Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The influence of mining stress paths on rock damage and permeability

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

To explore the stability control mechanism of surrounding rock during coal seam mining, the rock mechanical properties under the mining stress path were studied in this paper. The study begins by summarizing the mining roof and floor triaxial stress (MRTS and MFTS) paths through numerical simulations. The MRTS path is characterized by axial loading and confining unloading, while the MFTS path involves axial loading and confining loading. Subsequently, triaxial tests were conducted on rocks subjected to the mining stress path. The results indicated that compared to the standard triaxial stress (STS) path, the peak strength, peak axial strain, elastic modulus, and Poisson’s ratio under the MRTS path were lower, whereas those under the MFTS path were higher. The MRTS path exhibited a more forward dilation deformation, rendering it more susceptible to damage, whereas the MFTS path displayed a more stable and backward dilation deformation. Tensile failure was primarily observed under the MRTS path, whereas the MFTS path resulted in shear failure. Furthermore, the study analyzed the variation of rock permeability with axial and volumetric strain. The relationship between permeability and axial strain follows a √ shape, initially decreasing and subsequently increasing. The relationship between permeability and volumetric strain is found to be complex. Before the dilation onset point, the permeability decreases under both the STS and MFTS paths, while it decreases and increases slowly under the MRTS path. After the dilation onset point, the permeability increases under the STS and MRTS paths but initially decreases and then increases under the MFTS path. The research findings provide valuable theoretical guidance for mining strata control and water conservation mining practices.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

References

  • Adhikary DP, Guo H (2015) Modelling of longwall mining-induced strata permeability change. Rock Mech Rock Eng 48:345–359

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cao W, Lei Q, Cai W (2021) Stress-dependent deformation and permeability of a fractured coal subject to excavation-related loading paths. Rock Mech Rock Eng 54(8):4299–4320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen HD, Yuan PC, Zhou HX, Li W (2013) Damage and permeability development in coal during unloading. Rock Mech Rock Eng 46(6):1377–1390

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen X, Tang CA, Yu J, Zhou JF, Cai YY (2018) Experimental investigation on deformation characteristics and permeability evolution of rock under confining pressure unloading conditions. J Cent South Univ 25(8):1987–2001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng X, Zhao G, Li Y, Meng XR, Tu QY, Huang SJ, Qin ZH (2021) Mining-induced pressure-relief mechanism of coal-rock mass for different protective layer mining modes. Adv Mater Sci Eng 2021:1–15

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duan SQ, Jiang Q, Liu GF, Xiong JQ, Gao P, Xu DP, Li MY (2021) An insight into the excavation-induced stress paths on mechanical response of weak interlayer zone in underground cavern under high geostress. Rock Mech Rock Eng 54(3):1331–1354

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Durucan S, Edwards JSS (1986) The effects of stress and fracturing on permeability of coal. Min Sci Technol 3:205–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferfera FMR, Sarda JP, Boutéca M, Vincké O (1997) Experimental study of monophasic permeability changes under various stress paths. Int J Rock Mech Min 34(97):37.e1-37.e12

    Google Scholar 

  • Fotovvat AR, Sadrekarimi A (2022) Instability of a gold mine tailings subjected to different stress paths. J Geotech Geoenviron 148(5):04022020

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gao MZ, Xie J, Gao YA, Wang WY, Li C, Yang BG, Liu JJ, Xie HP (2021) Mechanical behavior of coal under different mining rates: a case study from laboratory experiments to field testing. Int J Min Sci Techno 31(5):825–841

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gentzis T, Deisman N, Chalaturnyk RJ (2007) Geomechanical properties and permeability of coal from the foothills and mountain regions of western Canada. Int J Coal Geol 69:153–164

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guo YT, Yang CH, Mao HJ (2012) Mechanical properties of Jintan mine rock salt under complex stress paths. Int J Rock Mech Min 56:54–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heiland J (2003) Permeability of triaxially compressed sandstone: influence of deformation and strain-rate on permeability. Pure Appl Geophys 160(5):889–908

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jasinge D, Ranjith PG, Choi SK (2011) Effects of effective stress changes on permeability of latrobe valley brown coal. Fuel 90:1292–1300

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karacan CÖ, Esterhuizen GS, Schatzel S, Diamond WP (2007) Reservoir simulation based modeling for characterizing longwall methane emissions and gob gas venthole production. Int J Coal Geol 71:225–245

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kittitep F, Decho P (2010) Effects of cyclic loading on mechanical properties of Maha Sarakham salt. Eng Geol 112:43–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li X, Cao WG, Su YH (2012) A statistical damage constitutive model for softening behavior of rocks. Eng Geol 2012:143–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Li XB, Cao WZ, Zhou ZL, Zou Y (2014) Influence of stress path on excavation unloading response. Tunn Undergr Sp Tech 42:237–246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liang YP, Ran QC, Zou QL, Zhang BC, Hong Y (2022) Experimental study of mechanical behaviors and failure characteristics of coal under true triaxial cyclic loading and unloading and stress rotation. Nat Resour Res 31(2):971–991

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu YB, Yin GZ, Li MH, Zhang DM, Deng BZ, Liu C, Lu J (2019) Anisotropic mechanical properties and the permeability evolution of cubic coal under true triaxial stress paths. Rock Mech Rock Eng 52(8):2505–2521

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ma TR, Ma DP, Yang YJ (2020) Fractal characteristics of coal and sandstone failure under different unloading confining pressure tests. Adv Mater Sci Eng 2020:1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin CD (1997) Seventeenth Canadian geotechnical colloquium: the effect of cohesion loss and stress path on brittle rock strength. Can Geotech J 34(5):698–725

