International Journal of Mining Science and Technology 27 (2017) 945–954

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International Journal of Mining Science and Technology

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ijmst

Influence of abnormal stress under a residual bearing coal pillar on the

stability of a mine entry
Kang Jizhong a, Shen Wenlong a,b,⇑, Bai Jianbiao a, Yan Shuai a, Wang Xiangyu a, Li Wenfeng c, Wang Ruofan a
a
School of Mines, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
b
School of Energy Science and Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454000, China
c
Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Mine entries close to residual bearing coal pillars (RBCPs) will suffer large deformation that may cause
Received 25 January 2017 rock burst. To better understand the deformation mechanism and develop safe and practical guidelines
Received in revised form 21 March 2017 for entry design, most studies focus on the absolute size of the stress field in and around the pillar. In this
Accepted 23 April 2017
paper, we present a new approach to analyze the abnormal stress field close to a RBCP that uses the stress
Available online 8 July 2017
concentration coefficient (SCC), stress gradient (SG), and coefficient of lateral pressure (CLP) to describe
the stress state induced by the RBCP. Based on elastic theory and a mathematical model for the abutment
Keywords:
stress in the RBCP, an analytical solution for the abnormal stress in the strata below the RBCP was derived
Residual bearing coal pillar
Abnormal stress
and the characteristics of the abnormal stress for a case study of a coal mine in China were analyzed. The
Entry layout results show that the abnormal stress field around the pillar is characterized by four distinct zones: a
Mechanical analysis zone of high SCC, high SG, and CLP less than 1, a zone of high SCC, low SG, and CLP less than 1, a zone
Numerical computation of low SCC, SG close to 0, and CLP greater than 1, and a zone of SCC close to 1, SC close to 0, and CLP close
to 1. Based on this zoning pattern, a numerical model was established to study the combined effects of
the abnormal stress on the stability of the entry. The most stable zone was determined based on a model
of the Xinrui coal mine and verified by field measurements at the mine. Our conclusions can be used as
guidelines for designing safe entry layouts in similar geological and mining settings.
Ó 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of China University of Mining & Technology. This is an open
access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

1. Introduction
The stress state of rock below and around a residual bearing
coal pillar (RBCP) strongly affects the stability of underground pas-
sages in mines [1–6]; this depends on the bearing characteristics
and stress-transmission behavior of the close RBCP [7–11].
Strength theories applied to mining settings point out that the
stress state play an important role in determining whether the rock
reaches the failure state because the level of triaxial compression
strength in the rock changes when the confining pressure varies
[12–15]. Generally, for underground passages or entries under uni-
form symmetrical load, homogeneous convergence of the rock lay-
ers surrounding the entry will occur and local instability will not
be induced [16]. However, entries around RBCPs will be affected
by inhomogeneous or abnormal stresses that can be characterized
by parameters such as the stress concentration coefficient (SCC),
stress gradient (SG), and coefficient of lateral pressure (CLP).
⇑ Corresponding author at: School of Energy Science and Engineering, Henan
Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454000, China.
E-mail address: shenwenlong.888@163.com (W. Shen).
Many studies have produced effective designs for the entry
position around a RBCP, focusing on the absolute size of the stress
[17–21]. Numerical simulations have shown that the best position
for the lower entry should be in the stable stress zone rather than
the areas of concentrated vertical stress induced by the upper
mined coal seam [22–24]. Based on the stability factor model for
a coal pillar under a mined coal seam, the translational layout
yielded better results than the inward and outward layouts
[25,26]. By analyzing the stress field and deformation surrounding
the entry, the difference between the vertical stress and horizontal
stress in the strata below the RBCP was found and shown to be an
important factor for the stability of the lower entry [27]. All the
studies mentioned above indicate that the area of stress induced
from the RBCP can be divided into three zones: the concentrated
stress zone, the relaxed stress zone, and the zone of original stress
along both the horizontal and vertical directions, and that the
lower entry should not be located in the concentrated stress zone.
Inhomogeneous stress is also a subject of interest in mining
engineering because it can induce local deformation and failure
around the entry leading to local unconsolidated rock failure and
weakening of the rock structure which affects the stability of the

