A brief analysis of behaviour possibility of a jointed rock mass near to longwall excavation face simulation using Distinct Elements Method (DEM) in the context of the Beam on Elastic Foundation (BEF) theory

Rock masses are discontinuous medium. Using the program based on the Distinct Element Method (DEM) UDEC (Universal Distinct Element Code) a 2D model of the rock mass near the longwall face was built. The UDEC code, due to its properties, is particularly suitable for modelling discontinuous and jointed rock masses. The coal bed lying at a depth of 700m had a thickness of 3m and was mined by longwall system with caving. The total face advance was 415m. The model had dimensions of 1500×500m (w×h). A vertical stress of σ_z=7.2MPa was applied to the upper edge of the model. The mechanized support protected the roof for a length of 4m at a distance of 2m from the face of the longwall. During simulation, among others, vertical displacements of roof and vertical stresses were closely examined. There were observed phenomena of bending, cracking, loosening and falling of roof blocks of rock. The results of numerical simulations were compared with the results of analytical solutions. The calculations were based on the solutions of the elastic foundation beam theory and the stress wave theory. Comparable shapes of arch pressure σ_zmax and the range of its impact were obtained.