Zonal disintegration phenomenon in rock mass surrounding deep tunnels

Zonal disintegration is a typical static phenomenon of deep rock masses. It has been defined as alternating regions of fractured and relatively intact rock mass that appear around or in front of the working stope during excavation of a deep tunnel. Zonal disintegration phenomenon was successfully demonstrated in the laboratory with 3D tests on analogous gypsum models, two circular cracked zones were observed in the test. The linear Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion was used with a constitutive model that showed linear softening and ideal residual plastic to analyze the elasto-plastic field of the enclosing rock mass around a deep tunnel. The results show that tunneling causes a maximum stress zone to appear between an elastic and plastic zone in the surrounding rock. The zonal disintegration phenomenon is analyzed by considering the stress-strain state of the rock mass in the vicinity of the maximum stress zone. Creep instability failure of the rock due to the development of the plastic zone, and transfer of the maximum stress zone into the rock mass, are the cause of zonal disintegration. An analytical criterion for the critical depth at which zonal disintegration can occur is derived. This depth depends mainly on the character and stress concentration coefficient of the rock mass.

Active velocity tomography for assessing rock burst hazards in a kilometer deep mine

Active velocity tomography was used to determine the stress state and rock burst hazards in a deep coal mine. The deepest longwall face, number 3207 in the Xingcun colliery, was the location of the field trials. The positive correlation between stress and seismic velocity was used to link the velocity data with stratum stresses. A GeoPen SE2404NT data acquisition system was used to collect seismic data from 300 g explosive charges fired by instantaneous electric detonator and located in the tail entry. The geophones were installed on the rock bolts in the head entry of LW3207. Velocity inversion shows an inhomogeneous distribution of stress in the longvvall face that could not be obtained from theory or numerical simulations. Three abnormally high P-wave velocity regions were identified that were located on the corners of the two roadways and at the face end near the rail entry side. The maximum velocity gradient is located at the open cut off near the rail entry and is the area most dangerous for rock burst. Mining-induced tremors recorded by a micro-seismic monitoring system demonstrated that the position of energy release during mining coincides with the high velocity gradient area. This technology aids technicians in the coal mine as they design measures to weaken or eliminate potential danger during subsequent mining.