The dynamic mechanical properties and crack evolution characteristics of coal and rock during split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) impact failure are important contents for analysis. In previous studies, the coal and rock specimens used have usually been independent and not closely correlated. In addition, quantitative characterization and analysis methods for coal and rock cracks are immature, and more information has not been fully revealed. The aims of this paper are to comprehensively explore both the dynamic mechanical properties and crack evolution characteristics of coal and rock during impact failure. First, experimental specimens are prepared from coal seam, direct roof rock strata and direct floor rock strata in the same area to highlight the correlations between test pieces. Second, a dynamic strain gauge and high-speed (HS) camera are adopted to reflect the stress wave signal and crack evolution. Then, based on digital image correlation (DIC) technology and the mass screening method, the evolution laws of surface cracks during crushing and the distribution characteristics of sample fragments after crushing are studied from the perspective of fractal, and finally compared with those of the simulation analysis. The results are as follows. (1) The coal and rock samples from the same area have both consistency and differences. The dynamic mechanical properties of coal and rock are affected by the impact velocity and the physical properties of the specimen. Higher impact speeds and densities lead to the more obvious brittleness of the specimen when destroyed. Conversely, the sample shows more plasticity and ductile yield. (2) The self-similarity is significantly manifested in the evolution of surface cracks during impact and the distribution characteristics of fragments after impact. The box dimension and quality screening dimension are applicable to quantitatively characterize the evolution process and results of coal and rock fractures. (3) The simulation results based on the Holmquist–Johnson–Cook (HJC) and Riedel–Hiermaier–Thoma (RHT) constitutive models agree well with the experimental results, and the RHT constitutive model is more consistent. This study may contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamic characteristics and crack evolution laws of coal and rock under impact loading and provide references for further research and discussion.

The mechanical properties of water-rich coal and rock in a subzero environment are very different from those at room temperature, which causes many unexpected hazards for projects. In this study, coal and rock samples subjected to the coupled effects of water, temperature, and dynamic loads were taken as the research object, and the discussion was shaped around their mechanical properties. The crack evolution trend and different gradient impact velocities were determined using a split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). Multiple fractals were based on high-speed digital image correlation (HS-DIC) technology and the quality-screening method; the evolution trend of the surface cracks in the crushing process and the distribution characteristics of the specimen fragments after crushing were examined from the perspective of fractals. This provided a powerful supplement to the existing research system on the problem of mining via the freezing method, and it accounted for the shortcomings of the existing research to a certain extent. In this research, the results mainly showed four points: (1) The coal samples were determined to have a wave velocity between 1.68 and 2.01 km/s, while the rock samples were between 2.24 and 2.61 km/s. Under the same conditions, the rock’s resistance to deformation and damage was greater than that of coal. (2) In the saturated state, the plastic strength of the coal and rock samples was greater than that in the dry state, due to the strengthening of their internal stresses caused by the presence of fissure water. (3) With decreasing temperature, the degree of the dynamic compression factor of coal and rock showed a trend of initially increasing, then decreasing, and then increasing. With the increase in the loading rate, the destruction of the coal and rock was more intense, and the destruction process was accelerated. (4) After the saturated coal and rock samples were frozen, their interiors were affected by the dual factors of contraction under the influence of temperature and expansion under the influence of the freezing expansion force. The internal fissures closed or shrank, and the water in the pores turned into ice, leading to an increase in pore volume.

Coal mining causes overlying rocks to collapse and be destroyed. Overburdened crevasses provide a channel for gas discharge, which is a serious safety hazard. To study the evolution characteristics and migration pattern of overburdened fissures during the initial mining period, the 24207 working face of the Shaquan mine was used as a research object. Through similar physical simulation tests, a mechanical model of the mining structure during the initial mining period was constructed to explore the factors influencing the movement pattern of the overburden strata during the initial mining period. The research results show that the evolution of mining-induced fractures in the overburdened strata in the initial mining period mainly experience the slow and rapid rising stages of the fracture dimension, while the stable mining period is in the stable development stage of the fracture dimension. The research results will help supplement and improve the theory of gas disaster prevention and comprehensive resource utilization in the initial mining stage under the mining conditions of high gas and low permeability coal seam group, achieve the goal of “coal and gas co-mining”, and ensure the safe and efficient production of mines.

In deep mining, “critical static stress + slight disturbance” is an important inducing form of coal mine rockburst disasters. In previous studies, the critical static stress has been shown to be consistent with the loading direction of a slight disturbance but cannot reflect all types of rockbursts. In addition, the research that uses microseismic (MS) signals to reflect the overall process and critical stages of coal failure and instability under weak-energy and low-frequency disturbance conditions is immature, and more information, such as the critical state, has not been fully revealed. The aims of this paper are to further elucidate the important role of weak-energy and low-frequency disturbances in the occurrence of rockburst disasters. First, briquette samples were prepared from the Tashan Coal Mine, which is severely affected by rockbursts, and their homogeneity was verified using ultrasonic longitudinal wave velocity. Second, the natural frequency of the coal sample specimens was measured using a testing system. Then, based on the self-developed static pressure loading system, dynamic and static combined loading test system and MS signal monitoring device, the MS signal characteristics during the process of coal body failure and instability were comprehensively analysed. Finally, a comparison was made between weak-energy and low-frequency disturbances and impact disturbances. The results are summarized as follows. (1) The longitudinal wave velocity test results reflect that the briquette samples prepared in the experiment have high homogeneity. The smaller the particle size is, the higher the density and moulding pressure, and the denser the sample. (2) The natural frequency of the briquette samples is between 30.79 Hz and 43.34 Hz, and most of them fluctuate at approximately 35 Hz. (3) During the static loading stage, the occurrence of more than three MS signals of larger magnitude in a continuous cluster is an important criterion for the critical failure of the samples. (4) The weak-energy and low-frequency disturbance actually leads to fatigue damage, and the briquette sample experiences three stages: the near-threshold stage, the high-speed expansion stage and the final fracture stage. The smaller the particle size of the coal sample, the denser the specimen, the stronger the amplitude and energy of the single effective MS signal formed during the destruction process, the longer the time duration of crack expansion from the near-threshold stage to the high-speed expansion stage, and the stronger the ability of the coal sample to resist weak-energy and low-frequency disturbances. This study may contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the destabilization mechanism of coal bodies and MS signal characteristics under weak-energy and low-frequency disturbances and provide a reference for further research and discussion.

Gas drainage is an important technology to prevent coal and gas outburst, and the drained gas is a kind of clean energy. The gas pressure can characterize gas drainage effectiveness. In this paper, we investigated the effectiveness of gas drainage by gas pressure. Determined by the space shape of the gas flow field, the gas flow state surrounding the drainage boreholes is radial flow. According to the basic equations of radial flow, discrete equations were achieved by the implicit difference scheme, and then we obtained the gas pressure surrounding the drainage boreholes. Results showed that the midpoint between two holes presents the highest gas pressure, and gas pressure declined from the midpoint of two boreholes to both sides. The midpoint gas pressure of the two holes reflects gas drainage effectiveness in a certain degree. Gas pressure declined with segmented characteristics in the first period decline curve in the form of a cubic curve, and the second period decline curve in the form of a straight line. When the drainage pressure reaches a certain value, the decline rate of gas pressure had little relationship with the drainage negative pressure, mainly influenced by the permeability coefficient. To improve the drainage effectiveness, anti-reflection measures are feasible, instead of increasing the drainage negative pressure. Moreover, the conclusion was verified by field data.