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Numerical Simulation and Application of Process in Deep Mining Engineering and Petroleum Engineering

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A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 October 2024) | Viewed by 11790

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Dr. Chenxi Ding

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Department of Civil Engineering, School of Civil and Resource Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: rock mechanics; blasting engineering; dynamic fracture; experimental technique; numerical simulation
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Dr. Chun Feng

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Key Laboratory for Mechanics in Fluid Solid Coupling Systems, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
Interests: continuous discontinuous numerical methods and software; explosion and shock waves; rock fracture and fragmentation; rock engineering and digital twin
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Dr. Chun Liu

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School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Interests: discrete element method; numerical simulation; rock mechanics; multi-field coupling

Prof. Dr. Liyun Yang

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Department of Geotechnical Engineering, School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: rock fragmentation; rock mechanics; blasting engineering; dynamic fracture; TBM; shaft and tunnel
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Dr. Jianguo Wang

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Faculty of Land Resources Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650031, China
Interests: rock dynamic mechanics; blasting theory; blasting experiment technique; engineering application of blasting technology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Rock is a composite geological structure that is heterogeneous, anisotropic, discontinuous, and has internal stress. Its structure also includes many rock units with different mechanical properties, and each unit itself is often heterogeneous, anisotropic, and discontinuous. It can be seen that the mechanical properties of rock are far more complex than those of other materials. Any scientific experiment, theoretical analysis and calculation of rock mechanics must consider these characteristics, which constitute the basic starting point of rock mechanics research. Rock mechanics is a discipline that studies the stress, strain, failure, stability and reinforcement of rock under the action of external factors (such as load, water flow, temperature change, etc.). With the utilization of underground space, the development of underground power stations (hydropower stations, thermal power stations, nuclear power stations), the development of mineral resources and energy sources, and transportation, the research on rock mechanics will increasingly turn towards an underground focus. Therefore, more attention will be paid to rock mechanics problems related to underground engineering in the future, such as rapid construction technology, rock burst, gas explosion, and in situ monitoring of surrounding rock.

This Special Issue, entitled “Numerical Simulation and Application of Process in Deep Mining Engineering and Petroleum Engineering”, aims to cover recent advances in the development and application of rock mechanics. Topics include, but are not limited to, methods and/or applications in the following areas:

Efficient numerical simulation method for rock mechanics.
Numerical simulation of rock and soil mass behavior under different loading conditions, especially impact or blast loading.
Modeling of soil–fluid interaction and its influence on rock behavior.
Computational geomechanics for underground excavations and tunnels.
New construction techniques and engineering applications in geotechnical engineering.

Dr. Chenxi Ding
Dr. Chun Feng
Dr. Chun Liu
Prof. Dr. Liyun Yang
Dr. Jianguo Wang
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

rock mechanics
geotechnical engineering
numerical simulation
soil–fluid interaction
blast loading
construction techniques

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 25381 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of the Influence of Cutter Geometry on the Cutting Forces in Soft–Hard Composite Ground by Tunnel Boring Machine Cutters

by Qinshan Wang, Hongpan Xue, Mingwen Yang, Xiaojie Li, Congsheng Liu and Shisen Zhao

Processes 2024, 12(10), 2243; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12102243 - 14 Oct 2024

Viewed by 749

Abstract

Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) are integral to modern underground engineering construction, offering enhanced safety and efficiency. However, TBMs often face challenges in complex geological conditions, such as composite strata, resulting in reduced advancement speed and increased cutter wear. This study investigates the rock-breaking characteristics of TBM disc cutters in composite strata through numerical simulations using the Particle Flow Code (PFC) 5.0 software. Focusing on the Jinan Metro Line 6, the research analyzes cutter forces, rock crack propagation, and the impact of cutter edge shapes on rock-breaking efficiency. The discrete element method (DEM) is employed to simulate microscopic behaviors of rocks, providing insights into crack formation, expansion, and failure. This study’s findings reveal that cutter design and operational parameters can significantly influence cutter lifespan and efficiency. By modifying cutter spacing and penetration depth, enhancing rock-breaking efficiency, and grouting softer layers, TBMs can maintain effective excavation in composite strata. The study establishes a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between TBM cutters and complex geological conditions, offering actionable strategies to enhance TBM performance and mitigate cutter damage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Application of Process in Deep Mining Engineering and Petroleum Engineering)

