Prediction and control of rock burst of coal seam contacting gas in deep mining

By analyzing the characteristics and the production mechanism of rock burstthat goes with abnormal gas emission in deep coal seams,the essential method of eliminatingabnormal gas emission by eliminating the occurrence of rock burst or depressingthe magnitude of rock burst was considered.The No.237 working face was selected asthe typical working face contacting gas in deep mining;aimed at this working face,a systemof rock burst prediction and control for coal seam contacting gas in deep mining wasestablished.This system includes three parts:① regional prediction of rock burst hazardbefore mining,② local prediction of rock burst hazard during mining,and ③ rock burstcontrol.

Prediction of rock-burst-threatened areas in an island coal face and its prevention:A case study

The island coal face arises in coal mines with the purpose of preventing gas explosion or maintaining the balance between mining and tunneling. However, its particular stress conditions in the surrounding rock may increase the difficulty of stress control in the coal face and in its mining roadways, especially when the coal seam, the roof, and the floor have rock-burst propensities, The high energy accumulated in the island coal face and in its roof and floor will intensify rock-burst propensity or even induce rock burst, which further result in great casualties and financial losses. Taking island coal face 2321 in Jinqiao coal mine as a case, we propose a method for the prediction of rock-burst-threatened areas in an island coal face with weak rock-burst propensity. Based on the anaHysis of the movement of the overlying roof and characteristics of stress distribution, this method combined numerical simulation with drilling bits to ensure the prediction accuracy. The effects of coal pillars with different widths on the mitigation of stress concentration in the coal face and on the prevention of rock burst are analyzed together with the mech- anism behind. Finally, corresponding measures against the rock burst in the island coal face are proposed.

Energy dissipation of coal and rock during damage and failure process based on EMR

The physical and mechanical change processes of coal and rock are closely related to energy transformation,and the destruction and failure of coal and rock is an instability phenomena driven by energy change.However,the energy change of large-scale coal rock in the mine site is hardly calculated accurately,making it difficult to monitor coal-rock systematic failure and collapse from the perspective of energy.By the energy dissipation EMR monitoring system,we studied the damage and failure of coal and rock with bursting liability from the energy dissipation point using the geophysical method-EMR,and explored the energy dissipation characteristics during uniaxial compression and their main influencing factors.The results show that under displacement-control loading mode,there are 2 types of energy dissipation trends for both coal and rock with bursting liability.The type Ⅰ trend is a steady increase one during the whole process,therein,the energy dissipation of rock samples is accelerated at the peak load.The type Ⅱ trend energy is a W-shaped fluctuating one containing 6 stages.Under load-control loading mode,there is one energy dissipation trend of shock downward-steady rise.Besides that,rock samples also present a trend of 4 stages.The energy dissipation characteristics of coal and rockduring loading failure process can be used as effective criteria to assess whether they are in a stable or destructive stage.The factors influencing energy dissipation in the loading failure process of coal and rock mainly include strength,homogeneity,and energy input efficiency.

Selected elements of rock burst state assessment in case studies from the Silesian hard coal mines

Exploitation of coal seams in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin is conducted in complex and difficult conditions. These difficulties are connected with the occurrence of many natural mining hazards and limitations resulting from the existing in this area surface infrastructure. One of the most important problems of Polish mining is the rock burst hazard and reliable evaluation of its condition. During long-years’ mining practice in Poland a comprehensive system of evaluation and control of this hazard was developed. In the paper the main aspects of rock burst hazard state evaluation will be presented, comprising: 1) rock mass inclination for rock bursts, i.e., rock strength properties investigation, comprehensive parametric evaluation of rock mass inclination for rock bursts, prognosis of seismic events induced by mining operations, methods of computer-aided modelling of stress and rock mass deformation parameters distribution, strategic rock mass classification under rock burst degrees; 2) immediate seismic and rock burst hazard state evaluation, i.e., low diameter test drilling method, seismologic and seismoacoustic method, comprehensive method of rock burst hazard state evaluation, non-standard methods of evaluation; 3) legal aspects of rock burst hazard state evaluation. Selected elements of the hazard state evaluation system are illustrated with specific practical examples of their application.

