Insights into fundamental problems of rockburst under the modern structure stress field

Abstract Rockburst is one of the most severe dynamic disasters in coal mines. In this paper, the discrimination method of tectonic stress field is proposed by analyzing the Chinese modern stress field. The tectonic stress field formed by modern tectonic movement guides in-situ stress measurement. According to the stress state classification, the most rockburst coal mines in China are closely associated with tectonic stress. For the tectonic stress-driven rockburst, modern tectonic movement and modern tectonic stress field must be considered. The stress change and energy transfer caused by tectonic movement affect the geological structure where coal mines are located. Energy accumulation under rockburst conditions are mainly formed by natural geo-dynamic movement and mining configuration, and energy accumulation is the base of rockburst. The application of geo-dynamic environment evaluation method to determine the coalfield geo-dynamic process and the influence of modern tectonic movement is proposed. Accordingly, the classification method of rockburst coal mines is established. Based on the distribution characteristics of the modern tectonic condition in China, it is revealed that the dynamic disasters follow “110” distribution. Finally, a “three conditions” criterion of rockburst is proposed, namely, geo-dynamic environment is a necessary condition of rockburst, mining disturbance is a sufficient condition of rockburst, and risk-releasing measure is a controlling condition of rockburst risk mitigation.