Rock burst assessment in multi-seam mining: a case study

To assess rock burst prone zones in the lower seam during multi-seam mining, a rock burst hazard assessment method for use in multi-seam mining was established. According to the observed geological evolution, the feasibility of using upper layer coal mining data to determine the rock burst risk zone of the lower coal seam is explained. Then, we established the energy density risk index (EDRI) and proved that the EDRI more accurately reflected the potential rock burst region than the multi-factor coupling analysis method. Finally, we established the rock burst hazard assessment method for use in multi-seam mining by using the EDRI of the upper coal to divide the rock burst risk zone in the lower coal. From the accuracy and validity analysis of this assessment method, we find that the critical energy induced rock burst, and the damage area of a rock burst in the lower coal seam were all located in the high-risk zone derived from this assessment method. To quantify the effectiveness and practicability of this assessment method, the structural similarity (SSIM) index, from image quality assessment research, was introduced. The SSIM index between predicted-high-risk map and actual high-risk map index was 0.8581, which shows that the established rock burst hazard assessment method in multi-seam mining can be used to predict rock burst risk zones in the lower seam.