• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.237-255
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• 2015

From the related engineering principles, analytical solutions for horizontal crack initiation and propagation on a coal panel floor-underlying strata interface due to coal panel excavation are derived in this paper. Two important concepts, namely the critical panel width of horizontal crack initiation on the panel floor-underlying strata interface and the critical panel width of vertical fracture (crack) initiation in the panel floor, have been presented. The resulting analytical solution indicates that: (1) the first criterion can be used to express the condition under which horizontal plane cracks (on the panel floor-underlying strata interface or in the panel floor because of delamination) due to the mining induced vertical stress will initiate and propagate; (2) the second criterion can be used to express the condition under which vertical plane cracks (in the panel floor) due to the mining induced horizontal stress will initiate and propagate; (3) this orthogonal set of horizontal and vertical plane cracks, once formed, will provide the necessary weak network for the flow of gas to inrush into the panel. Two characteristic equations are given to quantitatively estimate both the critical panel width of vertical fracture initiation in the panel floor and the critical panel width of horizontal crack initiation on the interface between the panel floor and its underlying strata. The significance of this study is to provide not only some theoretical bases for understanding the fundamental mechanism of a longwall floor gas inrush problem but also a benchmark solution for verifying any numerical methods that are used to deal with this kind of gas inrush problem.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.397-408
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• 2012

This paper describes the refined 3-D finite element (FE) modeling of composite frames composed of concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns and steel-concrete composite beams based on the test to get a better understanding of the seismic behavior of the steel-concrete composite frames. A number of material nonlinearities and contact nonlinearities, as well as geometry nonlinearities, were taken into account. The elastoplastic behavior, as well as fracture and post-fracture behavior, of the FE models were in good agreement with those of the specimens. Besides, the beam and panel zone deformation of the analysis models fitted well with the corresponding deformation of the specimens. Parametric studies were conducted based on the refined finite elememt (FE) model. The analyzed parameters include slab width, slab thickness, shear connection degree and axial force ratio. The influences of these parameters, together with the presence of transverse beam, on the seismic behavior of the composite frame were studied. And some advices for the corresponding seismic design provisions of composite structures were proposed.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2020

This paper presents an investigation of the ground response of a gob-side gateroad suffering mining stress induced by a 21 m-thick coal seam extraction. A field observation, including entry convergence and stress changes monitoring, was first conducted in the tailgate 8209. The observation results of entry convergence showed that, during the adjacent panel 8210 retreating period, the deformation of the gob-side gateroad experienced a continuous increase stage, subsequently, an accelerating increase stage, and finally, a slow increase stage. However, strong ground response, including roof bending deflection, rib extrusion and floor heave, occurred during the current panel 8209 retreating period, and the maximum floor heave reached 1530 mm. The stress changes within coal mass of the two ribs demonstrated that the gateroad was always located in the stress concentrated area, which responsible for the strong response of the tailgate 8209. Subsequently, a hydraulic fracture technique was proposed to pre-fracture the two hard roofs above the tailgate 8209, thus decreasing the induced disturbance on the tailgate. The validity of the above roof treatment was verified via field application. The finding of this study could be a reference for understanding the stability control of the gob-side gateroad in extra thick coal seams mining.