Expansionary Evolution Characteristics of Plastic Zone in Rock and Coal Mass Ahead of Excavation Face and the Mechanism of Coal and Gas Outburst

Factors leading to coal and gas outbursts are complicated, and the accuracy of predicting outbursts remains difficult to achieve. Therefore, coal and gas outburst risk are still a scientific challenge in the fields of mining, geology, safe engineering, and rock mechanics. Theories explaining and predicting coal and gas outbursts associated with restored strain and gas energy are hot topics. Based on numerical modelling, the evolution of a plastic zone ahead of an excavation face with change of direction and magnitude of regional pre-mining stress field were analyzed. A mechanical analysis model for the expansionary evolution process of the plastic zone ahead of the excavation face was constructed, and the expansionary evolution characteristics of plastic zone ahead of the excavation face were analyzed. The physical and mechanical process and basic conditions for the initiation and development of coal and gas outbursts induced by evolution of plastic zone were discussed. The research provides some new insights into the mechanism, prediction, and prevention of goal and gas outbursts.