Experimental study of precursory features of CO2 blasting-induced coal rock fracture based on grayscale and texture analysis

CO2 blasting has been identified as a potent method for enhancing the permeability of coal seams and improving gas drainage efficiency. This study is focused on elucidating the deformation and fracture mechanisms of coal and rock during CO2 blasting and on identifying the precursor characteristics of these processes. To this end, a CO2 blasting-induced coal rock fracture pressure model and a gas pressure distribution model were developed. The research utilized a self-developed CO2 blasting test platform along with a non-contact full-strain field measurement analysis system. Briquette samples were subjected to CO2 blasting tests under controlled experimental conditions, which included an axial pressure of 1.0 MPa and variable gas pressures of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 MPa. This methodology enabled the capture of the principal strain field on the surface of the samples. The Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) was employed to extract and analyze the grayscale and texture features of the strain cloud maps, facilitating a quantitative assessment of their evolution. The aim was to pinpoint the precursor characteristics associated with coal rock cracking and crack propagation. The results revealed that: (1) During the cracking and subsequent propagation of samples, the strain field's grayscale histogram underwent a transformation from a "broad and low" to a "narrow and high" configuration, with a consistent increase in peak frequency. Specifically, at 3 ms, a primary crack was observed in the sample, evidenced by a grayscale peak frequency of 0.0846. By 9 ms, as the crack propagated, the grayscale peak frequency escalated to 0.1626. (2) The texture feature parameters experienced their initial abrupt change at 3ms. Correlation with the gas pressure distribution model indicated that this was the crack initiation moment in the sample. (3) A secondary abrupt shift in the texture feature parameters occurred at 9ms, in conjunction with experimental phenomena, was identified as the crack propagation phase. Monitoring the grayscale and texture features of the principal strain field on the coal rock surface proved effective in recognizing the precursor characteristics of crack initiation and propagation. This research has the potential to reduce blasting costs in coal mines, optimize blasting effects, and provided theoretical guidance for enhancing gas extraction efficiency from deep and low permeability coal seams.