Energy release induced rockbursts based on butterfly-shaped plastic zones in roadways of coal reservoirs

According to the theories of rockburst based on butterfly-shaped plastic zones, a plane strain mechanical model was established for stress distribution around the holes in homogeneous elastoplastic media. Based on the Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion and the generalized form of Hooke’s law, the equation for the elastic strain-energy density of units at a 3D stress state was deduced. On this basis, the energy absorption and release in rocks surrounding a roadway during the evolution thereof in a coal reservoir tend to rock bursting were quantified. Through Flac(3D) 5.0 numerical simulation software, the energy released from a homogeneous circular roadway at different development states of plastic zones was investigated. By investigating conditions at the 21141 working face in Qianqiu Coal Mine, Henan Province, China, subjected to rockburst, a numerical model was established to calculate the energy released by a rockburst working face. The calculated results approximated the data monitored at the outburst site, with the same energy level recorded. The theoretical calculation for energy release from the rock surrounding a roadway is expected to reference engineering practice.