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2017.06.012
2095-2686/Ó 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of China University of Mining & Technology.
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
946 J. Kang et al. / International Journal of Mining Science and Technology 27 (2017) 945–954

adjacent rock structures [28–34]. Previous analyses of the influ-

ence of inhomogeneous stress on the rock and structural stability
in underground mines mainly concentrated on the maximum
bending moment obtained by a simplified roof beam model under
plane strain conditions. The results verified the existence of local
unconsolidated and rock-failure structures. It should be noted that
most of the studies concentrated on one factor (such as the SCC or
SG) to analyze the stability of the entry below and around RBCPs,
ignoring the combined effects of these factors; such approaches
cannot fully explain the real stress state.
In this paper, we present an improved model of the stress field
surrounding the entry near RBCPs based on a case study; the
results can help design a safer entry layout. First, based on analysis
of the bearing capacity of the RBCP, a mathematical model for the
abutment stress in the RBCP is proposed. Then, based on the elastic
theory, the abnormal stress induced by the RBCP is estimated and
the characteristics of the abnormal stress for the case of a coal
Fig. 2. Comprehensive drilling histogram for close multiple coal seams.
mine in China are obtained. Based on the obtained abnormal stress
values, a simulation model is established to analyze the overall
effects of the abnormal stress on the stability of the entry. Finally, of some entry sections. Based on this case, we carried out a study
a new method to determine the most stable location for the entry on the effect of the abnormal stress induced by the RBCP on the
under close RBCP is proposed. stability of the entry. We explored the primary cause of the rock
deformation and rock failure around the entry near the RBCP and
derived a model of the stress field that can help in designing a
2. Engineering conditions and geological background
practical and safe entry layout in similar geological and mining
settings.
Mining at the Xinrui coal mine in Shanxi province is conducted
mainly in coal seams 4 and 5 with an average interlayer spacing of
3.25 m. Coal seam 4 was mined out in 2013, leaving many RBCPs 3. Conceptual model and analysis of the abnormal stress
and gobs. The mining entry of coal seam 5 passes next to the RBCP
of coal seam 4 (Fig. 1). The average thickness of coal seam 4 is The RBCP causes stress redistribution in the layer below the coal
1.7 m and that of coal seam 5 is 2.76 m; the seams are monoclinal seam, changing from a uniform stress field to that of non-uniform
with an average stratigraphic dip of 6°. The stratigraphy surround- deformed stress. Under the load-bearing coal pillar is a concen-
ing the coal seams is simple; the stratigraphic column is shown in trated high-stress zone while under the gob lie the medium-
Fig. 2. Analysis of the drill core samples indicates that the uniaxial stress and low-stress zones. Under the area where the gob and coal
compressive strength of coal seam 5 is 12.2 MPa which is compar- pillar meet is a low-stress area which is the boundary zone
atively hard. The immediate roof is mostly soft mudstone, easily between the higher-stress and lower-stress zones. The concept of
weathered medium-hard rock whose uniaxial compressive abnormal stress is introduced to describe the degree of non-
strength is 33.2 MPa. The immediate bottom is mainly mudstone uniformity of the stress under the RBCP caused by the excavation
with some sandy mudstone, with a uniaxial compressive strength of the rock. We use the parameters SCC, SG, and CLP to analyze
of 40.6 MPa, which is within the range of medium-hard rock. The the abnormal stress. The solution is divided into three stages: esti-
1501 working face is the primary face of coal seam 5 and its head mating the bearing stress in the RBCP, analysis of the stress under
entry, which has a rectangular cross-section of the RBCP, and estimating the abnormal stress under the RBCP.
4500 mm
3000 mm, was drilled along the roof of the coal seam,
horizontally through multiple RBCPs, a single RBCP, and double 3.1. Bearing capacity of the RBCP
RBCPs (Fig. 1). After the excavation of the head entry, large asym-
metric deformation and rock failure occurred along the axial direc- Previous studies have used analytical and numerical methods,
tion of the entry, which led to severe deformation and even closure the Tributary Area method, beam deflection, and photo-elastic

Fig. 1. Panel layout for close multiple coal seams.

