biostudies-literatureZhu XNational Major Science and Technology Projects of ChinaNational Science and Technology Planning Projecte0328477https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12700402biostudies-literatureUnknown20(12)This study investigates the hydro-pressure effects and degradation mechanisms of coal under mine water immersion using a self-developed pressurized water soaking system. Uniaxial compression tests were conducted on water-saturated coal samples to analyze their mechanical behavior under varying water pressures. The results demonstrate that both the strength and elastic modulus of coal samples decrease with increasing immersion pressure. During loading, multiple deformation localization zones develop, and the elastic energy stored in the load-bearing structure diminishes as water pressure rises, reducing its energy storage capacity. Therefore, in the process of plastic deformation, the externally applied energy contributes more to the macroscopic and microscopic damage. When the material is PloS oneWater pressure effect and influence mechanism of coal mechanical property degradation under mine water immersion conditions.PMC127004022023LQ010052024ZD1406000Tan JLiang ZZhang HZhu XWang YfalseWater pressure effect and influence mechanism of coal mechanical property degradation under mine water immersion conditions.This study investigates the hydro-pressure effects and degradation mechanisms of coal under mine water immersion using a self-developed pressurized water soaking system. Uniaxial compression tests were conducted on water-saturated coal samples to analyze their mechanical behavior under varying water pressures. The results demonstrate that both the strength and elastic modulus of coal samples decrease with increasing immersion pressure. During loading, multiple deformation localization zones develop, and the elastic energy stored in the load-bearing structure diminishes as water pressure rises, reducing its energy storage capacity. Therefore, in the process of plastic deformation, the externally applied energy contributes more to the macroscopic and microscopic damage. When the material is 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z20252026-05-26T14:07:11.667Z2026-05-24T03:12:24.264ZS-EPMC127004024138558310.1371/journal.pone.0328477