To study the correlation among advancing direction, strata behaviors, and rock burst induction, two physical models utilizing similar materials are established. Subsequently, the influence of advancing direction on the mining effect, caused by a fault, is studied. Moreover, the rock bursts affected by faults with different mining directions are compared and analyzed. The results show that the overlying structure varies notably, affected by fault cutting and fault dip, and the fault‐affected zone and the cause of induced rock burst differ with different mining directions. However, regardless of mining directions, the overlying structure of the hanging wall is stable and fault activation is not obvious, while that of the footwall is relatively active and fault activation is violent; the risk of rock burst on the footwall is larger than that of mining on the hanging wall. Finally, an engineering case regarding two rock bursts in panel 6303 is used to verify some physical simulation results to a certain extent. Study results can serve as a reference for face layout and prevention of rock bursts under similar conditions.

A large area of room mining goaf has been left throughout the history of coal mining worldwide. However, because the pillars cannot perpetually retain stability, the sudden collapse of a large area of goaf can occur. The existing large areas of room mining goaf have become a potential source of geological risks in mining areas with room mining goafs worldwide. To elucidate the distribution and state of the goafs, a survey of the characteristics of goafs was carried out by geophysical exploration and drilling methods. From this complete survey of room mining goafs, this paper has outlined eight common goaf risks, emphasizing the types of goaf risks that require precautions, and the formation mechanisms of each goaf risk has been analyzed. Considering that the occurrence of a risk may lead to several other risks and there is a certain interaction between the risks, more specific room mining goaf risk forms, causes and scopes of influence have been listed. It is advantageous to use a support vector machine, which is useful for small-sample problems, to assess the goafs. A support vector machine assessment model of room mining goafs was established, and sample training and verification were carried out. Comparing the risk assessment results with those of the field investigation, it can be seen that the evaluation model has a high accuracy. This work can greatly contribute to the prediction and prevention of risks induced by room mining goaf.

Improving the safety and stability of soft surrounding rock with nonlinear large deformation gives a strong guarantee for the safe mining and sustainable development of deep coal mines. In order to control the nonlinear large deformation of the surrounding rock in a deep soft rock roadway, this paper discusses the nonlinear large deformation mechanism and coupling support countermeasures of a typical engineering application at Xin’an coal mine in Gansu province, China. The series of experiments and theoretical analysis described in this paper reveal the phenomena, properties, and reasons for the nonlinear large deformation of soft surrounding rock in detail. Then, the type of nonlinear large deformation mechanism is determined and transformed from a composite one to a simple one. Based on experimental results and mechanism transformation, a suitable coupling support countermeasure, which contains the Constant Resistance Large Deformation (CRLD) bolt, steel mesh, floor hollow grouting cable, and steel fiber concrete, is proposed to reduce the nonlinear large deformation and the potential risk during mining. The application shows that the coupling support countermeasure can effectively reduce the nonlinear large deformation of the surrounding rock and help to maintain the stability of the deep soft rock roadway at Xin’an coal mine.