A CUSPC ATASTROPHIC MODEL AND TIME EFFECT OF ROCK BURSTS OF A

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Mechanics analysis on the conditions of rock burst occurrence in the coal mass of roadway rib

According to the rock burst features occurred in the coal mass of roadway rib in one mine,the mechanics model of coal mass and roof structure system along the edge of goaf was founded to analyze the stress of roof rock layer,so the subside curve of roof rock layer was deduced.Furthermore,the stability of coal and rock system were analyzed,the critical load and critical resistance zone were used to judge the danger degree of rock burst occurrence.The influence of coal mass strength,brittleness degree,coal seam thickness,roof thickness,suspending length,equivalent shear module on the critical load, critical resistance zone was confirmed.So the rock burst occurrence conditions of coal mass in roadway rib mainly depend on mining depth,coal seam thickness and hard roof and floor,which are decided by the above studies,and successfully applied in prediction and prevention of rock burst in this mine.

Numerical analysis on the factors affecting post-peak characteristics of coal under uniaxial compression

The post-peak characteristics of coal serve as a direct reflection of its failure process and are essential parameters for evaluating brittleness and bursting liability.Understanding the significant factors that influence post-peak characteristics can offer valuable insights for the prevention of coal bursts.In this study,the Synthetic Rock Mass method is employed to establish a numerical model,and the factors affecting coal post-peak characteristics are analyzed from four perspectives:coal matrix mechanical parameters,structural weak surface properties,height-to-width ratio,and loading rate.The research identifies four significant influencing factors:deformation modulus,density of discrete fracture networks,height-to-width ratio,and loading rate.The response and sensitivity of post-peak characteristics to single-factor and multi-factor interactions are assessed.The result suggested that feasible prevention and control measures for coal bursts can be formulated through four approaches:weakening the mechanical properties of coal pillars,increasing the number of structural weak surfaces in coal pillars,reducing the width of coal pillars,and optimizing mining and excavation speed.The efficacy of measures aimed at weakening the mechanical properties of coal is successfully demonstrated through a case study on coal burst prevention using large-diameter borehole drilling.

A new criterion of coal burst proneness based on the residual elastic energy index

To evaluate the coal burst proneness more precisely,a new energy criterion namely the residual elastic energy index was proposed.This study begins by performing the single-cyclic loading-unloading uniaxial compression tests with five pre-peak unloading stress levels to explore the energy storage characteristics of coal.Five types of coals from different mines were tested,and the instantaneous destruction process of the coal specimens under compression loading was recorded using a high speed camera.The results showed a linear relationship between the elastic strain energy density and input energy density,which confirms the linear energy storage law of coal.Based on this linear energy storage law,the peak elastic strain energy density of each coal specimen was obtained precisely.Subsequently,a new energy criterion of coal burst proneness was established,which was called the residual elastic energy index(defined as the difference between the peak elastic strain energy density and post peak failure energy density).Considering the destruction process and actual failure characteristics of coal specimens,the accuracy of evaluating coal burst proneness based on the residual elastic energy index was examined.The results indicated that the residual elastic energy index enables reliable and precise evaluations of the coal burst proneness.

Correlation of electromagnetic radiation emitted from coal or rock to supporting resistance

More accurate forecasting of rock burst might be possible from observations of electromagnetic radiation emitted in the mine.We analyzed experimental observations and field data from the Muchengjian coal mine to study the relationship between electromagnetic radiation signal intensity and stress during the fracturing of coal, or rock, and samples under load.The results show that the signal intensity is positively correlated with stress.In addition, we investigated the change in the electromagnetic radiation intensity, the supporting resistance in a real coal mine environment, and the coal or rock stress in the mining area.The data analysis indicates that:1) electromagnetic radiation intensity can accurately reflect the distribution of stress in the mining area;and, 2) there is a correlation between electromagnetic radiation intensity and supporting resistance.The research has some practical guiding significance for rock burst forecasting and for the prevention of accidents in coal mines.

