Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Unconventional asymmetric failure in mining roadways is primarily driven by the angle between roadway axis and maximum horizontal stress, causing uneven principal stress distribution. • On-site measurements in the 9106 ventilation roadway revealed coal sidewall deformation of 50–80 cm and failure zone depth up to 3 m, significantly exceeding the coal pillar side. • A novel stress analysis model was developed to quantify the combined effects of in-situ stress and mining-induced stress on roadway surrounding rock. • True triaxial tests demonstrated that differential stress distribution exacerbates crack propagation and fracture on the coal side, providing a mechanical basis for UAF.
Abstract
It is of great significance to study the failure mode of mining roadways for safe coal mining. The unconventional asymmetric failure (UAF) phenomenon was discovered in the 9106 ventilation roadway of Wangzhuang coal mine in Shanxi Province. The main manifestation is that the deformation of the roadway on the coal side is much greater than that on the coal pillar side. A comprehensive study was conducted on on-site detection, theoretical analysis, laboratory tests and numerical simulation of the UAF phenomenon. On-site detection shows that the deformation of the coal sidewall can reach 50–80 cm, and the failure zone depth can reach 3 m. The deformation and fracture depth on the coal pillar side are much smaller than those on the coal side. A calculation model for the principal stress of surrounding rock when the axial direction of the roadway is inconsistent with the in-situ stress field was established. The distribution of the failure zone on both sides of the roadway has been defined by the combined mining induced stress. The true triaxial test studied the mechanical mechanism of rock mass fracture and crack propagation on both sides of the roadway. The research results indicate that the axial direction, stress field distribution, and mining induced stress field distribution of the roadway jointly affect the asymmetric failure mode of the roadway. The angle between the axis direction of the roadway and the maximum horizontal stress field leads to uneven distribution of the principal stress field on both sides. The differential distribution of mining induced stress exacerbates the asymmetric distribution of principal stress in the surrounding rock. The uneven stress distribution on both sides of the roadway is the main cause of UAF formation. The research results can provide mechanical explanations and theoretical support for the control of surrounding rock in roadways with similar failure characteristics.
1. Introduction
In mining engineering, the structural stability of roadways is one of the key factors to ensure safe and efficient production [1–3]. Especially in deep stress environments, the research of the failure mechanism and asymmetric failure phenomena is particularly important [4–6]. The failure of roadways not only affects production efficiency, but may also lead to major safety accidents. Therefore, a deep understanding on the failure mechanism of roadways under complex geological conditions and external loads has important theoretical and practical significance [7].
In recent years, with the increasing depth of underground mining, the stress environment in which roadways are located has become more complex. The asymmetry of roadway failure is more pronounced [8,9]. The asymmetry is mainly reflected in the deformation, stress distribution, and failure modes of roadway surrounding rock. It is influenced by various factors, such as the stress state, rock mechanics properties, roadway geometry, and excavation methods [10,11]. At present, research on roadway failure mechanism and asymmetric failure mainly focuses on theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and on-site monitoring. Among them, numerical simulation become an important means due to the ability to simulate complex geological environments and engineering conditions [12–14]. Through numerical simulations, researchers can observe the stress-strain state of the surrounding rock under different conditions, further revealing the underlying failure mechanism [11,15,16].
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Zongyu Ma, Jianping Zuo, Chengyi Xu, Yiming Jiang (2025). Mechanical mechanism of unconventional asymmetric failure in mining roadways: A joint research on crack propagation and engineering fracture. SinoTechIntel Verified Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2025.11.001
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is unconventional asymmetric failure (UAF) in mining roadways?
UAF refers to a failure mode where deformation and fracture on one side of a roadway (e.g., coal side) are significantly greater than on the other side (e.g., coal pillar side), as observed in the 9106 ventilation roadway of Wangzhuang coal mine.
What causes the asymmetric failure in mining roadways?
The primary cause is the uneven distribution of principal stress in the surrounding rock, influenced by the angle between the roadway axis and the maximum horizontal stress, combined with differential mining-induced stress distribution.
How was the study conducted?
The study integrated on-site detection, theoretical analysis, laboratory true triaxial tests, and numerical simulation to investigate the mechanical mechanisms of UAF.
What are the practical implications of this research?
The findings provide mechanical explanations and theoretical support for controlling surrounding rock in roadways with similar failure characteristics, enhancing safety and efficiency in coal mining.
What methods were used to analyze stress distribution?
A calculation model for principal stress was established, and true triaxial tests were conducted to study rock mass fracture and crack propagation, complemented by numerical simulations.
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