Evolution Characteristics of Composite Pressure-Arch in Thin Bedrock of Overlying Strata During Shallow Coal Mining

Abstract

Under the shallow coal mining condition and based on the cracking and movement rules of the roof in different mining stages, the mechanical models of symmetrical pressure-arch, stepped pressure-arch, rotating-squeezed pressure-arch in the mining field were established. Then, the instability criterion of each pressure-arch structure was derived. Through the similarity material experiment and numerical simulation, the evolution characteristics of the composite pressure-arches in the near- and far-field were revealed. Results show that the stepped pressure-arch in broken blocks of the basic roof was formed when the horizontal principal stress was greater than the in-situ stress. The broken blocks’ sliding could induce roof cutting off and strong weighting load. The structural characteristics of the overlying strata were determined by the thickness of the bedrock. The upper broken rocks formed a symmetrical pressure-arch in the near- and a far-field pressure-arch formed in the mining field. The median periodic broken rocks formed the rotating-squeezed pressure-arch, bearing the load of the loose layers and protecting the mining panel. After all bedrocks breaking, the latter arch foot of the far-field pressure-arch was transferred to the compacted caving zone. This study can provide a theoretical reference for the similar mining engineering.