Deformation Failure Characteristics and Maintenance Control Technologies of High-Stress Crossing-Seam Roadways: A Case Study

Abstract

The surrounding rock structure of the crossing-seam roadway is poor and is susceptible to anchorage failure phenomena, such as top plate sinking and convergence deformation under high ground stress. These issues can cause significant deformation of the surrounding rock over time, resulting in challenging engineering problems. To address this issue, we studied the failure modes and destabilization mechanisms of the surrounding rock in different crossing-seam roadways by field tests and numerical simulations. The results show that since the rock strata in these roadways are extremely unstable and highly susceptible to high horizontal stress, the weak surrounding rock presents the mode of full-section plastic failure. The roof is damaged more seriously than the floor and both walls. In this case, the basic anchorage layer in the original scheme is not thick and rigid enough to support these roadways. Thus, the surrounding rock deforms severely and persistently, which is one of the engineering failure characteristics. To solve this problem, a new scheme of “prompt thick-layer end anchorage + full-length lag grouting anchorage + secondary continuous reinforcement” was proposed based on the continuous roof control theory. According to the industrial test, this scheme can successfully control the long-term large deformation of the weak surrounding rock in crossing-seam roadways. Notably, the deformation of the top plate decreased by 56.65% and the deformation of the two walls decreased by 66.35%. Its design concept will provide important references for controlling the surrounding rock in similar soft rock roadways.