With the gradual increase in the mining depth of coal resources, the destruction of the rock structure of the inter-layered rock of the near coal seam under the influence of mining has led to the frequent occurrence of water-inrush disasters in mines, which seriously affects the safety of mine production and the safety of the people in the underground. Therefore, it is important to study the mechanism of the water inrush of the rock between the coal seams under the influence of mining to control the occurrence of water inrush disasters and protect the loss of groundwater resources. This paper takes the Hanjiawan coal mine with typical stratigraphic characteristics as the background for research and studies the structural characteristics of interlayer rock breakage and the solid–liquid coupling inrush water disaster mechanism during the mining of 2⁻² and 3⁻¹ coals. The study shows that according to the damage degree and destruction depth of the inter-layered rock caused by the mining of the upper and lower coal seams, combined with the slip line theory and the “three bands” collapse theory, the inter-layered rock is classified into a completely fractured inter-layer, a fractured–broken stacked inter-layer, and a fractured–broken–fractured combined inter-layered rock using $L\le h_m+H_{k2}{}^{\prime }$, $L>h_m+H_{k2}{}^{\prime }$, and $L\ge h_m+H_{li2}{}^{\prime }$ as the discriminating criteria. Combined with the structural classification of inter-layer rock and the discriminating criteria, we used similar simulation experiments and on-site research to analyze the evolution law and distribution characteristics of four types of inter-layer rock water-inrush fractures in different mines and put forward the classification of inter-layer rock water-inrush channels based on the width, length, and penetration of the fractures. Based on the characteristics of the water-inrush channel of inter-layer rock, we constructed the network-boundary inrush water calculation model of inter-layered rock and network-attach-boundary inrush water calculation model, solved the water movement of the water-inrush channel in the model by transforming the flat flow state, fracture to flow state, and pore-fracture flow state, and finally revealed the mechanism of the disaster by which water-inrush of inter-layer rocked was induced. Finally, we revealed its mechanism of inducing the inter-layer rock inrush water disaster. Our research enriches the theory and research ideas of the water-inrush disaster, provides theoretical support and a basis for the control of water-inrush disasters in similar conditions, and ensures the safe production of mines.

In order to study the pressure changes and support failure in mining face under concentrated coal pillar in shallow coal seam, the concentrated coal pillar in 30105 working face of Nan Liang Coal Mine was selected as the research object. In this study, the mechanism of dynamic mine pressure in mining face under concentrated coal pillar was investigated through multiple simulation experiments, numerical simulations, and theoretical analysis. The results of similar simulation experiment indicate that the dynamic mine pressure occurred at 25 m under the concentrated coal pillar and 7 m beyond the coal pillar. The strata roof was observed with sliding down, resulting in collapse and severe fractures commonly seen in rock column. The overlying strata caused the overall subsidence and collapse synchronously, resulting in the sudden increase of the resistance of the support in the working face, and the dynamic load coefficients reach 3.4 and 3.5. The theoretical analysis indicates that the two hard strata in the overlying strata of 3⁻¹ coal meet the theoretical criterion of the combined key strata with the concentrated coal pillar of 2⁻² coal in the weak interlayer of the combined key strata. The combined key strata bear the load of the whole overlying strata. The sliding instability featured with the rock column‐type fracture located in the combined key strata is considered as the primary trigger of the abnormal resistance of the support and the dynamic mine pressure in the mining face under the concentrated coal pillar. The dynamic pressure model of “combination key strata—immediate roof‐support” was established, along with the dynamic load coefficient calculation related to the rock column‐type fracture and instability. The characteristics of dynamic load coefficient of the rock column‐type fracture and instability under different overlying rock structure conditions were analyzed, providing references and insights into mining under similar geographic conditions.

Given the potential for dynamic load-induced support crushing that may occur during mining under an interval goaf through an isolated coal pillar (ICP) in shallow closely spaced coal seams, this paper systematically explored this issue through a case study of the 30,103 working face at the Nanliang Coal Mine. We employed a combined approach of similarity simulations, theoretical analyses, numerical simulations, and field measurements to investigate the catastrophic failure mechanisms and prevention strategies for dynamic pressure-related hazards encountered when mining a lower coal seam that passes through an ICP. The findings indicated that the synchronous cutting instability of the interlayer effective bearing stratum (IEBS) and double-arch bridge structure of the ICP roof were the primary causes of dynamic load-induced support crushing at the working face. A mechanical model was developed to characterize the IEBS instability during mining under an interval goaf. The sources and transmission pathways of dynamic mining pressure during mining passing through the ICP were clarified. The linked instability of the double-arch bridge structure of the ICP roof was induced by IEBS failure. The UDEC numerical model was utilized to elucidate the instability of the IEBS during mining in the lower coal seam and to analyze the vertical stress distribution patterns in the floor rock strata of the interval goaf. A comprehensive prevention and control strategy for roof dynamic pressure, which includes pre-releasing concentrated stress in the ICP, strengthening the support strength of the working face, and accelerating the advancement speed was proposed. The effectiveness of this prevention and control strategy was validated through actually monitoring the characteristics of mining pressure data from the 30,103 working face following pressure relief. The findings provide valuable insights for rock stratum control of shallow and closely spaced coal seam mining under similar conditions.

