Authors: I.S. Elkin, P.A. Danilov

Title of the article: Influence of humidity on mechanical properties and the energy of coal destruction

Year: 2026, Issue: 4, Pages: 126-134

Branch of knowledge: 2.8.3 Mining and oil and gas geology, geophysics, mine surveying and subsurface geometry

Index UDK: 622.831:620.192.7

DOI: 10.26730/1999-4125-2026-4-126-134

Abstract: Attention is paid to tribological phenomena in the coal massif, and a review of studies and bibliographies on the problem of internal friction in the coal massif is given. The results of model calculations are presented. Attention is paid to the influence of geomechanical processes in the coal massif on the state of the environmental situation during mining operations. The above model calculations show a decrease in the energy required to destroy coal by half with an increase in its humidity, as well as the effect of porosity and fracturing on the manifestation of internal friction in the massif. These factors are considered as the main ones that affect the stability of the sides of mining during underground mining of coal seams, as well as the control of the stressed geomechanical state of the coal massif in the marginal part during blowout measures, humidification of coal seams, degassing, which causes the redistribution of accumulated energy in the massif during shifts, collapses and deformations of rocks, part of this energy is spent on heat generation, and part of it is spent on the formation of new crack surfaces. Friction in the thickness of a coal massif is determined by the combination of physical and mechanical properties and geomechanical characteristics of coal, as well as the conditions of its occurrence. The most significant factors influencing shear resistance are local stresses related to the conditions of the formation and fracture mechanisms, as well as the grade of coal, the degree of metamorphism, the depth of the formation and related stresses, as well as porosity, fracturing and moisture level of coal.

Key words: coal humidity internal friction fracture energy tribology degree of metamorphism fracturing

Receiving date: 09.02.2026

Approval date: 01.09.2026

Publication date: 10.09.2026

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