Development and application of a physical model for longwall coal face failure simulation

摘要

Previous researches on longwall face stability have been done using theoretical analysis and numerical modelling, but a physical model including different face stability influencing factors has not been documented. In this research, we developed a face failure physical model with a consideration of face stability influencing factors such as stress on coal face, shield support pressure, face height and coal strength. The physical model consists of box, loading machine, shield support, stress monitoring system, displacement monitoring system and cracker detector. This physical model was used to investigate face stability at different conditions of the above mentioned influencing factors. The results show that: 1) stress on coal face and coal strength are mostly contributing to face failure;;2) face stability can be enhanced by increasing shield support pressure, decreasing face height and improving coal strength. Reasonable face height and shield support pressures are also determined to maintain face stability provided that stress on coal face and coal strength are kept constant.