 J. Kang et al. / International Journal of Mining Science and Technology 27 (2017) 945–954 947

analyses to determine coal pillar loads. The Tributary Area method

is widely used to obtain the average stress but has limitations such
as ignoring the abutment stress distributions and deformation or
pillar failure. The Confined Core Concept, proposed by Wilson
[35,36], points out that the coal pillar consists of confined-core
and partially destressed pillar ribs, which means that the pillar is
confined at the roof and floor by the in situ horizontal stress field.
Based on the failure criterion (shown as Eq. (1)), Wilson’s equation Fig. 3. Mathematical model of abutment stress in the RBCP for the A-A cross section
(as shown in Eq. (2)) for the width of the yield zone has been gen- in Fig. 1.
erally used to design the coal pillar. However, even the confining
pressure of the coal body has been considered, some limitations
in Wilson’s equation should not be ignored such as neglect of rock model. In the elastic bearing zone, the bearing stress declines grad-
mass cohesion, strength of the pillar edge and the mechanical ually from the peak stress and then increases moderately to reach
behavior of the interface between coal seam and rocks. the peak stress again. To simplify the computation, we assume that
Furthermore, the ultimate balance theory states that the coal in the elastic bearing zone, the bearing stress changes as a para-
body beside the gob can be divided into the ultimate balance zone bolic function whose mathematical model is shown as Fig. 3. The
and the elastic bearing zone, besides, the interface is weaker and mathematical model for the bearing stress in the RBCP can be
easier to reach into the state of ultimate strength compared with described as Eq. (5).
the coal and rocks [37]. So, an analytical method to estimate the
8
< ax þ b
> D 6 x < w  D
width of the ultimate balance zone as shown in Eq. (3) was
f ðxÞ ¼ cx2 þ d w  D 6 x < D  w ð5Þ
obtained using the Mohr–Coulomb criterion. However, the stress >
:
of the shallow coal body is not in a state of limited equilibrium ax þ b D  w 6 x 6 D
but in a plastic bearing balance state and the strength of the coal where f(x) is the analytical solution of the bearing stress in the
body is post peak strength [38]. Therefore, the width of the coal RBCP, MPa; D is the half of the width of the RBCP, m; a, b, c and d
mass’s plastic bearing zone beside the gob can be expressed as are the parameters of the mathematical model, which can be calcu-
Eq. (4). lated by the relevant boundary conditions as shown in Eq. (6).
1 þ sin u0 8
r1 ¼ r0 þ r3 ð1Þ > f ðxÞjx¼wD ¼ K cH
>
>
1  sin u0 >
< f ðxÞjx¼D ¼ R0c
lim f ðxÞ ¼ K cH ð6Þ
where r1 is the confined compressive strength, MPa; r0 is the >
>
>
> x!wD
unconfined compressive strength, MPa; r3 is the confining pressure, :R1
f ðxÞ  cHdx ¼ 12 cHL
MPa; u0 is the angle of internal friction, degree. 0

  where (1) the bearing stress is the peak strength KcH when the elas-
h K cH
r p ¼ qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi    ln ð2Þ tic–plastic boundary location is x ? w-D. (2) The bearing stress is
1þsin u0
tan 1þsin u0
1 r0
1sin u0 1sin u0 the residual strength of the coal mass Rc0 when the boundary is
located between the gob and the rib: x ? -D. (3) The auxiliary area
where rp is the width of the yield zone, m; h is the height of the coal theory pointed out that, during underground mining, the overall
pillar, m; K is the peak stress concentration factor; cH is the original stress relief is equal to the overall additional load in the surround-
vertical stress, MPa. ings of the face [39]. The model parameters can be obtained by solv-
   ing Eq. (7).
hA C0 C0 Px
x0 ¼ In K cH þ þ ð3Þ 8
2 tan u0 tan u0 tan u0 A > K cHR0c
>a ¼ w
>
>
where x0 is the width of the ultimate balance zone, m; C0 is the
>
< b ¼ R0c þ aD
cohesion of coal, MPa; A is lateral pressure coefficient; Px is the sup- 2 þ6awD ð7Þ
>
> c ¼ 3cHðLþ2DÞþ6ðwDÞK cH6bw3aw
port strength on the face of the coal wall, MPa. >
> 4ðwDÞ3
>
:
d ¼ K cH  cðw  DÞ2
Rc  R0c
w ¼ x0 þ x0 ð4Þ
R0c 2C 0
þ K cH þ tan u
where L is the width of the mining space without compaction, m.
0

