Roadway rock burst prediction based on catastrophe theory

Area of Science:

• Geotechnical Engineering
• Mining Engineering
• Catastrophe Theory

Background:

• Rock bursts pose significant hazards in coal mines, necessitating accurate prediction and control methods.
• Existing methods for determining critical depth and load for rock bursts have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a quantitative mechanical model for predicting rock burst occurrence in coal mine roadways.
• To derive a theoretical formula for calculating the critical depth and load initiating rock bursts.

Main Methods:

• Established a mechanical analysis model linking in-situ stress, coal-rock mass properties, and engineering parameters.
• Derived a mechanical instability criterion for the roadway's surrounding rock.
• Validated the model using data from 25 Chinese coal mines prone to rock bursts.

Main Results:

• The model's critical depth calculation showed less than 35% discrepancy with actual measurements.
• The critical depth calculated by the model was within 32% of Pan Yishan's method.
• The ratio of critical load to uniaxial compressive strength aligned with engineering classification standards.

Conclusions:

• The proposed catastrophe theory-based model offers a practical and theoretically sound approach for quantitative rock burst control.
• The findings provide a robust foundation for enhancing safety measures in rock burst-prone coal mines.