This open access book provides a comprehensive overview of the author’s in-depth insights into the theory, prediction methods, and developmental trends of creep instability and failure in coal-rock masses within mining stopes. The content primarily covers topics such as creep instability of coal-rock masses in stopes, creep instability of surrounding rock in roadways, large-scale roof creep instability, creep instability of overlying strata in goaf, rockburst, gas outburst, and principles and prediction of roof creep instability in fully mechanized mining faces. Additionally, it explores theoretical advancements in analyzing the energy principles of coal-rock masses and acoustic wave monitoring of coal-rock systems. This book serves as a valuable reference for professionals and researchers in mining engineering, mine construction, underground space engineering, and geotechnical engineering, as well as for faculty and students in related fields.
Zhijie Wen received his Ph.D. from Shandong University of Science and Technology in 2011. He is currently a full professor of Mining Engineering and serves as the Associate Dean of the School of Mining at Guizhou University. He has conducted postdoctoral research at Aalto University in Finland and Shandong University. His primary focus is on mining dynamics and surrounding rock control. He is a Changjiang Young Scholar of the Ministry of Education and has led several major research projects, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Shandong Excellent Young Scientists Fund, 973 Program sub-projects, and international cooperation projects. He has published over 60 research papers indexed by SCI and EI, authored three academic monographs, and received many awards including one First Prize (as the lead contributor) and four Second Prizes (three as a co-contributor, one as the lead contributor) at the provincial and ministerial levels. Additionally, he holds 11 national invention patents as the first inventor.
Jian Tao received his Ph.D. from Sichuan University in 2023. He is a Distinguished Professor at the School of Mining at Guizhou University. His research focuses on deep rock mechanics and underground engineering disaster control. Over the past five years, he has led projects including the Youth and Regional Programs funded by the National Natural Science Foundation, the Guizhou Provincial Department of Science and Technology Youth Guidance Project, and university curriculum reform initiatives. He has published over 10 academic papers, including six SCI papers as the first or corresponding author.
Zhenqi Song graduated in July 1957 from the Department of Mining Engineering, specializing in Underground Mining, at China University of Mining and Technology. He currently serves as the Honorary Dean of the College of Mining and Safety Engineering at Shandong University of Science and Technology. Renowned as the pioneer and founder of China’s "Practical Mine Pressure and Strata Control" theory, he was elected as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1991. His research achievements have been recognized with awards such as the National Science and Technology Progress Second Prize, the First Prize for Science and Technology Progress from the Ministry of Coal Industry, and commendations from national key research initiatives. He has been honored with titles such as "National Coal Industry Model Worker," "National Expert with Outstanding Contributions," and the "National May 1st Labor Medal".
Yujun Zuo received his Ph.D. from Central South University in 2005 and currently serves as the Dean of the School of Mining at Guizhou University. His research focuses on the mechanisms and control of geotechnical engineering disasters. He has led projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the "12th Five-Year Plan" National Science and Technology Support Program, and the Guizhou Provincial Science and Technology Support Plan.
