Stress Relief Effects of Roof‐Cutting at the Junction Zone Between Gob‐Side Entry and Stope Within Extra‐Thick Coal Seams

ABSTRACT Severe deformation and failure of surrounding rock and support systems in gob‐side entries are particularly pronounced at junction zone between gob‐side entry and stope (JZGS), critically constraining safe and efficient mining operations. This study, conducted at the Panel N8102 of Yongdingzhuang Mine with extra‐thick coal seam, employs an integrated methodology combining on‐site measurement, numerical simulations and field tests to reveal that the superposition of advanced and lateral abutment stresses fundamentally governs intense ground pressure manifestations in JZGS. The overhanging scope of the triangular prism‐shaped strata structure above the gob‐side entry and mining stope exerts significant impacts on surrounding rock stability in the JZGS. Implementation of roof‐cutting techniques can effectively decrease the loading from suspended strata and lateral abutment stress, thereby reducing the mining pressure in the JZGS. Field validation through hydraulic roof‐cutting trials confirms the numerical frameworks, achieving significant reduction in surrounding rock deformation (39.4% mitigation) of the JZGS during panel extraction while ensuring operational safety.