Energies, Vol. 12, Pages 628: Stability of Split-Level Gob-Side Entry in Ultra-Thick Coal Seams: A Case Study at Xiegou Mine (Energies)

Split-level longwall gob-side item (SLGE) has been applied as a special form of small gate pillar mining (or non-coal pillar mining) in thick coal seams. The stability of the coal pillar directly affects the rationality of the layout of the SLGE. Starting from the mining-induced influence around the SLGE, this paper compares the mechanical properties of coal under different mining effects, and studies the rationality of “zero pillar” location against the Xiegou coal mine. The study shows that the key to success of the application of the SLGE is the existence of an intact zone within the triangular coal pillar in spite of double disturbances due to tunneling and coal mining extraction. Laboratory testing shows that the density and uniaxial compressive strength of rock specimens obtained from the triangular coal pillar are smaller than that from the other part of the panel which is concluded to be due to the varied degree of mining-induced influence. The numerical modeling results show that most of the triangular coal pillar is intact after extraction of the panel, and that the peak stress is located in the solid coal beyond the triangular coal pillar. The plastic zone of the triangular coal pillar is only about 1 m after the excavation of the tail gate of the next split-level panel. The physical modeling shows that the tail gate of the next panel is in the destressed zone with only a very small stress fluctuation during the extraction of the next panel. The study shows that the location of the SLGE at Xiegou coal mine is reasonable. SLGE is preferable for ultra-thick coal seams.