Study of electromagnetic characteristics of stress distribution and sudden changes in the mining of gob-surrounded coal face

The incidence of dynamic coal or rock disasters is closely related to the distribution of stress in the surrounding rock. Our experiments show that electromagnetic radiation （EMR） signals are related to the state of stress of a coal body. The higher the stress, the more intense the deformation and fractures of a coal body and the stronger the EMR signals. EMR signals reflect the degrees of concentrated stress of a coal body and danger of a rock burst. We selected EMR intensity as the test index of the No.237 gob-surrounded coal face in the Nanshan coal mine. We tested the EMR characteristics of the stress distribution on the strike, on the incline and in the interior of the coal body. The EMR rule of rock bursts, caused by sudden changes in stress, is analyzed. Our research shows that EMR technology can be not only used to test qualitatively the stress distribution of the surrounding rock, but also to predict a possible occurrence of rock burst. Based on this, effective distress measures are used to eliminate or at least weaken the incidence of rock bursts. We hooe that safetv in coalmines will be enhanced.

Focal mechanism caused by fracture or burst of a coal pillar

As a regional, real-time and dynamic method, microseismic monitoring technology is quite an appropriate technology for forecasting geological hazards, such as rock bursts, mine tremors, coal and gas outbursts and can even be used to prevent or at least reduce these disasters. The study of the focal mechanisms of different seismic sources is the prerequisite and basis for forecasting rock burst by microseismic monitoring technology. Based on the analysis on the mechanism and fracture course of coal pillars where rock bursts occur mostly, the equivalent point source model of the seismicity caused by a coal pillar was created. Given the model, the seismic displacement equation of a coal pillar was analyzed and the seismic mechanism was pointed out by seismic wave theory. The course of the fracture of the coal pillar was simulated closely in the laboratory and the equivalent microseismic signals of the fractures of the coal pillar were acquired using a TDS-6 experimental system. The results show that, by the pressure and friction of a medium near the seismic source, both a compression wave and a shear wave will be emitted and shear fracture will be induced at the moment of breakage. The results can be used to provide an academic basis to forecast and prevent rock bursts or tremors in a coal pillar.

A strategy for rock/coal outburst prevention

The current practice of rock/coal outburst monitoring, prevention and control was reviewed. The uncertainty of major factors contributing to the occurrence of such hazards and the complexicity of mining conditions surrounding the occurrence were analyzed. A strategic concept for rock/coal outburst prevention was introduced. The objective is to identify the bursting potential in an area, rather than predicting the bursting, by introducing a multi- dimension index model： potential-of-bursting （POB）, taking into consideration major contributing factors. In application, once the index has passed certain critical level indicating high risk, actions must be taken to reduce the bursting potential and to effectively prevent the hazard from occurring. A conceptual 2D model involving stress and methane pressure was described to demonstrate the methodology for determining the POB. However in practice, a POB model has to be established through experiments, field monitoring and calibration against case studies. To achieve this objective, coordinated research and international collaboration will be needed.

Rock burst risk evaluation based on equivalent surrounding rock strength

On-site investigations consistently show that the rock burst inherent to coal seams varies greatly with coal seam thickness.In this study,impact factors related to coal seam thickness and surrounding rock strength were analyzed and a corresponding rock burst risk assessment method was constructed.The model reflects the influence of coal seam thickness on the stress distribution of surrounding rock at the roadway.Based on the roadway excavation range,a stress distribution model of surrounding roadway rock is established and the influence of coal seam thickness on rock burst risk is analyzed accordingly.The proposed rock burst risk assessment method is based on the equivalent surrounding rock strength and coal seam bursting liability.The proposed method was tested in a 3500 mining area to find that it yields rock burst risk assessment results as per coal seam thickness that are in accordance with real-world conditions.The results presented here suggest that coal seam thickness is a crucial factor in effective rock burst risk assessment.

