Simulation research on the influence of eroded primary key strata on dynamic strata pressure of shallow coal seams in gully terrain

In Huojitu Coal Mine of Shendong mining area, the dynamic strata pressure (DSP) accidents occurred when the working faces passed the gully terrain. Focusing on this problem, we used physical simulation experimental method to thoroughly study the influence of eroded overlying primary key strata (PKS) in the gully terrain on DSP of shallow coal seams in this paper. The result show that when mining activities took place in the uphill section of shallow coal seams in gully terrain and the PKS were eroded, the blocks could not form stable bond-beam structures since the horizontal force of PKS blocks in adjacent sloping surfaces were relatively small. The sliding instability of blocks caused rapid increase of the load on the sub-key strata (SI(S) blocks, which resulted into coal slide and roof fall as well as sharp drop of active columns. This led to DSP phenomenon. When the PKS blocks were intact, there was no DSP phenomenon to enable blocks provide certain horizontal force to maintain stable bond-beam structure. The simulation results were verified by the mining practices of working face 21306 crossing the gully terrain in the Huojitu Coal Mine.(C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of China University of Mining & Technology.