Fractal Characterization of Stress–Energy Response and Progressive Damage in Coal–Rock Mass Before and After Pre-Splitting Blasting of Hard Roof: From Laboratory Fragmentation to Field Fractures

Hard roof strata in deep coal mines commonly cause rib failure and roof collapse, restricting extraction efficiency. This study employs theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and field experiments to investigate the fractal evolution of damage in coal–rock mass under loading and blasting disturbances, with the aim of quantifying progressive failure and optimizing roof control. Key findings include: (1) The fractal dimension D of fragment size distribution increases monotonically with loading rate, with fine-particle proportion rising from 48.5% to 52.3%, indicating more thorough fragmentation at higher rates. (2) Load intensity, elastic modulus, and seam thickness govern coal bearing capacity and energy accumulation, with D serving as a quantitative damage indicator. (3) Pre-splitting blasting shifts the stress peak away from the working face, with shear fractures dominating the fracture network and tensile fractures playing a secondary role. (4) Field application at Zhangji Coal Mine (9 coal seam, 7–23.5 m sandstone roof) confirms the effectiveness of segmented fan-shaped borehole pre-splitting blasting in controlling roof behavior; fractal dimension derived from borehole images quantifies fracture propagation. Dynamic adjustment of blasting parameters based on geological core samples is recommended to enhance fracture network complexity and improve roof control efficiency under varying hard rock conditions.