Bedding Effect of the Mechanical Properties of Coal Based on Nanoindentation Test

Zhang Chaopeng; Chen Lichao; Ma Daibing; Li Shibing; Liu Jingdan

doi:10.20174/j.JUSE.2026.02.20

Chinese Journal of Underground Space and Engineering >

2026 , Vol. 22 >Issue 2: 583 - 591

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20174/j.JUSE.2026.02.20

Bedding Effect of the Mechanical Properties of Coal Based on Nanoindentation Test

Zhang Chaopeng ,
Chen Lichao ,
Ma Daibing ,
Li Shibing ,
Liu Jingdan

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1. School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, Hohhot 010051, P.R. China;
2. National Key Laboratory of Coal and Coalbed Methane Mining, Jincheng, Shanxi 048012, P.R. China;
3. Team 149th, Gansu Coalfield Geology Bureau, Lanzhou 730020, P.R. China;
4. Gansu Coalbed Coal and Coalbed Methane Development Technology Co., Ltd., Lanzhou 730080, P.R. China

Received date: 2025-05-08

Online published: 2026-04-28

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Abstract

To explore the influence of coal and rock bedding plane effects on mechanical properties, the micro-mechanical properties of coal and rock with different bedding directions are studied based on nanoindentation tests. By plotting the load-displacement curves of each group of samples, the micro-mechanical parameters of coal and rock with different bedding orientations are obtained and the failure modes of coal and rock are analyzed. Furthermore, the propagation laws of hydraulic fracturing fractures in coal and rock are discussed. The research shows that the microstructure of coal and rock is dense, the bedding structure is clear, and the bedding planes are filled with hard minerals such as quartz, accompanied by a certain amount of natural micro-cracks and developed self-generated pores. Through nanoindentation tests, it is found that the coal and rock samples have obvious anisotropy. The elastic modulus of coal and rock perpendicular to the bedding plane, parallel to the bedding plane, and at an oblique angle to the bedding plane are 5.02 GPa, 4.58 GPa, and 4.92 GPa, respectively, and the hardness is 0.38 GPa, 0.35 GPa, and 0.37 GPa, respectively. The elastic modulus and hardness of coal and rock are consistent with their macroscopic mechanical laws. In terms of the energy dissipation characteristics of failure in different directions, the coal and rock perpendicular to the bedding plane require the largest fracture energy, while the coal and rock parallel to the bedding plane have the smallest fracture energy dissipation. In addition, the fracture toughness is 0.25, 0.22, and 0.23 MPa·m^0.5, respectively. The brittleness coefficient of coal and rock varies with the differences in failure forms in different directions. Based on the nanoindentation test data, the propagation characteristics of fractures under different bedding directions are revealed. Fractures in the direction perpendicular to the bedding plane extend along natural fissures, fractures parallel to the bedding plane mainly develop along the weak bedding plane, and fractures at an oblique angle to the bedding plane are more prone to branching during the deep extension process. The research results provide scientific data support for the engineering application of coal and rock, offer important references for engineering design, construction, monitoring and optimization, and have the potential to improve the safety and economy of engineering, contributing to sustainable development.

Key words： nanoindentation; coal mechanics; bedding; anisotropy; fracture extension; Yaojie mining area

Cite this article

Zhang Chaopeng , Chen Lichao , Ma Daibing , Li Shibing , Liu Jingdan . Bedding Effect of the Mechanical Properties of Coal Based on Nanoindentation Test[J]. Chinese Journal of Underground Space and Engineering, 2026 , 22(2) : 583 -591 . DOI: 10.20174/j.JUSE.2026.02.20

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