This paper aims to address the issue of hydraulic support crushing accidents or support failures in the retracement roadway (RR) that frequently occurs when a fully mechanized mining face is retraced during the end-mining stage. The deformation and instability mechanism of surrounding rock in the RR during the end mining of a fully mechanized mining face at the Hanjiawan Coal Mine located in the northern Shaanxi mining area is explored through field measurement, theoretical analysis, similar simulation, and numerical simulation. The results reveal that the stability of the remaining coal pillar (RCP) and the fracture position of the main roof are the main factors contributing to large-scale dynamic load pressure in the RR during the end-mining stage. The plastic zone width limit of the RCP is identified to be 5.5 m. Furthermore, the stress distribution within the RCP during the end-mining stage is determined, and the linear relationship between the load borne by the RCP and the strength of the coal pillar is quantified. A similar simulation experiment is conducted to examine the collapse and instability characteristics of the overlying rock structure during the end-mining stage. UDEC (v.5.0) software is utilized to optimize the roof support parameters of the RR. A surrounding rock control technology that integrates the anchor net cable and hydraulic chock is proposed to ensure RR stability. Meanwhile, a method involving ceasing mining operations and waiting pressure is adopted to ensure a safe and smooth connection between the working face and the RR. This study provides a reference for the surrounding rock control of the RR during end mining in shallow, closely-spaced coal seams under similar conditions.

In order to study the instability characteristics of interlayer rock strata (IRS) in shallow buried close-distance coal seams under insufficient mining areas, based on the background of interval mining under goaf in Nanliang Coal Mine, this paper studies the instability characteristics of interlayer strata in interval mining under goaf by means of similar simulation, numerical simulation, and field measurement. The results indicated that the first weighting interval of the main roof during mining in the lower coal seam was 49 m, while small and large periodic weightings with intervals of 10–14 m and 15–19 m were identified. During periodic weighting, the support resistance ranged from 6813 to 10,935 kN, with a dynamic load factor of 1.07–1.74, and the peak abutment pressure in front of the working face was 5.85–9.85 MPa. The mining under the interval coal pillar (ICP) was the ‘stress increase zone’, and the mining under the temporary coal pillars (TCPs) and the interval goaf was the ‘stress release zone’. During the working face mining out of the ICP, the support resistance reached 10,934 kN, the dynamic load factor reached 1.74, and the abutment pressure (AP) reached 9.85 MPa, which was 60% higher than the AP mining under the “stress release zone”. Analysis suggests that the cutting instability of the IRS was the root cause of the increased AP in the working face of the lower coal seam. A numerical simulation was performed to verify the instability characteristics of the IRS in the interval goaf. The relationship between support strength and roof subsidence during the period of the working face leaving the coal pillar was established. A dynamic pressure prevention method involving pre-splitting and pressure relief of the ICP was proposed and yields superior field application performance. The findings of the study provide a reference for rock strata control during mining under the subcritical mining area in shallow and closely spaced coal seams.

The slope‐pillar structure is defined as an artificial construction shaped by a surface highwall mining and an underground longwall mining. In order to study the impact of stress variations (induced by the longwall‐mining operations) on the stability of a slope‐pillar structure, No. 30101‐1 working face of Nanliang Coal Mine was selected as the study subject. A series of analysis including physical similar simulation test and the theoretical analysis were conducted to study the movement pattern of the overlying strata in the working face of the slope and the loading and the stability of the pillar column revealing the mechanism of dynamic load instability of nonuniformly distributed load “slope pillar.” A “slope‐pillar” reverse sliding structural model was proposed along with a newly established “slope‐pillar” structural mechanical model and a formula to calculate the boundary width of the protection for the pillar under the extreme balance conditions. According to the study, the width of the protective pillar is designed at 20 m, and the roadway deformation during the working face and the stability of the pillar can satisfy the safety requirement concerning the working face, which further validates the theoretic deduction formula.