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21 pages, 12148 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Easer Hole Design Method Based on the Principle of Minimum Burden at the Hole Bottom and Its Application in Tunnel Blasting

by Xiaodong Wu, Jiayin Jia, Likun Wang, Shijun Zhou, Haojun Wu, Xinxiang Zhao and Min Gong

Processes 2024, 12(8), 1581; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12081581 - 28 Jul 2024

Viewed by 831

Abstract

Current tunnel blasting hole layouts are mostly designed based on a two-dimensional plane at the workface, without considering the distribution of the minimum burden at the bottom of the blast holes. This results in a significant number of residual holes at the bottom, reducing excavation efficiency. To address this issue, this study proposes an easer hole design method based on the principle of minimum burden at the hole bottom. The method involved the arithmetic distribution for the minimum burden at the bottom of easer holes, using the difficulty of rock breaking as the design principle for hole positioning. Through theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and field tests, it is proposed that the minimum burden at the bottom of the holes should increase progressively with the initiation sequence, and the relationship between burden distribution and blasting effect was investigated. This study indicates that using the new design principle achieves better blasting results than the model with an evenly distributed burden. When the control ratio of the minimum burden at the bottom of each row of easer holes is 1.3, an average residual hole depth of 36.7 cm and a maximum damage volume of 4.638 m³ can be achieved, yielding the best overall blasting effect. The application of this blasting scheme in the field significantly improved the residual hole problem, reducing the average residual hole depth to 39.5 cm, which is a 43.4% reduction compared to the previous scheme. Additionally, the utilization rate of blast holes in the new scheme increased to 91.3%, an improvement of 11.0% over the previous scheme. This study provides new insights and methods for tunnel blasting hole layout design, offering significant engineering application value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Application of Process in Deep Mining Engineering and Petroleum Engineering)

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13 pages, 4660 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Rock Mass Energy Characteristics and Induced Disasters Considering the Blasting Superposition Effect

by Lu Chen, Xiaocong Yang, Lijie Guo and Shibo Yu

Processes 2024, 12(6), 1089; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12061089 - 26 May 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 866

Abstract

Upon reaching deeper levels of extraction, dynamic hazards such as rockburst become more pronounced, with the high energy storage characteristics of rock masses in high-stress environments being the fundamental factor behind rockburst disasters. Additionally, deep-seated mineral extraction commonly involves drilling and blasting methods, where the vibrational energy generated by mining explosions combines with the elastic energy of rock masses, leading to a sudden growth in the risk and intensity of rockburst disasters. This paper, with deep mining at Sanshandao Gold Mine as the focal point, systematically investigates the impact of blasting vibrations on rockburst disasters in deep mines. Initially, based on extensive data on measured geostress considering the tri-arch cross-section form of deep tunnels, the elastic energy storage of the surrounding rocks in deep tunnels was calculated. The results indicate that the maximum energy storage of the surrounding rocks occurs at the bottom of the tunnel, with the peak accumulation position located at a distance of five times the tunnel radius. On this basis, the Map3D numerical simulation analysis was adopted to systematically capture the accumulation behavior and distribution characteristics of disturbance energy. Subsequently, by conducting the dynamic impact experiments with an improved Split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) and monitoring vibration signals at various locations, the paper provides insights into the propagation patterns of impact energy in a long sample (400 mm in length and 50 mm in diameter). Analysis of the scattering behavior of vibrational energy reveals that the combined portion of blasting vibration energy constitutes 60% of the total vibrational energy. Finally, a rockburst disaster evaluation model based on energy accumulations was proposed to analyze the rockburst tendencies around deep tunnels. The results indicated that the disaster-driven energy increased by 19.9% and 12.2% at different places on the roadway. Also, the probability and intensity of a rockburst would be raised. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Application of Process in Deep Mining Engineering and Petroleum Engineering)

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21 pages, 6038 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Study on the Fracturing of Deep Rock Masses by Blasting Based on the Material Point Method

by Hu Xiao, Meng Wang, Weiting Gao, Ming Zou, Yuntao Wang and Jinshan Sun

Processes 2024, 12(6), 1048; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12061048 - 21 May 2024

