Coal Mine Stability and Floor Heave Control
Summary
Coal mine stability hinges on the interplay between geological conditions, mining-induced stress redistribution and the mechanical behaviour of both roof and floor strata. Floor heave, the upward deformation of the mine floor, typically results from high horizontal stresses, shear concentration and the presence of water-sensitive clay minerals. Uncontrolled heave can obstruct haulage, damage equipment and compromise safety. To mitigate these risks, engineers employ a combination of geomechanical modelling, in situ monitoring and tailored support systems. Pressure-relief techniques such as floor slots relieve built-up stress, while reinforcement measures—grouting, bolt-anchoring and steel mesh—strengthen the floor and adjacent rock mass. Advances in constitutive modelling and three-dimensional numerical simulation have significantly improved the prediction of deformation patterns under varying depths and water conditions. By integrating site-specific data with optimised support layouts, modern practice achieves sustainable stability in both shallow and deep coal mines, underpinning safer, more efficient extraction worldwide.
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Coal Mine Stability and Floor Heave Control publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in coal mine stability and floor heave control across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Floor heave: Upward movement of the mine floor caused by stress redistribution, shear concentration or water-softening of strata.
Grouting: Injection of cementitious or chemical mixtures into fractures and pores to increase rock mass strength and reduce permeability.
Roof bolting: Installation of steel bolts into the roof strata to reinforce and bind discontinuities, preventing collapse.
Constitutive model: Mathematical representation of the stress–strain behaviour of geological materials under varying loading conditions.
Plastic zone: Region around an excavation where rock has yielded and undergone irreversible deformation.
References
- Research on Theory and Technology of Floor Heave Control in Semicoal Rock Roadway: Taking Longhu Coal Mine in Qitaihe Mining Area as an Example. Lithosphere (2022).
- Research on Mechanism and Control of Floor Heave of Mining-Influenced Roadway in Top Coal Caving Working Face. Energies (2020).
- Modeling of Floor Heave in Underground Roadways in Dry and Waterlogged Conditions. Energies (2022).
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