Precursory characteristics of large-scale rockmass collapse based on multiple microseismic parameters

Abstract

Microseismic monitoring is vital for identification and analysis of precursory characteristics of rockmass failure and collapse, which is of great significance for geological hazard early warning and management. By conducting a quantitative analysis of multiple microseismic parameters based on previous insights from laboratory acoustic emission experiments, we investigate the precursory characteristics of large-scale rockmass collapse associated with the large blast in Shizhuyuan Mine on 21 June, 2012. Both the b-value and spatial fractal dimension exhibit a decreasing trend, and the sharp decrease of b-value and the continuous decline of fractal dimension serve as two discernible precursors of rockmass failure. Besides, the variations in the energy index and cumulative apparent volume reflect the dynamics of stress and strain, respectively. The combination of a decrease of energy index against an increase of cumulative apparent volume also indicates the unstable state of rockmass, and this process may repeat before the final rockmass collapse. This case study demonstrates the significance of microseismic monitoring in providing valuable information for early warning and management of rockmass collapse. This work also provides insights for the safety monitoring of various geological engineering activities involving blasting operations.

Keywords

microseismic monitoring / rockmass collapse / precursory characteristics / early warning

References

[[1]] Alcott J M, Kaiser P K, Simser B P. Use of microseismic source parameters for rockburst hazard assessment. Pure and Applied Geophysics, 1998, 153(1): 41-65, J]

[[2]] Feng X-t, Young R P, Reyes-Montes J M, et al.. ISRM suggested method for in situ acoustic emission monitoring of the fracturing process in rock masses. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 2019, 52(5): 1395-1414, J]

[[3]] Li L, Tan J-q, Wood D A, et al.. A review of the current status of induced seismicity monitoring for hydraulic fracturing in unconventional tight oil and gas reservoirs. Fuel, 2019, 242: 195-210, J]

[[4]] Liu J-p, Si Y-t, Wei D-c, et al.. Developments and prospects of microseismic monitoring technology in underground metal mines in China. Journal of Central South University, 2021, 28(10): 3074-3098, J]

[[5]] Guo Z-w, Lai J-q, Zhang K-n, et al.. Geosciences in Central South University: A state-of-the-art review. Journal of Central South University, 2020, 27(4): 975-996, J]

[[6]] Gibowicz S J, Kijko A. . An introduction to mining seismology, 1994 San Diego Academic Press [M]

[[7]] Li S-l, Yin X-g, Zheng W-d, et al.. Research of multi-channel microseismic monitoring system and its application to Fankou lead-zinc mine. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering, 2005, 24(12): 2048-2053 [J]

[[8]] Zhao J-s, Jiang Q, Lu J-f, et al.. Rock fracturing observation based on microseismic monitoring and borehole imaging: in situ investigation in a large underground cavern under high geostress. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2022, 126: 104549, J]

[[9]] Aker E, Kühn D, VavryVcuk V, et al.. Experimental investigation of acoustic emissions and their moment tensors in rock during failure. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 2014, 70: 286-295, J]

[[10]] Stanchits S, Burghardt J, Surdi A. Hydraulic fracturing of heterogeneous rock monitored by acoustic emission. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 2015, 48(6): 2513-2527, J]

[[11]] Ji Y-l, Hofmann H, Duan K, et al.. Laboratory experiments on fault behavior towards better understanding of injection-induced seismicity in geoenergy systems. Earth Science Reviews, 2022, 226: 103916, J]

[[12]] Gao F, Li J-j, Li X-y, et al.. Fractal analysis of the characteristics of acoustic emission of rock. Journal of Wuhan University of Technology, 2005, 27(7): 67-69 [J]

[[13]] Wang G, Song L-b, Liu X-q, et al.. Shear fracture mechanical properties and acoustic emission characteristics of discontinuous jointed granite. Rock and Soil Mechanics, 2022, 43(6): 1533-1545 [J]

[[14]] Yang D-j, Hu J-h, Zeng P-ping. Uniaxial acoustic emission and chaotic fractal analysis of granite pre-damaged by triaxial cyclic loading. The Chinese Journal of Nonferrous Metals, 2023, 33(2): 619-629 [J]

[[15]] Amitrano D, Grasso J R, Senfaute G. Seismic precursory patterns before a cliff collapse and critical point phenomena. Geophysical Research Letters, 2005, 32(8): L08314, J]

