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.

Classification of microseismic events in high stress zone

For the purpose of having a better understanding of failure mechanisms of rock fracturing in mines, the equivalent point source models of tensile, shear and explosive seismic events were established, and the relationship between far-field seismic displacements of the waves and the corresponding equivalent forces were analyzed as well. Based on the results of a microseismic monitoring carried out in the mining progress of 9202 working face under the upper remnant coal pillar in Sanhejian Mine, the waveform features of the seismic events associated with different failure modes were further analyzed. The results show that the signals corresponding to different failure mechanisms have different radiation patterns of the seismic displacements, and different characteristics in waveform features, such as dominant frequency, energy released, the ratio of S- to P-wave energy, and so on. In addition, the rock burst happened in the high stress zone is mainly the result of the strong shear fracturing in the mining process. The results of this study have significantly improved the understanding of the characteristics of the failures associated with underground mining, and will greatly benefit the prevention and control of rock burst hazards in burst-prone mines.