A Method for Dividing Rockburst Risk Zones—A Case Study of the Hegang Mining Area in China

Abstract

Rockbursts are serious mine disasters. Through the division of rockburst risk zones, risks can be predicted in advance and measures can be implemented to prevent disasters. In this paper, taking the Hegang mining area as an example, we propose a method for dividing rockburst risk zones based on in-situ stress measurements. First, 24 survey points were established in the Hegang mining area to measure the in-situ stress. Second, based on the in-situ stress measurement data, eight representative prospecting lines were selected to establish a numerical model, and the distribution characteristics of the in-situ stress field at mining elevations of −330 m and −450 m in the Hegang mining area were obtained via the linear differential method. Afterward, division criteria for rockburst risk zones were proposed in accordance with the energy criterion and the minimum energy principle. Finally, the Hegang mining area was divided into rockburst risk zones in accordance with the in-situ microseismic monitoring data and simulation results for the in-situ stress field. Coal seam #3 was chosen as an example to illustrate rockburst risk-zone division in the Hegang mining area considering the division criterion proposed herein, and a rockburst risk zoning map of coal seam #3 in the Hegang mining area was finally obtained. The locations of the five rockbursts that have occurred in coal seam #3 of the Hegang mining area were marked on the risk zoning map and were found to have occurred in the threatened zone. Thus, it was shown that the proposed rockburst risk-zone division method is reasonable. Therefore, the results of this study could serve as a reference for the division of rockburst risk zones.