Study on Distribution Characteristics of Mining Stress and Elastic Energy Under Hard and Thick Igneous Rocks

In the coal measure strata, igneous rocks are often invaded, and their occurrence, size, and distribution form play an important role in mining safety. The breakage of hard and thick igneous rocks easily induces dynamic disasters, such as rock burst, mine seismicity, gas outburst, and surface subsidence, which seriously threaten mine safety production. In view of the working face with overlying hard and thick igneous rocks, the evolution characteristics of mining stress and energy distribution under hard and thick igneous rocks were investigated. Furthermore, the influence law of different horizons and thicknesses of igneous rock on overlying strata movement law, stress distribution, and energy distribution was analyzed based on FLAC3D numerical simulation. Results show that no evident subsidence of the overlying strata exists before the igneous rock is broken. Additionally, the subsidence amount of the overburden is suddenly increased after the igneous rock is broken, thereby showing significant mutability. Before the igneous rock breaks, a high stress area is formed around the goaf, and the stress concentration gradually increases with the increase of the mining scope. After the igneous rock breaks, the coal under high stress is prone to induce dynamic disasters under the action of strong dynamic load. However, the advanced abutment pressure and stored energy rapidly decreased. The accuracy of the numerical simulation is verified by field monitoring. Results of the study are of considerable significance for safe mining of working face under similar geological conditions.