A dynamic ejection coal burst model for coalmine roadway collapse

In this study,we established a dynamic ejection coal burst model for a coalmine roadway subject to stress,and held that the stress concentration zone at the roadway side is the direct energy source of this ejection.The formation and development of such burst undergoes three stages:(1)instability and propagation of the cracks in the stress concentration zone,(2)emerging of a layered energy storage structure in the zone,and(3)ejection of coal mass or coal burst due to instability.Moreover,we figured out the initial strength of periodic cracks is parallel to the maximal dominant stress direction in the stress concentration zone and derived from the damage strain energy within the finite area of the zone based on the Griffith energy theory.In addition,we analyzed the formation process of the layered energy storage structure in the zone,simplified it as a simply supported restraint sheet,and calculated the minimum critical load and the internally accumulated elastic energy at the instable state.Furthermore,we established a criterion for occurrence of the coal burst based on the variational principle,and analyzed the coal mass ejection due to instability and coal burst induced by different intensity disturbances.At last,with the stratum conditions of Junde Coalmine as the model prototype,we numerically simulated the load displacement distribution of the stress concentration zone ahead of the working face disturbed by the main roof-fracture-induced dynamic load during the mining process as well as their varying characteristics,and qualitatively verified the above model.

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.

Mechanical properties and charge signal characteristics in coal material failure under different loading paths

Rock burst is a catastrophic dynamic disaster caused by sudden failure and instability of coal, loading paths play an important role in the failure of coal, the coal failure process is associated with charge exception infonnation. Hence, violent coal failure mechanics and time-frequency domain distribution of charge signal such as rock burst under different loading paths should be studied in-depth. In this paper, grade and cyclic loading test were carried out for coal with impact tendency samples produced by blocks cored from 800 depth in Xiaoqing coal mine of the Tiefa coal group in northeast China. Theory discussion was carried out for the result of stress and strain, frequency-spectra analysis was conducted for the wavelet charge data, figures showing the evolution mechanism of mechanical properties and the relationship of timefrequency domain amplitude of charge signals in coal with different loading paths and stage were obtained. The failure process and characteristics of coal under different loading paths were summarized. It found that the loading path changed the manner of energy accelerate-release, there were more plastic strain generation in coal under cyclic loading than that under grade loading, the former was more likely to cause greater damage and failure, then the strength of coal under cyclic loading is generally lower than that under grade loading, an energy conversion mechanical model of stress, damage and deformation was developed and explained the effect of the loading path. Charge signal was primarily distributed in the strengthening and peak stages, where there was a high amplitude pulse at each stress drop. The charge pulse was a type of low frequency signal with a primary frequency distribution range of 1 -100Hz. Discussion on the charge generating mechanism from the perspective of friction slip, it demonstrated that the charge obtained during the coal failure process directly to stress loaded on and damage, the result verified it better. We propose that the research results in this study could be efficiently applied to daily mining activities, to provide an early warning and effectively avoid rock burst disaster.

Disturbance response instability theory of rock bursts in coal mines and its application

Aiming at the rock burst prevention in coal mines,this study argue that a rock burst is the instability of the coal mass deformation system with the infinite deformation response subjected to a small disturbance,and the concepts of control,disturbance and response variables of the coal mass deformation system are proposed.The analytical solution of rock bursts of circular roadways is derived,using a mechanical model of the coal mass deformation system of circular roadways,and the stress and energy conditions of the disturbance response instability of a rock burst are also presented.Based on the disturbance response instability theory,this study identifies the factors controlling the occurrence of rock bursts,involving the coal uniaxial compressive strength,coal bursting liability and roadway support stress.The relationship between the critical stress and the critical resistance zone of surrounding rock in roadways,the coal uniaxial compressive strength,roadway support stress,roadway geometric parameters and coal burst liability is revealed,and the critical stress index evaluation method of rock burst risk is proposed.Considering the disturbance and response variables of rockburst occurrence,a monitoring system of rock burst based on stress and energy monitoring is established.Considering managing the disturbance and control variables,regional and local prevention measures of rock burst are proposed from four aspects:destressing in coal mass,avoiding the mutual disturbance between multi-group mining or excavation,reducing the dynamic load disturbance and weakening of the physical properties of the coal mass.Based on the enhancement principle of the roadway support stress on the critical load of rockburst occurrence and the energy absorption effect of the support,an energy absorption and anti-bursting support technology for roadways are proposed.The disturbance response instability theory of rock bursts has formed a technical system from the aspects of mechanism,prediction and prevention to guide the engineering practice for rock burst mitigation.