where w is the width of plastic bearing zone, m; Rc is the uniaxial
compression strength of the coal, MPa; Rc0 is the strength in the
post-peak region of the coal, MPa.
Based on the analysis above, every method to estimate the
width of the plastic zone in the coal pillar has its limitations which
makes it necessary to select according to the specific engineering
geological conditions. In this paper, the plastic bearing theory
was applied to determine the width of the plastic zone in the coal
pillar since the interface between the coal and rocks is weaker in
Xinrui coal mine in China.
Here, based on the bearing capacity of the coal pillar, we built a
mathematical model of the load and stress distribution in the
RBCP. As the distance to the excavated space’s boundary increases,
according to the plastic bearing theory, the bearing stress inside
the plastic zone rises approximately linearly from the residual
strength level to reach the peak stress. Thus, the bearing stress
inside the plastic zone can be represented by a linear mathematical
3.2. Analysis of the abnormal stress below the RBCP
The distribution of the load-bearing stress in the floor depends
on the strength of the coal and rock mass and the inhomogeneity,
magnitude, and form of the load-bearing stress as well as the geo-
logical discontinuities in the study area and other factors. Because
of the complexity of the stress model, we make the following fun-
damental assumptions: (1) The coal and rock mass under the floor
of the RBCP is modeled as a homogeneous infinite plane, ignoring
the inhomogeneity of the coal and rock mass’s strength and any
geological discontinuities; (2) We assume that the load-bearing
stress in the floor obeys the elastic theory. We ignore plastic failure
and large deformation in the coal and rock mass caused by the
load-bearing stress. The model of the load-bearing stress under
the RBCP is shown in Fig. 4. Based on the analytical solution of
the stress distribution on the half-infinite plane formed by the con-
centration of stress in the unit width of the elastic theory [40], we
948 J. Kang et al. / International Journal of Mining Science and Technology 27 (2017) 945–954

parameters including overburden depth (H), mining height (h),

the support strength on the face of the coal wall (Px) and the
volume-weight (c) can be obtained. According to the tested results
in the laboratory by MTS-815 Universal Testing Machine, the cohe-
sion of coal (C0), the friction angle of coal (u0), the uniaxial com-
pression strength of the coal (Rc) and the strength in the post-
peak region of the coal (Rc0 ) can be determined. Furthermore, the
width of the mining space without compaction (L) and the peak
stress concentration factor (K) can be got with experience conclu-
sions [41]. In addition, the lateral pressure coefficient (A) can be
Fig. 4. Mechanical model for abutment stress under RBCP. referenced with the in-situ stress test results [42].
The three indexes of abnormal stress f, d, and k are plotted at
apply the integration principle to solve the load-bearing stress
various distances (x) from the coal pillars at heights (y) of 2–
under the RBCP.
50 m. A clear pattern between each parameter and the vertical
8
> X
n
R x1 interval and horizontal offset can be observed, illustrating the dif-
>
> r x ¼
2f k ðnÞ
 ðxnÞ2 y
dn
>
< x2 p ½ðxnÞ2 þy2 
2 ferent stress zones. With increasing height, notable peaks appear in
k¼1
Mðx; yÞ ¼ ð8Þ the SCC curves (Fig. 5a). The tallest peak, f = 3.2, appears at y = 2 m
>
> Xn
R x1
>
> 2f k ðnÞ y 3
within a horizontal range of 0–30 m. As y increases, the peaks
: ry ¼ x2 p  ½ðxnÞ2 þy2 2 dn
k¼1 become smaller and the curve stabilizes at y = 50 m. The SCC curve
minima (f < 1) appear under the gob beside the pillar boundaries.
From Eq. (8), three analysis evaluations indexes of the abnormal
The SG under the pillar has both positive and negative peaks, sta-
stress under the load-bearing pillar can be acquired, the SCC f, the
bilizing at 0 after decreasing (Fig. 5b). The largest peak is at
SG d, and the CLP k:
d = 3.3 MP/m within a horizontal range of 0–30 m. The vertical
( rx
Mðx; yÞ fx ðx; yÞ ¼ AcðHþyÞ SG is relatively small and decreases under the gob beside the
fðx; yÞ ¼ ¼ r ð9Þ boundary of pillars. The CLP (Fig. 5c) under the coal pillars is less
roriginal fy ðx; yÞ ¼ cðHþyÞ
y
than 1 for all the curves, with the curves for y > 10 m showing only
( slight variation and stabilizing for y = 50 m. The highest CLP peak
@Mðx; yÞ dx ðx; yÞ ¼ @@x
rx
(k = 5.5) appears at y = 2 m under the gob between the two pillars
dðx; yÞ ¼ ¼ ð10Þ
@x=@y dy ðx; yÞ ¼
@ ry close to an abandoned entry, and then drops to k = 0.6. Two addi-
@x
tional peaks appear under the gob beside the outer boundaries of
the pillars and gradually subside.
Mx ðx; yÞ rx
kðx; yÞ ¼ ¼ ð11Þ Generally, f, d, and k varied along both the horizontal and verti-
M y ðx; yÞ ry
cal intervals, forming a pattern that reveals the different distribu-
tion zones of the abnormal stress in the floor under and around
3.3. Case analysis of abnormal stress below the RBCP the coal pillars. Under the coal pillar is a zone of high SCC and high
SG, with CLP < 1 and a zone of high SCC, low SG zone with CLP < 1.
The parameters as shown in Table 1 for the theoretical model Under the gob beside the pillar boundaries we found low SCC val-
were determined on the bases of the methods mentioned later. ues, SG close to 0, and CLP values much higher than 1.
Thus, we can calculate the abnormal stress field below the two
RBCPs in the Xinrui coal mine (Fig. 5). The two pillars are 3.4. Numerical results of abnormal stress below the RBCP with FLAC3D
23 m
1.7 m (width
height) and 17 m
1.7 m (width
height)
respectively and there are 3.3 m intervals between them. Based In order to verify the rationality of the theoretical model men-
on the engineering geological condition of Xinrui coal mine, the tioned above, we built a numerical model with FLAC3D to reveal

