The objective of this study is to investigate the mechanisms of strong mining-induced earthquake triggered by the fracture of thick and hard rock strata and the application of hydraulic fracturing for mitigating mining-induced earthquake. A coal mine located in Shandong province, China, was selected for this case study. The mechanisms of strong mining-induced earthquake triggered by the fracture of thick and hard rock strata were revealed based on field monitoring data and the physical simulation test results. A numerical model was established to analyze the energy accumulation and release characteristics of rock strata under varying degrees of fracture, elucidating the mechanisms of seismic reduction and energy dissipation achieved by hydraulic fracturing of thick and hard rock strata. The propagation patterns of fractures during the hydraulic fracturing process were clarified, and the distribution characteristics of hydraulic fractures under different injection pressures and lateral pressure coefficients were obtained, based on numerical simulation. Field application results show that it can effectively weaken and fracture the integrity of thick and hard rock strata to reduce the occurrence of mining-induced earthquakes with large energy. A total of 21 strong mining-induced earthquake events occurred in 63upper06 working face during the advance from 0 to 500 m, significantly fewer than in the previously mined 63upper05, 63upper04, and 63upper03 working faces with reductions of 46%, 50%, and 67%, respectively. In addition, the sufficient details of hydraulic fracturing technology provided in this study can potentially be applied to coal mines with strong mining-induced earthquake.
REFERENCES
1.
F.
Cui
, T. H.
Zhang
, X. P.
Lai
, J. Q.
Chen
, and Y. B.
Yang
, “Preliminary conception of scientific production capacity determination in rockburst mines
,” J. Min. Saf. Eng.
40
(1
), 48
–59
(2023
).2.
Y. Y.
Jiao
, K. B.
Wu
, J. P.
Zou
, F.
Zheng
, X. F.
Zhang
, C.
Wang
, X.
Li
, and C.
Zhang
, “On the strong earthquakes induced by deep coal mining under thick strata—A case study
,” Geomech. Geophys. Geo-Energy Geo-Resour.
7
, 97
(2021
).3.
J. P.
Zou
, Q.
Zhang
, Y. J.
Jiang
, Y. Y.
Jiao
, S. T.
Zhu
, and G. H.
Zhang
, “Mechanism of hydraulic fracturing for controlling strong mining-induced earthquakes induced by coal mining
,” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci.
181
, 105840
(2024
).4.
J. P.
Zou
, K. B.
Wu
, X. F.
Zhang
, J. B.
Zhu
, Z.
Zhou
, F.
Zheng
, H. P.
Xie
, and Y. Y.
Jiao
, “Effective evaluation of deep-hole blasting for controlling strong tremors induced by deep coal mining—A case study
,” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci.
159
, 105211
(2022
).5.
Q.
Zhang
, J. P.
Zou
, M. B.
Chi
, Y. Y.
Jiao
, and X. Y.
Yan
, “Strong mining-induced earthquakes produced by the fracturing of key strata during deep coal mining
,” Int. J. Geomech.
24
(5
), 04024080
(2024
).6.
M. C.
He
, G. L.
Zhu
, and Z. B.
Guo
, “Longwall mining ‘cutting cantilever beam theory’ and 110 mining method in China—The third mining science innovation
,” J. Rock Mech. Geotech. Eng
7
(5
), 483
–492
(2015
).7.
A.
McGarr
, “Energy budgets of mining-induced earthquakes and their interactions with nearby stopes
,” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci.
37
(1–2
), 437
–443
(2000
).8.
M. J.
Mendecki
, J.
Szczygieł
, G.
Lizurek
, and L.
Teper
, “Mining-triggered seismicity governed by a fold hinge zone: The Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Poland
,” Eng. Geol.
274
, 105728
(2020
).9.
Y. M.
Xiao
, Y. F.
Qiao
, M. C.
He
, H. R.
Li
, T.
Cheng
, and J.
Tang
, “A unified strain-hardening and strain-softening elastoplastic constitutive model for intact rocks
,” Comput. Geotech.
148
, 104772
(2022
).10.
G. A.
Wang
, S. T.
Zhu
, X. F.
Zhang
, Y. Y.
Wen
, Z. J.
Zhu
, Q. J.
Zhu
, L. F.
Xie
, and J.
Li
, “Prediction of mining induced seismicity and damage assessment of induced surface buildings in thick and hard key stratum working face: A case study of Liuhuanggou coal mine in China
,” Front. Earth Sci.
11
, 1238055
(2023
).11.
B.
Wang
, G. R.
Feng
, Z. X.
Gao
, J. P.
Ma
, S. T.
Zhu
, J. W.
Bai
, Z.
Li
, and W. D.
Wu
, “Study on the mechanism and prevention of frequent mine seismic events in goaf mining under a multi-layer thick hard roof: A case study
,” Minerals
13
, 852
(2023
).12.
C. C.
Wei
, C. G.
