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

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 October 2024 | Viewed by 5422

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
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
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
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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Guest Editor
School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Interests: discrete element method; numerical simulation; rock mechanics; multi-field coupling

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Guest Editor
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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Guest Editor
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

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

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

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 16615 KiB  
Article
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 473
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, [...] Read more.
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
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15 pages, 7391 KiB  
Article
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 - 08 Nov 2023
Viewed by 613
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 [...] Read more.
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
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16 pages, 5990 KiB  
Article
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 698
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 [...] Read more.
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
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16 pages, 6610 KiB  
Article
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
Viewed by 655
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 [...] Read more.
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
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13 pages, 4152 KiB  
Article
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 807
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, [...] Read more.
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
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14 pages, 9184 KiB  
Article
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 1 | Viewed by 779
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, [...] Read more.
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
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17 pages, 5653 KiB  
Article
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 - 01 Sep 2023
Viewed by 556
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 [...] Read more.
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
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