Viewed by 913

Abstract

Blasting is a prevalent technique in deep rock excavation, with the state of rock fragmentation under high in-situ stress conditions being distinct from that under low in-situ stress conditions. A new material point method framework utilizing the generalized interpolated material point and convective particle domain interpolation functions was implemented to simulate the single-hole blasting process, analyze the stress distribution around the blasting hole, and elucidate the mechanism of how ground stress influences the expansion of blasting cracks through the interaction with the blasting load. In addition, the dynamic relaxation method realizes the stress’s initialization. It was concluded that the in-situ stress can increase the compressive stress induced by blasting load, whereas it decreases the caused tensile stress. With the increase in the ground stress, the scale of the cracks decreases. Under the non-isobaric condition, the blast-induced cracks preferentially expand along the high stress with the increase in the stress difference between the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and the blast-induced cracks are suppressed to the greatest extent in the direction of the minimum ground stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Application of Process in Deep Mining Engineering and Petroleum Engineering)

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17 pages, 16615 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Mining Sequence of Branch on Stope Pressure Behaviour on Continuous Mining and Continuous Backfilling

by Hai Lin, Yang Yang, Cheng Chen and Chenxi Ding

Processes 2024, 12(3), 442; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12030442 - 22 Feb 2024

Viewed by 835

Abstract

Instability in coal pillars and filling bodies is a common occurrence during the mining process of continuous mining and continuous backfilling (CMCB). In view of this, combining numerical simulation, similarity simulation, and on-site testing approaches, backfill mining models were established in Flac3d5.01 software, similarity model test bench, and “two-stage”, “three-stage”, and “four-stage” mining sequences were conducted; the stress characteristics of coal pillar-filling body and the displacement evolution law of surrounding rock have been compared under three typical mining sequences. The results show that compared to two-stage mining sequence, three-stage and four-stage mining sequences provide sufficient time for the solidification of the filling body. The coal pillar exhibits better stability in the early stage of mining, but the stress concentration phenomenon is more significant in the later stage of mining. The stress concentration coefficient is the highest when the width of the coal pillar is 10 m. The integrity of the overburden is intact in different mining sequences, with only a small amount of separation and longitudinal cracks. Increasing the number of mining stages significantly reduces the roof subsidence, with the maximum roof subsidence in the three- and four-stage mining sequences being only 62.0% and 33.9% of that in the two-stage mining sequence. “Two stages”, “three stages”, and “four stages” of mining sequences are implemented in response to the requirements of weak and thick coal seam mining in Haoyuan Coal Mine and gangue disposal in Chahasu Coal Mine. Good engineering applications are achieved, enabling the realisation of safe, green, and efficient coal mining. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Application of Process in Deep Mining Engineering and Petroleum Engineering)

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15 pages, 7391 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seepage Simulation of Conglomerate Reservoir Based on Digital Core: A Case Study of the Baikouquan Formation in Mahu Sag, Junggar Basin

by Daiyan Zhang, Haisheng Hu, Yan Dong, Yingwei Wang, Dunqing Liu, Hongxian Liu and Meng Du

Processes 2023, 11(11), 3185; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11113185 - 8 Nov 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 971

Abstract

Pore structure and flow characteristics are key factors affecting oil recovery rates in heterogeneous tight conglomerate reservoirs. Using micron computed tomography (CT) and modular automated processing system (MAPS) techniques, the pore structure of downhole core samples taken from Mahu’s tight conglomerate reservoirs was analyzed in detail, and a two-scale digital core pore network model with both a wide field of view and high resolution was constructed based on these pore structure data; the digital pore model was corrected according to the mercury intrusion pore size distribution date. Finally, we simulated flow characteristics within the digital model and compared the calculated permeability with the indoor permeability test date to verify the dependability of the pore network. The results indicated that the pore–throat of the conglomerate reservoir in Mahu was widely distributed and exhibited significant bimodal characteristics, with main throat channels ranging from 0.5 to 4 μm. The pore structure showed pronounced microscopic heterogeneity and intricate modalities, mainly consisting of dissolved pores, intergranular pores, and microfractures. These pores were primarily strip-like, isolated, and played a more crucial role in enhancing pore connectivity rather than contributing to the overall porosity. The matrix pores depicted by the MAPS were relatively smaller in size and more abundant in number, with no individual pore type forming a functional seepage channel. The permeability parameters obtained from the two-scale coarse-fine coupled pore network aligned with the laboratory experimental results, displaying an average coordination number of two. Flow simulation results indicated that the core’s microscopic pore structure affected the shape of the displacement leading edge, resulting in a tongue-in phenomenon during oil–water flow. The dominant flow channel was mainly dominated by water, while tongue-in and by-pass flow were the primary microscopic seepage mechanisms hindering oil recovery. These findings lay a foundation for characterizing and analyzing pore structure as well as investigating flow mechanisms in conglomerate reservoirs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Application of Process in Deep Mining Engineering and Petroleum Engineering)

