Space-time evolution characteristics of loaded gas-bearing coal fractures based on industrial μCT

Abstract

Abstract The space-time evolution characteristics of fractures in coal seams under external loads are of great significance for the exploration and development of coalbed methane and the safe mining of coal. In this study, the in situ industrial μCT scanning experiments of gas-bearing coal under triaxial compression conditions was carried out using a loaded coal rock industrial μCT scanning system. The computed tomography (CT) scan images of different deformation stages were obtained. The temporal characteristics and spatial evolution patterns of fractures during gas-bearing coal rupture were investigated by combining image retrieval techniques and fractal theory. The results show that (1) as the axial load increases, the maximum similarity of the CT images showed a gradually decreasing trend. (2) Under the triaxial compression conditions, the number of two-dimensional cracks in a coal-containing gas at different spatial positions exhibited a changing pattern in which it slowly decreased before rapidly increasing. (3) The patterns of change in the three-dimensional fracture rate, fracture density, and fractal dimension were quite similar, showing four stages of slow decline, slow growth, sharp growth, and slow growth again. In contrast, the Euler number exhibited the exact opposite pattern of change. (4) The coal sample space showed prominent zonal failure characteristics. The bottom of the coal sample space position (Area C) near the loading indenter had the most developed cracks and serious damage, the middle of the coal sample space position (Area B) was the second, and the upper of the coal sample space position (Area A) near the fixed indenter had slow fracture development and minimal damage.