Stability Influencing Factors and Control Methods of Residual Coal Pillars with Solid Waste Materials Backfilling Method

Abstract

Affected by coal mining activities, the remaining coal pillars are very likely to be destabilized and cause safety accidents. The backfilling of the remaining goaf can maintain the stability of the coal pillar well, but the coal pillar in the unfilled zone may still be unstable. In this paper, the effect of backfilling materials on coal pillars and the reinforcement method are discussed using numerical simulation, statistical mathematics, elastic mechanics, and mechanical test methods. The results show that: backfilling with solid waste materials and reinforcing the coal pillar could maintain the stability of the bottom goaf, where the backfill body height is the main factor in the strength of the coal pillar. The propagation of the confining stress of the backfill body on the pillar in the unfilled zone is the primary way to influence the coal pillar strength. Changing the backfill body height filling can affect the coal pillar strength. By analyzing the propagation law of confining stress in the coal pillar, the minimum backfill body height is determined to be 7 m. Combined with mechanical tests and the Mohr–Coulomb criterion, the minimum confining pressure required to maintain the coal pillar stability under the peak ground pressure is analyzed. The ratio of solid waste materials is determined based on this. Field tests have proved that the coal pillar remains stable when the goaf is not filled, and the cement/fly ash ratio is 1:4, which can ensure product safety. The research has significant value and significance for the governance of the remaining coal pillars and production safety.