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oda M, Takemura T, Aoki T (2002) Damage growth and permeability change in triaxial compression tests of Inada granite. Mech Mater 34(6):313–331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer I, Mansoori J (1996) How permeability depends on stress and pore pressure in coalbeds: a new model. SPE Reserv Eval Eng 1:539–544

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panaghi K, Takemura T, Asahina D, Takahashi M (2021) Effects of stress path on brittle failure of sandstone: difference in crack growth between triaxial compression and extension conditions. Tectonophysics 810:228865

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peng K, Shi SW, Zou QL, Zhang YL, Tan GW (2020) Gas permeability characteristics and energy evolution laws of gas-bearing coal under multi-level stress paths. Nat Resour Res 29(5):3137–3158

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rong TL, Zhou HW, Wang LJ, Ren WG, Ji SH (2018) Coal permeability model for gas movement under the three-dimensional stress. J China Coal Soci 43(7):1930–1937

    Google Scholar 

  • Taheri A, Yfantidis N, Olivares C, Connelly B, Bastian T (2016) Experimental study on degradation of mechanical properties of sandstone under different cyclic loadings. Geotech Test J 39(4):GTJ20150231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walton G, Gaines S (2023) Evaluation of stress path and load rate effects on rock strength using compression testing data for Stanstead Granite. Int J Rock Mech Min 169(2023):105455

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang K, Du F (2019) Experimental investigation on mechanical behavior and permeability evolution in coal-rock combined body under unloading conditions. Arab J Geosci 12(14):422

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang LJ, Zhou HW, Rong TL, Ren WG (2019) Hyperbolic function-based permeability model of coal under mining stress at deep mine. J China Coal Soci 44(3):941–948

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie HP, Zhou HW, Liu JF, Gao F, Zhang R, Xue DJ, Zhang Y (2011) Mining-induced mechanical behavior in coal seams under different mining layouts. J China Coal Soci 36(7):1067–1074

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie HP, Zhang ZT, Gao F, Zhang R, Gao MZ, Liu JF (2016) Stress-fracture-seepage field behavior of coal under different mining layouts. J China Coal Soci 41(10):2405–2417

    Google Scholar 

  • Xin CP, Wang K, Du F, Zhang X, Wang GD, Liu YL (2018) Mechanical properties and permeability evolution of gas-bearing coal under phased variable speed loading and unloading. Arab J Geosci 11(23):247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xue D, Wang JQ, Zhao YW, Zhou HW (2018a) Quantitative determination of mining-induced discontinuous stress drop in coal. Int J Rock Mech Min 111:1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xue Y, Dang FN, Cao ZZ, Gao F, Du J, Ren J, Chang X, Gao F (2018b) Deformation, permeability and acoustic emission characteristics of coal masses under mining-induced stress paths. Energies 11(9):2233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang SQ, Xu P, Ranjith PG, Chen GF, Jing HW (2015) Evaluation of creep mechanical behavior of deep-buried marble under triaxial cyclic loading. Arab J Geosci 8(9):6567–6582

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yin GZ, Li MH, Wang JG, Xu J, Li WP (2015) Mechanical behavior and permeability evolution of gas infiltrated coals during protective layer mining. Int J Rock Mech Min 80:292–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zha WH, Zhou HY, Liu ZB, Shao JF, Zhang YL, Hua XZ (2021) Experimental study of gas permeability evolution in tight sandstone with damage and cracking along various stress loading paths. B Eng Geol Environ 80(10):7847–7863

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang R, Cheng YP, Zhou HX, Yuan L, Li W, Liu QQ, Jin K, Tu QY (2018) New insights into the permeability-increasing area of overlying coal seams disturbed by the mining of coal. J Nat Gas Sci Eng 49:352–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang C, Bai QS, Chen YH (2020) Using stress path-dependent permeability law to evaluate permeability enhancement and coalbed methane flow in protected coal seam: a case study. Geomech Geophys Geo 6(3):53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang L, Huang MQ, Li MX, Lu S, Yuan XC, Li JH (2021) Experimental study on evolution of fracture network and permeability characteristics of bituminous coal under repeated mining effect. Nat Resour Res 31(1):463–486

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Open Project of Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Coal Resources Green Mining, Ministry of Education (KLXGY-KB2401) and The Natural Science Foundation of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China (23KJD440002).

Funding

This study was funded by Open Project of Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Coal Resources Green Mining, Ministry of Education, KLXGY-KB2401, The Natural Science Foundation of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China, 23KJD440002.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering, Xuzhou University of Technology, Xuzhou, 221018, China

    Jinshuai Guo & Shengcheng Wang

  2. Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Coal Resources Green Mining, Ministry of Education, Xinjiang Institute of Engineering, Urumqi, 830023, China

    Jinshuai Guo & Liqiang Ma

  3. School of Mines, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China

    Liqiang Ma

  4. Institute of Mining Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Tai’an, 271019, China

    Zhigang Liu

Authors
  1. Jinshuai Guo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Liqiang Ma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zhigang Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Shengcheng Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Jinshuai Guo proposed the innovative points and executed the experiments; Liqiang Ma established and solved the mechanical model; Zhigang Liu and Shengcheng Wang analyzed experiments results.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Jinshuai Guo or Zhigang Liu.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Guo, J., Ma, L., Liu, Z. et al. The influence of mining stress paths on rock damage and permeability. Environ Earth Sci 83, 307 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-024-11639-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-024-11639-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation