Evolution of Stress Concentration and Energy Release Before Rock Bursts: Two Case Studies from Xingan Coal mine, Hegang, China

Excerpt

Since the first recorded rock burst occurred in England in 1738, more than 20 countries have reported rock bursts (Kabiesz and Makowka 2009; Ortlepp and Stacey 1994; Patynska and Kabiesz 2009; Patynska 2013; Uszko 2009), including Germany, South Africa, Poland, the Czech Republic, Canada, Japan, France, etc. In China, rock bursts have become a common safety issue in underground coal mining. The number of coal mines experiencing rock bursts has increased annually (Jiang et al. 2010; Li et al. 2015). To date, 142 coal mines in China have suffered rock bursts which resulted in large economic losses and heavy casualties. For instance, the rock burst on 15 March 2013 in Junde Coal mine, Hegang City, caused the closure of a 200 m gateway, trapped 24 people, and killed four (Lu et al. 2015). The rock burst on 3 November 2011 in Qianqiu Coal mine, Yima City trapped 75 people underground and killed 10 people (Li et al. 2015). The rock burst on 14 February 2005 in Sunjiawan Coal mine, Fuxin City, caused a serious gas explosion and killed 214 people (State Administration of Work Safety, State Administration of Coalmine Safety 2005). …