Characteristics of deformation and stress distribution of small coal pillars under leading abutment pressure

Abstract Based on the engineering project on a small coal pillar of 12,521 working face roadway in Xieqiao Coalmine, data regarding surface displacements of the coal pillar, deep displacements and mining stress have been collected and analyzed. The results show that macroscopic transverse fractures of the inner coal pillar are developed within 2–4 m of the roadway surface, which is located outside the coal pillar anchorage zone. There is a displacement of 530 mm at the monitoring point in the 6 m deep zone of the pillar. Transfer of the fracture zone is found in a small coal pillar and the fractures within 3–4 m of the coal-rock zone from the roadway surface undergo propagation and closure of cracks which means this fracture zone is transferred from 3–4 m outside the roadway to only 2–3 m from the roadway surface. In the monitoring zone, vertical and horizontal stresses increase with a feature that shows that acceleration in the deep zone of the pillar is greater than that in the shallow zone. Furthermore, the acceleration of vertical stress is also greater than that of horizontal stress with a peak value in the 4 m zone. The research findings provide a reference for the regulation of a reasonable width of coal pillar in coalmines and optimal control design of surrounding rock.