三角煤柱孤岛工作面冲击地压防治技术研究

为解决近邻三角形煤柱孤岛工作面冲击地压防治问题,分析了国内该条件下导致冲击地压的研究现状;以唐山矿Y392工作面为研究对象,通过理论分析得出了以大埋深、上覆不规则煤柱、本层三角形煤柱、孤岛工作面冲击地压的主控因素;采用FLAC3D建立了数值模型,分析了本层三角形煤柱孤岛工作面的应力分布规律;提出了通过顶板预裂调控冲击地压主控因素的防冲方法;最后通过现场工程实践,建立并实施了以顶板预裂为主的冲击地压防治技术,通过应力法和钻屑法验证了顶板预裂对该条件下的冲击地压防控具有良好的效果。

Rock dynamics in deep mining

Rock mass dynamics disasters caused by excavations and mining occur frequently in deep mines.In order to establish a theoretical system and control technologies for such disasters,we first classify and define dynamic disasters,such as rock bursts,coal bursts,mine pressure bumps,and mine earthquakes.According to the occurrence mechanism of different types of dynamic disasters,we establish a compensation control theory based on excavation and mining effects.On the basis,we propose three key technologies:high prestress compensation technology for the roadway,pressure relief technology using directional roof cutting,and the goaf filling technology using broken rock dilation.These three technologies constitute the compensation control method for dynamic disasters in deep mines.Finally,this method was successfully applied in a deep coal mine with high stress,with monitored results suggesting its rationality.This work provides a new concept and control method for the prevention of rock dynamic disasters in deep mines.

Monitoring and evaluation of disaster risk caused by linkage failure and instability of residual coal pillar and rock strata in multi-coal seam mining

Comprehensive research methods such as literature research,theoretical analysis,numerical simulations and field monitoring have been used to analyze the disasters and characteristics caused by the linkage failure and instability of the residual coal pillars-rock strata in multi-seam mining.The effective monitoring area and monitoring design method of linkage instability of residual coal pillar-rock strata in multi-seam mining have been identified.The evaluation index and the risk assessment method of disaster risk have been established and the project cases have been applied and validated.The results show that:①The coal pillar will not only cause disaster in singleseam mining,but also more easily cause disaster in multi-seam mining.The instability of coal pillars can cause not only dynamical disasters such as rock falls and mine earthquakes,but also cause surface subsidence and other disasters.②When monitoring the linkage instability of residual coal pillar-rock strata,it is not only necessary to consider the monitoring of the apply load body(key block),the transition body(residual coal pillar)and the carrier body(interlayer rock and working face),but also to strengthen the monitoring of the fracture development height(linkage body).③According to the principles of objectivity,easy access and quantification,combined with investigation,analysis,and production and geological characteristics of this mining area,the main evaluation indexes of the degree of disaster caused by linkage instability of residual coal pillar-rock strata are determined as:microseismic energy,residual coal pillar damage degree,fracture development height.And the evaluation index classification table was also given.④According to the measured value of the evaluation index,the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method was used to calculate the disaster risk degree in the studied mine belongs to class III,that is,medium risk level.The corresponding pressure relief technology was adopted on site,which achieved a good control effect,and also verified the accuracy and effectiveness of the risk evaluation results.