Research on the Fissure Development and Seepage Evolution Patterns of Overburden Rock in Weakly Cemented Strata Under Repeated Mining

Yang Xia, Wenyuan Zhen (), Haishan Huang, Yu Zhang, Qinghe Tang and Honglin Liu ()
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Yang Xia: College of Geology and Mining Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
Wenyuan Zhen: College of Geology and Mining Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
Haishan Huang: Green and Intelligent Mining Engineering Technology Research Center for Xinjiang Weakly Cemented Strata Coal Resources, Tacheng 834700, China
Yu Zhang: Yankuang Xinjiang Energy and Chemical Co., Ltd., Urumqi 830017, China
Qinghe Tang: Green and Intelligent Mining Engineering Technology Research Center for Xinjiang Weakly Cemented Strata Coal Resources, Tacheng 834700, China
Honglin Liu: College of Geology and Mining Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 6, 1-18

Abstract: This paper investigates the repeated disturbance of weakly cemented overburden rock caused by closely spaced coal seam mining, focusing on the effect of water infiltration on the strength degradation of weakly cemented mudstone. The study compares the fissure and fissure distribution characteristics of the overburden rock under seepage conditions. It also examines the dynamic evolution of seepage parameters during repeated mining and their impact on the overburden rock’s bearing capacity and structural stability. The findings are as follows: (1) After water infiltration, the clay mineral content in weakly cemented mudstone decreases, leading to a significant reduction in strength, increased microcrack development, and a moisture content increase from 0% to 3.27%. Uniaxial compressive strength decreases by 59.83%. (2) In the absence of seepage effects, the fissure development zone in the overburden rock changes from a positive trapezoidal shape to an inverted trapezoidal one, with a water-conducting channel forming first on the setup entry side. When seepage is considered, the fissure development in the weakly cemented overburden rock significantly increases, and the location of large-scale fissure initiation and expansion is advanced by 80 m. (3) During coal seam mining, excavation of the upper seam reduces the pore water pressure in the roof, causing the region of reduced pore pressure to shift from a trapezoidal to an “M” shape. As mining progresses to the lower seam, a seepage channel forms near the setup entry and expands. (4) Under repeated mining conditions, seepage field evolution in the overburden rock triggers the migration and transmission of formation water and pore pressure. The sustained influence of fissure water infiltration and seepage pressure accelerates the development of the water flowing fracture zone. As the overburden rock experiences renewed fracturing and caving, secondary fissure formation intensifies the movement of formation water. Consequently, the bearing capacity and water-resistance properties of the overburden rock are gradually degraded, significantly increasing the extent of structural damage within weakly cemented mining overburden rock.

Keywords: weakly cemented rock; strength reduction; fissure evolution; pore water pressure; seepage evolution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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