Prevention and forecasting of rock burst hazards in coal mines

Rock bursts signify extreme behavior in coal mine strata and severely threaten the safety of the lives of miners, as well as the effectiveness and productivity of miners. In our study, an elastic-plastic-brittle model for the deformation and failure of coal/rock was established through theoretical analyses, laboratory experiments and field testing, simulation and other means, which perfectly predict sudden and delayed rock bursts. Based on electromagnetic emission (EME), acoustic emission (AE) and microseism (MS) effects in the process from deformation until impact rupture of coal-rock combination samples, a multi-parameter identification of premonitory technology was formed, largely depending on these three forms of emission. Thus a system of classification for forecasting rock bursts in space and time was established. We have presented the intensity weakening theory for rock bursts and a strong-soft-strong (3S) structural model for controlling the impact on rock surrounding roadways, with the objective of laying a theoretical foundation and establishing references for parameters for the weakening control of rock bursts. For the purpose of prevention, key technical parameters of directional hydraulic fracturing are revealed. Based on these results, as well as those from deep-hole controlled blasting in coal seams and rock, integrated control techniques were established and anti-impact hydraulic props, suitable for roadways subject to hazards from rockbursts have also been developed. These technologies have been widely used in most coal mines in China, subject to these hazards and have achieved remarkable economic and social benefits.

Seismic effort of blasting wave transmitted in coal-rock mass associated with mining operation

Microseismic effects during the transmission of seismic waves in coal and rock mass associated with mining operation were studied by on-site blasting tests and microseismic monitoring in LW704 of Southern Colliery,Australia,by using spread velocities,amplitudes and frequency contents as the main analysis parameters.The results show that the average P-wave velocity,mean values of combined maximal amplitudes and frequencies of the first arrivals are all reduced significantly along with goaf expanding and intensity weakening of overlying strata during mining process.A full roof fracturing can make the average P-wave velocities,combined maximal amplitudes and frequencies of first arrivals reduce to about 69.8%,92.2% and 60.0%,respectively.The reduction of the above seismic parameters reveals dynamic effects of the variation of strata structure and property to the wave transmission and energy dissipation of blasting wave.The research greatly benefits further study on stability of surrounding rock under the destructive effort by mine tremor,blasting,etc,and provides experimental basis for source relocation and parameter optimization of seismic monitoring as well.