Zhang
, I.
Canbulat
, A. Y.
Cao
, and L. M.
Dou
, “Evaluation of current coal burst control techniques and development of a coal burst management framework
,” Tunnelling Underground Space Technol.
81
, 129
–143
(2018
).13.
S.
Wasilewski
, “Gas-dynamic phenomena caused by rock mass tremors and rock bursts
,” Int. J. Min. Sci. Technol.
30
, 413
–420
(2020
).14.
M. J.
Mendecki
, Ł.
Wojtecki
, and W. M.
Zuberek
, “Case studies of seismic energy release ahead of underground coal mining before strong tremors
,” Pure Appl. Geophys.
176
(8
), 3487
–3508
(2019
).15.
A.
Kotyrba
and L.
Kortas
, “Co-seismic signals of mining tremors in continuous recordings of gravity by gPhoneX tidal gravimeters
,” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci.
129
(4
), 104288
(2020
).16.
P.
Małkowski
, Z.
Niedbalski
, and W.
Sojka
, “The assessment of the optimal time window for prediction of seismic hazard for longwall coal mining: The case study
,” Acta Geophys.
69
(2
), 691
–699
(2021
).17.
D. M.
Dou
and H.
He
, “Study of OX-F-T spatial structure evolution of overlying strata in coal mines
,” Chin. J. Rock Mech. Eng.
31
(03
), 453
–460
(2012
).18.
F. X.
Jiang
, X.
Zhang
, and S. T.
Zhu
, “Discussion on key issues in the prevention and control system of coal mine rockburst
,” Coal Sci. Technol.
51
(01
), 203
–213
(2023
).19.
J. Q.
Jiang
, P. P.
Zhang
, G. P.
Qin
, and B.
Xu
, “Analysis of destabilized fracture and microseismic activity of high-located main key strata
,” Rock Soil Mech.
36
(12
), 3567
–3575
(2015
).20.
B. X.
Huang
, J. W.
Liu
, and Q.
Zhang
, “The reasonable breaking location of overhanging hard roof for directional hydraulic fracturing to control strong strata behaviors of gobside entry
,” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci.
103
, 1
–11
(2018
).21.
C. J.
de Pater
, L.
Weijers
, M.
Savic
, K. H. A. A.
Wolf
, P. J.
van den Hoek
, and D. T.
Barr
, “Experimental study of nonlinear effects in hydraulic fracture propagation
,” SPE Prod. Facil.
9
(4
), 239
–246
(1994
).22.
L.
Bjerrum
and K. H.
Andersen
, “In-situ measurement of lateral pressures in clay
,” in Proceedings of the 5th European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering
, Madrid
, 1972
, pp. 333
–342
.23.
L.
Bjerrum
, J. K. T. I.
Nash
, R. M.
Kennard
et al, “Hydraulic fracturing in field permeability testing
,” Geotechnique
22
(2
), 319
–332
(1972
).24.
B.
Yu
, R.
Gao
, T. J.
Kuang
, B. J.
Huo
, and X. B.
Meng
, “Engineering study on fracturing high-level hard rock strata by ground hydraulic action
,” Tunnelling Underground Space Technol.
86
, 156
–168
(2019
).25.
H. P.
Kang
, H. W.
Lv
, F. Q.
Gao
, X. Z.
Meng
, and Y. J.
Feng
, “Understanding mechanisms of destressing mining-induced stresses using hydraulic fracturing
,” Int. J. Coal Geol.
196
, 19
–28
(2018
).26.
C.
Zhou
, S. T.
Zhu
, D. Z.
Song
, F. X.
Jiang
, J. H.
Liu
, and J. J.
Li
, “Study on the mechanism of repeated mining tremor in multiple key layers: A typical case study
,” Geotech. Geol. Eng.
40
, 5139
–5151
(2022
).27.
C.
Wang
, M.
Wang
, S. Y.
Gong
, J. P.
Zou
, and K. B.
Wu
, “Study on evolution law and the mechanical mechanism of strong mine tremors in a deep coal mine
,” Adv. Civ. Eng.
2022
, 1066833
–1066833
.28.
G. C.
Zhang
, Y. M.
Yin
, G. L.
Zhou
, G. Z.
Tao
, Z. Y.
Zhang
, X. Y.
Yan
, Z. G.
Li
, and K.
Lv
, “Evolution law of stress and energy field accumulation during the fracture of plate structure in thick and hard rock strata
,” J. China Univ. Min. Technol.
53
(04
), 647
–663
(2024
).29.
G. C.
Zhang
, G. Y.
Zhang
, G. L.
Zhou
, Z. Y.
Zhang
, K.
Lv
, Y. M.
Yin
, X. Y.
Yan
, and Z. G.
Li
, “The linking response law of surface subsidence and strong mine earthquake in continuous mining of multiple working faces
,” J. Min. Strata Control Eng.
