An FDM-Based Dynamic Zoning Method for Disturbed Rock Masses above a Longwall Mining Panel

Underground longwall mining can seriously disturb the surrounding rock masses above panel. A surface cracking zone, continuous deformation fractured and caved zone be formed in overlying strata (termed “four zones”), which may further result spontaneous combustion of coal seams water inrush. It is essential to study predict development characteristics four zones induced by guarantee safety. These are developed during process, mechanical properties different regions correspondingly differ. Thus, dynamic zoning disturbed should considered any simulations. In this paper, an FDM-based method for a panel proposed. This mainly composed stages: (1) establishing simplified complete stress-strain curve; (2) determining criteria; (3) adaptively adjusting parameters mass; (4) numerically modeling based on FDM. The proposed was applied site Taixi mine. process clearly observed procedure. numerical results achieved work, including periodical coal-seam roof caving zones, consistent with distribution other studies. heights basically empirical formula. analyze regions.