Prediction of Gas Pressure in Thin Coal Seams in the Qinglong Coal Mine in Guizhou Province, China

Thin coal seams in mines lack gas data; thus, gas outbursts of thin coal seams are difficult to prevent and control. In this study, a coal structure index, which is used to express the damage degree of coal, was estimated by logging curve. In accordance with the contour line of the floor of the coal seam, structural curvature was calculated to quantitatively express the complexity of the coal seam structure. Then, the relationships among the burial depth, thickness, coal structure index, structural curvature, with gas pressure of coal seam were analyzed. The gas pressure of coal seam of Nos. 22, 24, and 27 in the study area was predicted by multiple linear regression (MLR) and then was verified and analyzed. The deviation rate of the MLR method was 6.5%–19.7%, with an average of 13.0%. The average deviation rate between the predicted value and the measured value was 11.6%, except for measuring point of No. 2, which had a large deviation. Results show that the prediction accuracy of the above method is acceptable, and it has practical value in the prediction of gas pressure in thin coal seams without measured data. Results of the gas pressure prediction provide a basis for evaluating the risk of gas outbursts in thin coal seams.