6
(01
), 117
–130
(2024
).30.
K.
Zhan
, X. T.
Wen
, C.
Wang
, C.
Kong
, C.
Wang
, and R.
Xu
, “A method for coal mine seismic network detection capability calculation based on energy
,” Rock Mech. Rock Eng.
58
, 431
–445
(2024
).31.
C. H.
Song
, C. P.
Lu
, H. Q.
Liu
, J. F.
Song
, C. Y.
Liu
, H. W.
Cui
, and J. R.
Zhang
, “Moment tensor and stress field inversions of mining-induced seismicity in a thick-hard roof zone
,” Rock Mech. Rock Eng.
57
, 2267
–2287
(2024
).32.
G. Y.
Li
and C. X.
Zhang
, “Dynamic pressure behaviors and control technology during goaf square stage in working face with hard roof
,” China Coal
44
(04
), 41
–45
(2018
).33.
J. F.
Zha
, X. C.
Yang
, H. Z.
Li
, M. H.
Yang
, C. W.
Zhong
, and K.
Song
, “Performance of the three-dimensional laser scanning method to monitor the moisture content of similar material models
,” Sci. Rep.
12
, 14433
(2022
).34.
K.
Wu
, G. L.
Cheng
, and D. W.
Zhou
, “Experimental research on dynamic movement in strata overlying coal mines using similar material modeling
,” Arabian J. Geosci.
8
(9
), 6521
–6534
(2015
).35.
Y. R.
Bai
, S. W.
Bai
, Z. M.
Jin
, and X. M.
Song
, “Testing study of similar material for layer-divided top coal caving in specially thick coal seam
,” Chin. J. Rock Mech. Eng.
20
, 365
–369
(2001
).36.
X. L.
Li
, S. J.
Chen
, E. Y.
Wang
, and Z. H.
Li
, “Rockburst mechanism in coal rock with structural surface and the microseismic (MS) and electromagnetic radiation (EMR) response
,” Eng. Fail. Anal.
124
, 105396
(2021
).37.
X. L.
Li
, S. J.
Chen
, S. M.
Liu
, and Z. H.
Li
, “AE waveform characteristics of rock mass under uniaxial loading based on Hilbert-Huang transform
,” J. Cent. South Univ.
28
(6
), 1843
–1856
(2021
).38.
S. Q.
Yang
, M.
Chen
, H. W.
Jing
, K. F.
Chen
, and B.
Meng
, “A case study on large deformation failure mechanism of deep soft rock roadway in Xin'An coal mine, China
,” Eng. Geol.
217
, 89
–101
(2017
).39.
F. Q.
Gao
, D.
Stead
, and H. P.
Kang
, “Numerical simulation of squeezing failure in a coal mine roadway due to mining-induced stresses
,” Rock Mech. Rock Eng.
48
(4
), 1635
–1645
(2015
).40.
Itasca Consulting Group, Inc
., UDEC User's Manual
(Itasca Consulting Group, Inc
., Minneapolis, USA
, 2016
).41.
R.
Gao
, T. J.
Kuang
, Y. Q.
Zhang
, W. Y.
Zhang
, and C. Y.
Quan
, “Controlling mine pressure by subjecting high-level hard rock strata to ground fracturing
,” Int. J. Coal Sci. Technol.
8
, 1336
–1350
(2021
).42.
G. R.
Irwin
, “Penetration resistance measurements at ballistic speeds
,” in Proceedings of the Sixth International Congress on Applied Mechanics
, September 1946
.43.
G. R.
Irwin
, “Fracture dynamics
,” in Proceedings of the ASM Symposium on Fracturing of Metals
, Cleveland
, OH
, 1948
, pp. 147
–166
.44.
X. H.
Wang
, J.
Zheng
, H. Y.
Sun
, Q.
Lv
, Q.
Ge
, and S. K.
Tan
, “A semi-theoretical method for determining the permeability tensor of fractured rock masses in three-dimensional space
,” Phys. Fluids
36
, 026613
(2024
).45.
X. H.
Wang
, Q.
Ge
, W. J.
Chu
, N.
Liu
, and J. Y.
Wang
, “A comparative study on the influences of fracture intersections on the prediction of rock mass permeability
,” Phys. Fluids
36
, 046609
(2024
).46.
Y.
Lu
, T.
Gong
, B. W.
Xia
, and B.
Yu
, “Target stratum determination of surface hydraulic fracturing for far-field hard roof control in underground extra-thick coal extraction: A case study
,” Rock Mech. Rock Eng.
52
(8
), 2725
–2740
(2019
).47.
B.
Yu
, “Behaviors of overlying strata in extra-thick coal seams using top-coal caving method
,” J. Rock Mech. Geotech. Eng.
8
(2
), 238
–247
(2016
).© 2025 Author(s). Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing.
2025
Author(s)
You do not currently have access to this content.
