{"paper_id":"136ee688-8f64-4254-ad08-8fadc2d269f4","body_text":"Instability characteristics and secondary fracturing and weakening mechanism of huge-thick overlying strata in shallow stope | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Instability characteristics and secondary fracturing and weakening mechanism of huge-thick overlying strata in shallow stope Zhang Xiaowu, Cao Yue, Lu Weiyong, Sun Yaohui, Shi Lei, Xu Zhijun, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9265125/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 8 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Huge-thick overlying strata(HTOS) is characterized by substantial thickness, high mechanical strength, excellent load-bearing capacity, and remarkable elastic energy storage potential. Its sudden collapse tends to induce rock bursts due to the abrupt release of accumulated elastic energy. This study analyzes the layered bearing characteristics of the HTOS and reveals secondary fracturing and weakening mechanism. The bearing strength of the HTOS decreases significantly with the increase of the hanging roof length and the number of layered strata. After the implementation of the secondary fracturing and weakening treatment, the HTOS is fragmented into small-sized rock blocks, and the \"three-zone\" structure of the overlying strata is clearly formed. Meanwhile, the total energy released by microseismic events is reduced by 36.98% compared with that before. The average periodic weighting interval is shortened from 35.24 m to 16.57 m, representing a reduction of 52.98%, and the peak weighting pressure is reduced from 8179.58 kN to 5618.49 kN, a decrease of 31.32%. The bearing strength of the HTOS has been effectively reduced, and the hazard of ground pressure impact has been significantly mitigated. Huge-thick overlying strata Rock pressure impact Hydraulic fracturing Strength weakening Energy release Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviewers agreed at journal 06 May, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 06 May, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 06 May, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 06 May, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 04 May, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 03 May, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 15 Apr, 2026 First submitted to journal 30 Mar, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {\"props\":{\"pageProps\":{\"initialData\":{\"identity\":\"rs-9265125\",\"acceptedTermsAndConditions\":true,\"allowDirectSubmit\":false,\"archivedVersions\":[],\"articleType\":\"Research Article\",\"associatedPublications\":[],\"authors\":[{\"id\":638210752,\"identity\":\"69b851c8-01f7-4767-a74b-2e5d2c64ddb6\",\"order_by\":0,\"name\":\"Zhang 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