Table 1
Parameters for the theoretical model.

H (m) h (m) L (m) Rc (MPa) Rc0 (MPa) C0 (kPa) u0 (°) A (1) c (kN/m3) K (1) Px (MPa)
300 1.7 30 10 2 200 22 0.8 25 2.75 0

Fig. 5. Distribution for the abnormal stress under RBCP for the B-B cross section in Fig. 1.
 J. Kang et al. / International Journal of Mining Science and Technology 27 (2017) 945–954 949

Table 2
Mechanical and physical parameters used in numerical model.

Rock strata Thickness (m) Bulk modulus (GPa) Shear modulus (GPa) Friction angle (°) Cohesion (MPa) Tensile strength (MPa)
Strata above 12.0 16.67 10.00 35 7.0 2.00
Sandstone 12.3 14.88 10.25 38 5.0 4.00
3# coal 1.0 5.56 2.27 16 2.0 0.50
Mudstone 9.0 0.58 0.27 36 4.4 1.45
4# coal 1.7 2.78 1.14 16 0.3 0.20
Strata below RBCPS 44.0 1.00 1.00

the abnormal stress below the RBCP. The elastic model was used to
simulate the mechanical behavior of the rocks below the RBCP
while the Mohr–Coulomb model was used to simulate the other
parts of the numerical model. The dimensions of the numerical
model are 200 m
10 m
80 m. The horizontal and bottom sides
were applied with roller constraint while the top side was applied
with vertical stress of 6.48 MPa and the lateral stress coefficient
was selected as 0.8. Moreover, the average volume-density of over-
lying strata was regarded as 25 kN/m3. Table 2 shows the rock
strata properties used in the numerical model based on geological
mechanics monitoring.
The numerical results of the abnormal stress in three positions,
with vertical intervals (y) being 2 m, 5 m and 10 m respectively,
were compared with the theoretical results as shown in Fig. 6. It
is obvious that the abnormal stress below the RBCPs presents a
similar distribution compared with the theoretical results. There-
fore, both the theoretical and numerical method can be used to
obtain and analyze the abnormal stress below the RPCPs in this
specific engineering geological condition.

4. Influence of abnormal stress on the stability of the entry

A good entry layout that takes into account the horizontal and
vertical spacing around the load-bearing coal pillar can prevent
large deformation and rock failure by creating stress conditions
that enhance the stability of the entry design. In previous studies,
selection of the coal entry location under the load-bearing coal pil-
lar was based on the absolute stress value [17–20]. However, this
method ignores the natural stress distribution under the pillar. In
the study presented in this paper we use the abnormal stress as
an analysis evaluation index. We apply a numerical method to ana-
lyze the relation between the abnormal stress and the stability of
the entry, making the following assumptions: (1) homogeneity-
we assume that the lithology does not change around the entry;
(2) isotropy-the physical and mechanicals parameters of the rock
remain unchanged in all directions; (3) structural weakness planes
such as stratification are ignored; (4) the variable factors in the
numerical model are SCC (f), SG (d), and CLP (k).

