Research progress of monitoring, forecasting, and prevention of rockburst in underground coal mining in China

As one of the dynamic disasters of coal mines,rockburst seriously affects underground safe coal mining.Based on the laboratory test,field test,and theoretical analysis,this study proposed the principle of the rock burst induced by the combination of dynamic and static stresses and divided such rock burst into three types,including induced by primary dynamic stress,mainly induced by dynamic stress,and by dynamic stress in low critical stress state.The expressions of the static stress induced by coal mining and dynamic stress induced by mining tremors were obtained.Moreover,theories and technologies at home and abroad were summarized concerning the monitoring,forecasting,and preventing of rockburst.These mainly include the zoning and leveling forecasting method,electromagnetic radiation technology,elastic wave and seismic wave computed tomography technologies in aspect of rockburst monitoring,as well as the intensity weakening theory,the strong-soft-strong structure effect,the directional hydraulic fracturing technology,the roadway support system in regards of rockburst prevention.The prospect of rockburst development suggested that researches concerning the rockburst mechanism should be quantitatively developed around the roadway and coalface surrounding coal-rock mass.It should be focused on the rockburst mechanism and prevention technology of mining with over 1,000 km deep and mining in large tectonic zone.In addition,the monitoring and prevention of rockburst should be based on rockburst mechanism.

Comprehensive early warning of rock burst utilizing microseismic multi-parameter indices

Rock bursts have become one of the most severe risks in underground coal mining and its early warning is an important component in the safety management. Microseismic(MS) monitoring is considered potentially as a powerful tool for the early warning of rock burst. In this study, an MS multi-parameter index system was established and the critical values of each index were estimated based on the normalized multi-information warning model of coal-rock dynamic failure. This index system includes bursting strain energy(BSE) index, time-space-magnitude independent information(TSMII) indices and timespace-magnitude compound information(TSMCI) indices. On the basis of this multi-parameter index system, a comprehensive analysis was conducted via introducing the R-value scoring method to calculate the weights of each index. To calibrate the multi-parameter index system and the associated comprehensive analysis, the weights of each index were first confirmed using historical MS data occurred in LW402102 of Hujiahe Coal Mine(China) over a period of four months. This calibrated comprehensive analysis of MS multi-parameter index system was then applied to pre-warn the occurrence of a subsequent rock burst incident in LW 402103. The results demonstrate that this multi-parameter index system combined with the comprehensive analysis are capable of quantitatively pre-warning rock burst risk.

Statistical analysis of distribution patterns of coal seams in fold zones in Northwest China

The mechanisms for rock bursts occurrences in fold zones are complex, and the redistribution of in-situ stresses is closely related to the complexity of the structures. Analysis of the geomorphology of fold structures and changes of coal thickness can help identify zones prone to rock bursts to improve safety and productivity in coal mines. This study investigated the distribution characteristics of fold structures in coal seams in fold zones in four mines in northwest China. Geometrical characteristics of fold structures in coal seams and changes of coal thickness were analysed, based on comprehensive evaluation indexes,such as the length–width ratio of folds, interlimb angle, ratio P1 of projected width of fold limbs to that of the hinge zone, curvature ratio P2, the maximum curvature and amplitude. The statistical analysis of the four coal mines shows that the length–width ratio of folds changed from 0.78 to 2.03 and the maximum curvature of cross sections of folds was less than 0.04. The curvature ratio of cross section of a fold in the structure was no more than 1.4 and the interlimb angles of cross sections of 89% of folds were larger than 150°. Gentle fold structures were dominant and the specific geological morphologies were domes or basins. The isopleth of coal thickness above the coal mines showed a fluctuation trend similar to the contour line of the floor of coal seams. The coal thickness in an anticline area was smaller than that in the neighboring syncline area. Therefore, the overall variation of coal thickness in the mining areas was likely to have a relation with the direction of the regional principal stress.