Roadway failure and support in a coal seam underlying a previously mined coal seam

The influence of an upper, mined coal seam on the stability of rock surrounding a roadway in a lower coal seam is examined. The technical problems of roadway control are discussed based on the geological conditions existing in the Liyazhuang Mine No.2 coal seam. The stress distribution and floor failure in the lower works after mining the upper coal is studied through numerical simulations. The failure mechanism of the roof and walls of a roadway located in the lower coal seam is described. The predicted deformation and failure of the roadway for different distances between the two coal seams are used to design two ways of supporting the lower structure. One is a combined support consisting of anchors with a joist steel tent and a combined anchor truss. A field test of the design was performed to good effect. The results have significance for the design of supports for roadways located in similar conditions.