4.1. Numerical model

We used FLAC3D to determine the relationship between the

abnormal stresses and the stability of the entry [43,44]. The model,
based on the Mohr–Coulomb theory, simulates a block which is
65 m
10 m
65 m, comprising 42, 250 units. The cross section
Fig. 6. Comparison for abnormal stress between theoretical method and numerical
of the entry is 5 m
4 m (width
height). The mechanical param- method.
eters are listed in Table 3. The variational stress boundary condi-
tion for x and z direction of the model was used to simulate the
abnormal stresses while the density of the model was set as 0 for
stress balance in vertical direction. Meanwhile, the boundary per- Combining the controlled variable approach with orthogonal
pendicular to the y direction was fixed along y direction. The stress parameter input, we simulated the behavior of SCC, SG, CLP and
boundary conditions and initial stress used in the model are illus- examined the effect on the stability of the entry. When simulating
trated in Fig. 7. The numerical model is used to analyze the synergy the effects of SCC on the entry’s stability we set the parameters
effects of the three indexes on the stability of the rock around the qz = qx = fcH, while SG and CLP were constant and equal to 0 and
entry ignoring the effect of the lithology below the RBCP. 1, respectively. In the equation above, f is the SCC; qz is the stress
950 J. Kang et al. / International Journal of Mining Science and Technology 27 (2017) 945–954
Table 3
Mechanical and physical parameters used in numerical model.
Lithology Bulk modulus (GPa) Shear modulus (GPa)
Rock below the RBCPs 2 1
Fig. 7. Numerical computation model.
boundary in vertical direction; qx is the stress boundary in
horizontal direction. When simulating the effects of SG on the
entry’s stability we set qz = qx = dy + fcH and fixed CLP as 1, SCC
as 1, 5, and 10, where d is the SG; When simulating the effects of
CLP on the entry’s stability we set qx = kqz = kfcH while SG was
set as 0, and SCC as assigned the values of 1, 5, 10. For qx = kqz = -
k(fcH + dy), SCC was set as 2 and SG as 0, 3, and 6, where k is
CLP. The numeric simulation scheme is shown in Table 4, and the
results are as shown in Figs. 8–11.
4.2. Effect of the abnormal stress on the stability of the rock around the
entry
(1) Effects of SCC (f)
The peak stress and peak displacement around the entry pre-
sent a linearly increasing trend and a parabolic increasing trend,
respectively, as the SCC increases (Fig. 8); thus, the rock stability
has a negative correlation with increasing SCC. The peak stress
rises by 47.5 MPa (from 3.5 MPa to 51 MPa) while the peak dis-
placement peak increases by 277 mm (from 4 mm to 281 mm) as
the SCC rises from 1 to 15. Therefore, a layout with a lower SCC
value is beneficial for the stability of the entry.
(2) Combined effects of SCC and SG
The simulation results show that as the SG increased from
0 MPa/m to 6 MPa/m (Fig. 9) the peak stress increased linearly by
56.85 MPa (from 3.15 MPa to 60 MPa), 57 MPa (from 18 MPa to
75 MPa), and 59 MPa (from 36 MPa to 95 MPa) while the peak dis-
placement around the entry increased by 390 mm (from 4 mm to
400 mm), 500 mm (from 50 mm to 550 mm), and 680 mm (from
170 mm to 850 mm). While the stress growth increments changed
only slightly with increased SCC, those of the displacement
increased considerably as the SCC rose. Thus, the stability of the
Table 4
Simulation plans for the effects of the abnormal stress on the rock around entry.
Abnormal stress Scheme 1 Scheme 2 Scheme 3
SCC f (1) 1 5 10
SG d (MPa/m) 0 2 4 6
CLP k (1) 0.2 0.4 0.6
Internal friction angle (°) Cohesion (MPa) Tensile strength (MPa)
30 1 1
Fig. 8. Effects of the SCC on the stability of the rock around entry.
rock around the entry has a negative correlation with SG and this
effect will be strengthened by SCC. Therefore, an entry layout
where both the SG and SCC values are low will improve the stabil-
ity of the rock surrounding the entry.
(3) Combined effects of SCC and CLP
Fig. 10 shows the changes in the peak stress and displacement
of the rock surrounding the entry as the CLP rises. When the CLP
increases from 0.2 to 0.6, the stress and displacement increases
gradually; for CLP = 0.6–1.0 the peak stress decreases slowly and
for CLP = 1.0–2.2 the stress increase rapidly. The displacement peak
increases slowly when the CLP increases from 0.2 to 1 and then
increases rapidly when the CLP exceeds 1. The local maximum
value of the peak stress occurs when CLP = 0.6 and the local mini-
mum is observed when CLP = 1. The CLP has a stronger effect when
CLP > 1. Therefore, the entry will be more stable where the CLP is
close to 1.
The SCC can strengthen the stability effects of the CLP since the
maximum increments of the stress peak are 4.5, 23.5, and 43.5 MPa
and the maximum increments of the displacement peak are 6.9,
133.4, and 426.9 mm when the SCC equals 1, 5, and 10, respec-
tively; hence, both stress and displacement increase as the SCC
increases. Meanwhile, the local maximum value and local mini-
mum value for the stress peak increase from 3.95 to 39.29 MPa
and from 3.18 to 35.46 MPa when the SCC increases from 1 to
10, respectively. Thus, the stability of the entry will improve when
it is located in a zone where the SCC is low and the CLP is close to 1.
(4) Combined effects of SG and CLP
The combined effects of SG and CLP are identical to the com-
bined effects of SCC and CLP on the stability of the rock around
the entry (see Figs. 10 and 11). The SG can strengthen the stability
effects of the CLP: the maximum increments of the peak stress are
9.8, 46.2, and 81.4 MPa and the maximum increments of the peak
Scheme 4 Scheme 5 Scheme 6 Scheme 7 Scheme 8
15
0.8 1 1.4 1.8 2.2
 J. Kang et al. / International Journal of Mining Science and Technology 27 (2017) 945–954 951