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16 pages, 5990 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fracture Process and Failure Characteristics of Sandstone with Different Height-to-Diameter Ratios

by Chengliang Zhang, Mingjian Li, Xiang Yan, Tao Deng and Jinrui Zhang

Processes 2023, 11(11), 3069; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11113069 - 26 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1011

Abstract

The mechanical properties of rock materials significantly depend on their size due to their heterogeneity and the spatial randomness of joint development—a factor often neglected in pillar design and stability analyses within mining engineering. The rock samples examined herein were 100 mm in diameter and 100 mm, 200 mm, or 300 mm in height. This research analyzed the respective mechanical phenomena and failure patterns of rock specimens with varying height-to-diameter ratios under uniaxial compression. The experiment showed that the greater the height-to-diameter ratio, the smaller the elastic modulus and compressive strength. Remarkably, as the height-to-diameter ratio grew, the failure forms of the samples transitioned from splitting to shearing, while their peak strength gradually diminished. Specifically, a hike from 1:1 to 3:1 in the height-to-diameter ratio led to a roughly 20% decrease in peak strength. Utilizing the real rock fracture process analysis system (RFPA3D), the fracture processes and failure characteristics of rock specimens with dissimilar aspect ratios were comparatively explored from a microscopic viewpoint, with acoustic emissions revealing the entire process from crack initialization to penetration. The failure analysis affirmed that the simulation results corresponded closely with the experimental findings. The resultant research can offer theoretical support for the multiscale mechanical properties, fracture processes, and prediction of rock failure in mining engineering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Application of Process in Deep Mining Engineering and Petroleum Engineering)

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16 pages, 6610 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of the Drawing Process of Low–Middle-Thickness Top Coal Based on a Simulation

by Aijun Guo, Qunlei Zhang, Qingxuan Bai, Hao Sun, Ruifu Yuan, Chun Feng, Shuang Wang and Bin Li

Processes 2023, 11(11), 3048; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11113048 - 24 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 958

Abstract

Based on a theoretical analysis and simulation, the automated drawing characteristics for low–middle-thickness top coal are investigated, and the drawing process of top coal is optimized. For top coal with a 3 m thickness, a comparison is made between traditional and automated drawing process of top coal, which is used to highlight the superiority of automated drawing process. Then, for the automated top coal drawing, the effects of the round number on the drawing results of the entire working face are investigated, and the advantages and disadvantages of the multi-round drawing process are compared. Finally, the coal drawing results combined with automated and traditional methods are discussed, and an ideal optimized coal drawing process is proposed. The research results indicate that, for top coal with a 3 m thickness, the recovery rate of top coal by automated one-round drawing is slightly higher than that of traditional drawing, the drawing amount and drawing time of various drawing openings are relatively uniform for automated drawing, while the traditional coal drawing process shows fluctuating characteristics. For automated multi-round drawing, the top coal recovery rate decreases with an increase in the round number; however, the rock mixed rate in the drawn top coal is lower, and the drawing results at various drawing openings become more uniform. The combined automated–traditional drawing can achieve layered drawing of the top coal, avoid gangue drawing, and maintain a relatively high recovery rate, which is the optimal drawing process for this research project. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Application of Process in Deep Mining Engineering and Petroleum Engineering)

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13 pages, 4152 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microparameters Calibration for Discrete Element Method Based on Gaussian Processes Response Surface Methodology

by Zhihao Jin, Weiche Chang, Yuan Li, Kezhong Wang, Dongjue Fan and Liang Zhao

Processes 2023, 11(10), 2944; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11102944 - 10 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1210

