Multi-method joint monitoring study on strata behavior in shallow seam mining under bedrock gully

Abstract The Baijigou Coal Mine in Helan mountain mining area is alpine gully landform, and the double key stratums are cut by the gully. A two-dimensional physical similarity model under this condition was established in the laboratory. The strain field, deformation field and pressure field of the model are jointly and accurately monitored by BOTDA, DIC and pressure sensors. The rock behavior in shallow coal seam mining under bedrock gullies are studied. In the mining stage under the gully, the deformation of overburden is intense because overburden is thin, and the surface is easy to form a depression basin. In the mining stage far away from the gully, the deformed rock mass lacks horizontal support in the process of deflecting to the lower goaf, and the movement rock is in a multilateral block. The multilateral block rock periodically deflects and rotates, resulting in the periodic deformation and break of the inferior key stratum. At the mining stage of away from the gully, nine times of roof weighting occurred. And there are large and small periodic weighting phenomenon with the average roof pressure concentration coefficient is 1.37. The distance between the peak point of advance abutment pressure and the coal wall is 6–18 cm, and the influence distance decreases with the advancing of the working face. The inferior key stratum has a significant impact on the weighting process and the weighting strength. In the mining stage under the mountaintop, large downward inclined tension crack is prone to produce in the slope on the side of the stope line, and the roof weighting is the most severe. In the mining stage close to the gully, the overburden falls in layers from bottom to top, and the overburden at the slope toe is prone to slip. At the mining stage under the mountaintop and close to the gully, five times of roof weighting occurred. And the roof weighting concentration coefficient is 1.46 on average. The distance between the peak point of advance abutment pressure and the coal wall is always kept at 6–16 cm, and the influence distance is 33–41 cm. The study can provide a reference for mining design and ensures safe and efficient mining in this condition.