Risk mitigation for rockfall hazards in steeply dipping coal seam: a case study in Xinjiang, northwestern China

Many recent examples have shown that rockfalls can occur in underground steep coal mines. The stratigraphic circumstances, block formation mechanism, and cumulative damage effects of the longwalls a steeply dipping seam (SDCS) make them detrimental to workplace safety. Therefore, this study examined an approach for mitigating rockfall hazards SDCSs. A passive mesh system was installed prevent propagation rockfalls, which decreased number collisions between falling rocks mining equipment. interactions were studied using series full-scale numerical impact tests. following conclusions could be drawn. displacement increased with kinetic energy, showing characteristic strain hardening. peak stress appeared near contact area mesh, it spread edge X-shaped pattern. Stress concentrations likely areas direct edges. when incidence angle increased, cells entering plastic state significantly. internal energy ratio increase angle, indicating greater led larger amount being transferred from into mesh. Finally, method verified by comparing test on-site damaged high replacement frequency annual fatality rate SDCS significantly improved. This provided design drapery disaster prevention, particularly mitigation hazard risks