H. Wang’s research while affiliated with Xi'an University of Science and Technology and other places

In view of the non-definiteness of critical zone and variation of rock structure within the stope during the process of mining steeply dipping seam, with a hybrid methodology including the plane and three-dimensional physical simulation, numerical simulation, and theory analysis, this paper investigated the critical zone conversion and rock structure balance mechanism in different areas along the tendency of working face. The results show that under action of stress and caving arch the critical zone would shift towards immediate roof and structure balance was direct caving mode at lower zone of the stope, the critical zone lie in lower part of main roof and structure balance was one rotary caving mode at middle area of the stope, and the critical zone would transmit to upper part of main roof and structure balance was secondary rotary caving mode at top area of the stope. The partition feature of structure balance led to the timing and unbalanced roof weighting in working face. © 2016, Editorial Office of Journal of Liaoning Technical University. All right reserved.