Modeling Approaches to Permeability of Coal Based on a Variable-Order Fractional Derivative

In the past decades, many permeability models have been proposed to characterize the coal permeability evolution in the elastic state. Considering that the coal near the mining working face is often in the plastic or post-peak failure state, it is significant to characterize the coal permeability evolution in the plastic and post-peak failure stages for safe mining. In this study, two permeability models are developed using a variable-order fractional derivative to characterize the coal permeability evolution during the whole process of elastic, plastic, and post-peak failure stages. The results indicate that both models have the ability to better describe the coal permeability evolution during the whole process in areas near the mining working face. In addition, the physical and mechanical interpretation of the variable-order function is given as an indicator of fracture development, indicating the sensitivity of stress variation to coal fracture development. Moreover, the relationships among the effective stress, damage variable, and post-peak permeability of coal are discussed.