Fig. 9. Synergistic effects of SCC and SG on the stability of rock around entry.

Fig. 10. Synergistic effects of SCC and CLP on the stability of rock around entry.

Fig. 11. Synergistic effects of SG and CLP on the stability of the rock around entry.

displacement are 27.1, 308.4, and 629.1 mm for SG values of 0, 3, 73.20 MPa and from 6.56 to 63.82 MPa when the SG increases from
and 6 MPa/m, respectively, both stress and displacement increas- 0 to 6 MPa/m, respectively. These results indicate that the stability
ing as the SG rises. Moreover, the local maximum value and local of the rock surrounding the entry will improve when the SG is
minimum value for the stress peak increases from 7.86 to close to zero and the CLP is close to 1.
952 J. Kang et al. / International Journal of Mining Science and Technology 27 (2017) 945–954
The analysis indicates further that the stability of the rock
around the entry is negatively correlated with the SCC and SG and
negatively correlated with the CLP when CLP = 0.2–0.6 or CLP > 1;
however, it is positively correlated with the CLP when CLP = 0.6–
1.0. The combined effects of the SCC, SG, and CLP are much larger
than the effects of any single component. Thus, it is beneficial for
the entry to be situated in a zone where the SCC and SG are low
and the CLP is close to 1. These parameter values can serve as a use-
ful guideline when designing the entry position under the RBCP.
However, it is worth noting that when CLP < 1, the stability of the
entry depends mainly on SCC and SG and when SCC and SG are suf-
ficiently low, the effects of the CLP on the stability of the entry are
weaker than when SCC and SG are larger. Therefore, in designing
the entry layout, the first priority is a zone where SCC and SG are
low, and the second priority is a CLP value close to 1.
5. Design of the entry position in the strata below the RBCP
Based on the analysis in Section 4 and the geological conditions
in the Xinrui coal mine, the predicted abnormal stress in coal seam
5 induced by the single RBCP is shown in Fig. 12. The SCC can be
divided into three zones: Zone A where SCC > 1, Zone B where
SCC < 1, and Zone C where SCC = 1. As shown in previous studies
[17–20], the entry should be located in the zone where the small-
Fig. 12. Abnormal stress under close single RBCP in Xinrui coal mine.
Fig. 13. Distribution of measurement stations and measurement points.
Fig. 14. Convergence for the entry under close single RBCP in Xinrui coal mine.
est SCC occurs, i.e., point 1 in Zone B, about 5 m from the side of the
RBCP in our model. However, if we consider the combined effects
of the abnormal stress on the stability of the entry, the entry
should be located in the zone where both the SCC and SG are
low and the CLP is close to 1. The areas that best satisfies all these
conditions are the regions of Zone B and Zone C that are more than
24 m from the side of the RBCP.
The most stable position for the entry in the strata below the
RBCP based on our analysis can be verified by field measurements
in the Xinrui coal mine where the 1501 head entry in coal seam 5
runs vertically close to the RBCP in coal seam 4. Seven measure-
ment stations were arranged along the axial direction of the entry
with the intervals being 6.75 m, 7 m below the RBCP and 10 m
below the gob during the development of the 1501 head entry as
shown in Fig. 13a. The first measurement station was arranged
below the center of the RBCP. There were four measurement points
distributed in the surface of the entry for every measurement sta-
tion as shown in Fig. 13b and the accumulated convergence for
every measurement stations is shown as Fig. 14.
