Experimental Study on Similarity Simulation of Mechanical Properties of Coal Rock Mass in Folded Structural Zones

Abstract

To thoroughly investigate the mechanisms behind coal and gas outbursts in folded structural areas, we conducted similarity simulation experiments using a custom-built apparatus designed to replicate these structures. The objective was to analyze the stress distribution characteristics of coal rock masses under horizontal structural stress within folded zones. The experimental outcomes reveal that, under horizontal loading, shear cracks progressively develop along layer directions within the anticline wing, anticline axis, and syncline axis, evolving continuously along the interlayer direction. In these folded structures, horizontal stress consistently remains compressive, with the highest compressive stress concentrations observed at the anticline axis, followed by the wings and turning points of the anticline, and the lowest in the syncline axis area. The stress coefficient (k) in the anticline axis reached values as high as 3.18, while the syncline axis exhibited much lower stress concentrations, with k values of 0.66. Vertically, the anticline axis and its wings primarily experience tensile stress, whereas the syncline and its wings mainly undergo vertical compressive stress. The anticline axis region, subjected to horizontal structural stress, tends to develop tension cracks, which adversely affect gas retention. The combination of horizontal tension and vertical tensile stress in this region reduces the risk of coal and gas outbursts. Conversely, the syncline axis area, experiencing triaxial compressive stress, exhibits a higher degree of stress concentration and superior gas sealing capacity, rendering it more vulnerable to coal and gas outbursts. These findings provide essential insights for refining coal mining methodologies in fold structures, particularly for addressing the safety challenges posed by coal and gas outbursts.