Numerical study of the influence of natural factors variability within the extraction column on the geomechanical parameters of an underground mining face

This article proposes taking into account the combined effects of roof and coal seam rock in the form of a weighted average stability index to predict the risks of hazardous industrial situations during underground coal seam mining, such as roof rock collapses, coal squeezing, and mechanized support failure. It is found that the value of this index within a working section can vary significantly depending on the structure and properties of the rock. Limit values for the stability index of the coal seam and roof rock are substantiated. Based on the results of computational experiments using a software package developed using the finite element method, the following geomechanical rock mass parameters in the vicinity of a longwall mechanized longwall face were determined to be dependent on the stability index: convergence of the roof and floor rocks of the mined seam, compliance of mechanized support sections, coal squeeze at the seam edge, roof rock fall volume at the production face, and the height of the immediate roof rock collapse zone. The obtained parameters are recommended for the development and implementation of technological solutions for the prevention of hazardous production situations during underground mining of coal seams with variable roof rock structure and properties.

Pavlova L. D., Fryanov V. N., Efremenko S. V. Numerical study of the influence of natural factors variability within the extraction column on the geomechanical parameters of an underground mining face. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2026;(10-1):51-62. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2026_101_0_51.

The study was supported by the grant of the Russian Science Foundation No. 25-21-20080, https://rscf.ru/project/25-21-20080/ and the grant of the Kemerovo Region – Kuzbass.

V.N. Fryanov¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Professor, e-mail: zzz338@rdtc.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-6803-458X, 
L.D. Pavlova¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Head of Chair, e-mail: ld_pavlova@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-2480-8165, 
S.V. Efremenko¹, Assistant of Chair, e-mail: sofyaefremenko2002@mail.ru, 
¹ Siberian State Industrial University (SibSIU), 654007, Novokuznetsk, Russia.

L.D. Pavlova, e-mail: ld_pavlova@mail.ru.

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