The convergence curve for the entry decreases rapidly at the
first stage, then gradually declines to be stable as the distance from
the center of the RBCP increases. It is beneficial to place the entry
in a zone where the convergence for the entry is stable. In Fig. 12,
we find that the most stable zone for the entry is within the stable
convergence zone in Fig. 14. Moreover, point 1 in Fig. 12 is inside
the zone where the convergence decreases slowly in Fig. 14. Hence,
the most stable zone for entry layout as derived by the method
presented in this paper agrees with the convergence results for
the entry obtained from the field measurements.
 J. Kang et al. / International Journal of Mining Science and Technology 27 (2017) 945–954
6. Conclusions
Entries under load-bearing coal pillars will suffer large defor-
mation that may develop into rock burst. To clarify the deforma-
tion mechanism and find a practical numerical method to design
a safe entry layout, a new method to describe the abnormal stress
state using the stress concentrated coefficient, stress gradient, and
coefficient of lateral pressure is introduced. An analytical solution
for the abnormal stress in the strata below the RBCP was deduced
based on a model of the field case in China. The modeling results
showed that the abnormal stress was characterized by three zones:
a zone of high SCC, high SG, and CLP < 1, a zone of high SCC, low SG,
and CLP < 1, a zone of low SCC, SG close to 0, and CLP > 1, and a
zone of SCC close to 1, SC close to 0, and CLP close to 1.
Based on these distinct zones, a numerical model was estab-
lished to study the combined effects of the abnormal stress on
the stability of the entry. The analysis indicates that the stability
of the rock around the entry is negatively correlated with the
SCC and SG and is negatively correlated with the CLP when
CLP = 0.2–0.6 or CLP > 1. The entry stability is positively correlated
with the CLP when CLP = 0.6–1. Moreover, high SCC values can
strengthen the stabilizing effect of the SG or CLP on the entry while
high SG values can also strengthen the influence of the CLP on the
stability of the entry. Hence, the combined effects of the SCC, SG,
and CLP are much larger than the effects of any single abnormal
stress component.
Our analysis showed that to achieve good stability the entry
should be situated in a zone of low SCC and SG; additionally, CLP
should be close to 1. The method for deriving a safe layout for entry
in the strata below the RBCP in the Xinrui coal mine in China was
verified by measuring the convergence of the entry in the mine. We
found that the highest entry stability will be achieved if the hori-
zontal offset from the center of the pillar is more than 24 m. These
results can serve as a useful guideline when designing a safe entry
layout in similar geological and mining conditions. However, this
method can be used typically in the homogeneous rocks or as an
auxiliary method for field measurement in the inhomogeneous
rocks.
Acknowledgments
Financial supports for this work, provided by the National Nat-
ural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51574227, 51474209 and
51604268), the Research Innovation Program for College Graduates
of Jiangsu Province (No. KYLX16_0559), the Fundamental Research
Funds for the Central Universities (No. 2014XT01), the Priority Aca-
demic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institu-
tions (No. SZBF2011-6-B35), and the Natural Science Foundation
of Jiangsu Province of China (No. BK20140210), are gratefully
acknowledged.
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