Factors Influencing the Stability of a Slope Containing a Coal Seam in a Goaf

Our aim in this study was to analyze the major and minor factors affecting the stability of a slope containing a coal seam in a goaf. Based on engineering experience, we first identified nine factors that may affect slope stability, of which we determined eight that may substantially affect slope stability through a single-factor numerical simulation analysis. Then, we arranged 27 groups of numerical simulation tests with eight factors and three levels with the orthogonal test method, and we determined the ranking of the major and minor influencing factors through a range of variance analyses. The results showed that the influence of each factor was ranked as the roadway width > coal seam position > slope gradient > coal seam thickness > coal seam internal friction angle > coal seam cohesion > coal seam dip angle. Among these, the roadway width, coal seam position, and slope gradient were the major factors affecting slope stability; coal seam thickness, coal seam internal friction angle, coal seam cohesion, and coal seam dip angle were the minor factors. In this study, we combined the goaf and slope containing the coal seam, and we couple analyzed the factors influencing the stability of the slope containing the coal seam in the goaf. Our findings provide a scientific basis for the treatment and protection of slopes containing coal seams in goafs in the future and have a practical engineering importance for the analysis of the excavation stability of road-cutting slopes in goafs.