Gob-Side Entry Retained with Soft Roof, Floor, and Seam in Thin Coal Seams: A Case Study

• Main Authors: Zhijun Tian, Zizheng Zhang, Min Deng, Shuai Yan, Jianbiao Bai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-02-01
• Series: Sustainability
• Subjects: gob-side entry retained; soft roof; floor and seam; thin coal seam; discrete element method
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/3/1197

Gob-side entry retained technology is of great significance to develop coal mining industry sustainably, which can improve the coal recovery rate by mining without the coal pillar. However, scholars and researchers pay little attention to the gob-side entry retained with soft roof, floor, and seam in thin coal seams. In this study, the difficulties and key points of surrounding rock control for gob-side entry retained with soft roof, floor, and seam in thin coal seams were firstly proposed. Secondly, the mechanical model of the interaction between the roadside backfill body and the roof for gob-side entry retained with soft roof, floor, and seam in thin coal seams was established, and the relevant parameters were designed. Finally, the above results were verified by the engineering practice of gob-side entry retained technology and the monitoring of mine pressure on the 1103 working face of the Heilong Coal Mine. Moreover, the effect factors of surrounding rock stability for gob-side entry retained with soft roof, floor, and seam in thin coal seams were discussed using the discrete element method. The results could provide guidance for gob-side entry retained with soft roof, floor, and seam in thin coal seams under similar geological conditions.