Evolution of a mining induced fracture network in the overburden strata of an inclined coal seam

The geological conditions of the Pingdingshan coal mining group were used to construct a physical model used to study the distribution and evolution of mining induced cracks in the overburden strata. Digital graphics technology and fractal theory are introduced to characterize the distribution and growth of the mining induced fractures in the overburden strata of an inclined coal seam. A relationship between fractal dimension of the fracture network and the pressure in the overburden strata is suggested. Mining induced fractures spread dynamically to the mining face and up into the roof as the length of advance increases. Moreover, the fractal dimension of the fracture network increases with increased mining length, in general, but decreases during a period from overburden strata separation until the main roof collapses. It is a1so shown that overburden strata pressure plays an important role in the evolution of mining induced fractures and that the fractal dimension of the fractures increases with the pressure of the overburden. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of China University of Mining & Technology.