Abstract

Microparameter calibration is an important problem that must be solved in the discrete element method. The Gaussian process (GP) response surface methodology was proposed to calibrate the microparameters based on the Bayesian principle in machine-learning methods, which addresses the problems of uncertainty, blindness, and repeatability in microparameter calibration methods. Using the particle flow code (PFC) as an example, the effects of the microparameters on the macroparameters were evaluated using the control-variable method, and the range of the microparameters was determined based on the macroparameters. The uniform design (UD) method and numerical calculation were used to obtain training samples, and a GP response surface methodology suitable for multifactor, multilevel, and nonlinear processes was used to establish the response surface relationships for macro–micro parameters of rock-like materials in discrete element method. According to the macroparameters obtained from the uniaxial experiments conducted on rock specimens, the microparameters were calibrated using the GP response surfaces. Numerical calculations of uniaxial compression and Brazilian splitting were performed using microparameters, and the results were compared with laboratory experiments for verification. The results showed that the relative errors of the GP response surface and laboratory test values were 5.3% for the modulus of elasticity, −7.8% for compressive strength, and −2.6% for tensile strength. The nonlinear GP response surface considered the characteristics of multiple interacting factors, and the established nonlinear response surface relationship between the microparameters and macroparameters can be used for the calibration of microparameters. The accuracy of the microparameters was verified according to the stress–strain curve and failure morphology of the rock specimens. The method of using the GP response surface to establish the macro–micro parameter relationship in the discrete element method can also be extended to other numerical simulation methods and can provide a basis for accurately analysing the microdamage mechanism of rock materials under complex loading conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Application of Process in Deep Mining Engineering and Petroleum Engineering)

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14 pages, 9184 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Influence of the Joint Angle between Blast Holes on Explosion Crack Propagation and Stress Variation

by Xiangyang Wang, Xiantang Zhang, Jingshuang Zhang, Hongmin Zhou, Peng Zhang and Dan Li

Processes 2023, 11(9), 2805; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11092805 - 21 Sep 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1237

Abstract

The joints and fissures in a natural rock mass can affect the mechanical properties of the rock mass, the propagation of a blasting stress wave, and the blasting effect of the smooth surface of roadways. In the process of roadway drilling and blasting, there will inevitably be some joints between the two blast holes. Taking the joint angle as the starting point, this paper studies the rule of rock explosion crack propagation and stress variation when there are joints with different angles between two blast holes and analyzes the influence of joints on rock mechanical properties and blasting effects. The numerical simulation method and the software ANSYS/LS-DYNA are used to establish 7 rock mass models with various joint angles. When there is no joint between two holes and joints of 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90°, the propagation of explosive cracks and stress variations in the rock mass are discussed. The results show that the joints at different angles have obvious guiding and blocking effects on the propagation of explosive cracks, and as joint angles increase, the guiding effect becomes more apparent and the blocking effect becomes weaker. The effective stress of the rock mass will vary depending on the angles of the joints between the hole and the joint. As the joint angle increases, the joint’s influence on the reflection and superposition of stress waves gradually weakens, and the peak value of the effective stress of the rock mass gradually decreases. The peak effective stress of the rock mass on the blasting side of the joint is similarly impacted by the superposition of stress waves, and the extreme value may be seen at the critical node of each change curve. The explosive crack will break through at the critical location because the maximal effective stress of the rock mass is distributed in a “W” form on the blasting side of the joint. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Application of Process in Deep Mining Engineering and Petroleum Engineering)

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17 pages, 5653 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Structure Characteristics of Underground Reservoir Water Storage Space in Coal Mines Considering Shape Characteristics of Crushed Rock

by Xuan Qin, Zhiguo Cao, Lichang Wei, Peng Li and Hao Sun

Processes 2023, 11(9), 2611; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11092611 - 1 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 909

Abstract

In order to investigate the impact of a crushed rock shape on the storage coefficient of underground reservoirs in coal mines, statistical analysis of the shape characteristics of crushed rocks was conducted, which was followed by numerical packing tests using the rigid block model. These tests aimed to investigate the spatial structure characteristics of underground reservoir water storage space in coal mines under the influence of different shapes of crushed rock. The results demonstrated the following: (1) Crushed rock exhibits a lognormal distribution in its shape characteristic parameters at different scales with a predominant discoid shape. The shape coefficient M can be utilized as a comprehensive indicator to characterize the shape characteristics of crushed rock. (2) The average storage coefficient of crushed rock increases exponentially as the shape coefficient M increases. There is a 50.1% increase in the storage coefficient from M = 1 to 3.5. (3) The spatial structure of the water storage space exhibits self-similarity, and both the void fractal dimension and the void boundary fractal dimension increase with an increase in the shape coefficient M. (4) When comparing the non-spherical particle system with the spherical particle system, it is observed that the spherical particle system has smaller water storage space, lower connectivity among voids, and more irregular void space. In the non-spherical particle system, the water storage space becomes larger as the shape of crushed rock becomes more irregular, resulting in more irregular void space. However, there is no significant effect on void connectivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Application of Process in Deep Mining Engineering and Petroleum Engineering)

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