[[16]] Spillmann T, Maurer H, Green A G, et al.. Microseismic investigation of an unstable mountain slope in the Swiss Alps. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 2007, 112(B7): B07301, J]

[[17]] Dong L-j, Yan X-h, Wang J, et al.. Case study of microseismic tomography and multi-parameter characteristics under mining disturbances. Journal of Central South University, 2023, 30(7): 2252-2265, J]

[[18]] Liu J-p, Li Y-h, Xu S-da. Relationship between microseismic activities and mining parameters during deep mining process. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 2018, 159: 814-823, J]

[[19]] Zhang Z-yong. Characterization and monitoring of an unstable rock face by microseismic methods. Civil and Environmental Engineering for the Sustainable Development Goals, 2022 Cham Springer 97-108, M]

[[20]] yu Q, Zhao D-c, Xia Y-j, et al.. Multivariate early warning method for rockburst monitoring based on microseismic activity characteristics. Frontiers in Earth Science, 2022, 10: 837333, J]

[[21]] Zhao J-s, Jiang Q, Pei S-f, et al.. Microseismicity and focal mechanism of blasting-induced block falling of intersecting chamber of large underground cavern under high geostress. Journal of Central South University, 2023, 30(2): 542-554, J]

[[22]] Li S-l, Lin K-f, Zhou M-j, et al.. Study on failure precursors and seismogenic mechanisms of a large landslide based on moment tensor analysis. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering, 2019, 38(10): 2000-2009 [J]

[[23]] Ma C-c, Li T-b, Zhang H, et al.. An evaluation and early warning method for rockburst based on EMS microseismic source parameters. Rock and Soil Mechanics, 2018, 39(2): 765-774 [J]

[[24]] Dou L-m, Cai W, Cao A-y, et al.. Comprehensive early warning of rock burst utilizing microseismic multiparameter indices. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 2018, 28(5): 767-774, J]

[[25]] Gutenberg B, Richter C F. Frequency of earthquakes in California. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 1944, 34(4): 185-188, J]

[[26]] Dong L-j, Zhang Y-h, Sun D-y, et al.. Stage characteristics of acoustic emission and identification of unstable crack state for granite fractures. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering, 2022, 41(1): 120-131 [J]

[[27]] Zhu C-z, An Z-w, Wang L-y, et al.. Fractal features of earthquakes and its significance in earthquake prediction. Journal of Seismological Research, 1991, 14(1): 73-86 [J]

[[28]] Xie H-ping. . Introduction to fractal rock mechanics, 1996 Beijing Science Press [M]

[[29]] Tan J-q, Xie J, Li L, et al.. Multifractal analysis of acoustic emissions during hydraulic fracturing experiments under uniaxial loading conditions: A niutitang shale example. Geofluids, 2020, 2020: 8845292, J]

[[30]] Grassberger P, Procaccia I. Measuring the strangeness of strange attractors. Physica D: Nonlinear Phenomena, 1983, 9(1–2): 189-208, J]

[[31]] Yin X-g, Li S-l, Tang H-y, et al.. Study on quiet period and fractal characteristics of acoustic emission in rock failure. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering, 2009, 28(S2): 3383-3390 [J]

[[32]] Zhou H-w, Xie H-ping. Direct estimation of the fractal dimensions of a fracture surface of rock. Surface Review and Letters, 2003, 10(5): 751-762, J]

[[33]] Li Y-h, Liu J-p, Zhao X-d, et al.. Study on b-value and fractal dimension of acoustic emission during rock failure process. Rock and Soil Mechanics, 2009, 30(9): 2559-2563 [J]

[[34]] Li S-l, Lin C-y, Mao J-x, et al.. Experimental study on fractal dimension characteristics of acoustic emission of rock under multilevel uniaxial cyclic loading. Engineering Mechanics, 2015, 32(9): 92-99 [J]

[[35]] Xu N-w, Dai F, Zhou Z, et al.. Study on b-value characteristics of microseismic events on rock slopes. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering, 2014, 33(S1): 3368-3374 [J]

[[36]] Li B, Ding Q-f, Xu N-w, et al.. Characteristics of microseismic b-value associated with rock mass large deformation in underground powerhouse Caverns at different stress levels. Journal of Central South University, 2022, 29(2): 693-711, J]

[[37]] Pei J-l, Fei W-p, Liu J-feng. Spatial evolution and fractal characteristics of natural fractures in marbles under uniaxial compression loading based on the source location technology of acoustic emission. Environmental Earth Sciences, 2016, 75(9): 828, J]