APPLICATION OF THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD TO JUSTIFY DIRECTIONAL HYDRAULIC FRACTURING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADJACENT SEAMS

Abstract

The problem of determining the stress-strain state of two closely spaced sloping coal seams was solved numerically by the finite element method. The influence of the upper coal seam being mined on the strength state of the pillar, which is formed during the preparation of the lower coal seam for excavation, was studied. It has been established that the use of directed hydraulic fracturing of the roof of the upper coal seam allows unloading the pillar on the lower coal seam by 25 % and maintaining its strength state.