Open Access

ARTICLE

A Fluid-Structure Interaction Simulation of Coal and Gas Outbursts Based on the Interaction between the Gas Pressure and Deformation of a Coal-Rock Mass

by Lin Fang^1,2,*, Mengjun Wu^1,2, Bin Wu³, Honglin Li⁴, Chenhao He^5,*, Fan Sun⁵

1 Merchants Chongqing Communications Research & Design Institute Co., Ltd., Chongqing, 400067, China
2 National Engineering Laboratory for Highway Tunnel Construction Technology, Chongqing, 400067, China
3 Sichuan Ya Kang Expressway Co., Ltd., Ya’an, 625000, China
4 China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group 3rd Engineering Co., Shenyang, 110043, China
5 School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China

* Corresponding Authors: Lin Fang. Email: ; Chenhao He. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Computer Modelling in Disaster Prevention and Mitigation for Engineering Structures)

Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences 2022, 130(3), 1649-1668. https://doi.org/10.32604/cmes.2022.018527

Received 31 July 2021; Accepted 10 September 2021; Issue published 30 December 2021

Abstract

Based on the theories of the gas seepage in coal seams and the deformation of the coal-rock medium, the gas seepage field in coal-rock mass is coupled with the deformation field of the coal-rock mass to establish a fluid-structure interaction model for the interaction between coal gas and coal-rock masses. The outburst process in coal-rock masses under the joint action of gas pressure and crustal stress is simulated using the material point method. The simulation results show the changes in gas pressure, velocity distribution, maximum principal stress distribution, and damage distribution during the process of the coal and gas outburst, as well as the movement and accumulation of coal-rock masses after the occurrence of the outburst. It was found that the gas pressure gradient was greatest at the working face after the occurrence of the outburst, the gas pressures and pressure gradients at each location within the coal seam gradually decreased with time, and the damage distribution was essentially the same as the minimum principal stress distribution. The simulation further revealed that the outburst first occurred in the middle of the tunnel excavation face and that the speed at which particles of coal mass were ejected was highest at the center and decreased toward the upper and lower sides. The study provides a scientific basis for enhancing our understanding of the mechanism behind coal and gas outbursts, as well as their prevention and control.

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