Overburden fracture evolution laws and water-controlling technologies in mining very thick coal seam under water-rich roof

Considering the danger of water inrush in mining very thick coal seam under water-rich roof in Majialiang Coal Mine, the universal discrete element (UDEC) software was used to simulate the overburden fracture evolution laws when mining 4# coal seam. Besides, this study researched on the influence of face advancing length, speed and mining height on the height of the water flowing fractured zones (HWFFZ), and analyzed the correlation of face advancing length and change rules of aquifer water levels and goaf water inflow. Based on those mentioned above, this research proposed the following water-controlling technologies: draining the roof water before mining, draining goaf water, reasonable advancing speed and mining thickness. These water-controlling technologies were successfully used in the field, thus ensured safely mining the very thick coal seam under water-rich roof.