hao helped with the laboratory experiments. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.