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

Rockbursts are some of the most severe dynamic disasters in coal mines. In this paper, the discrimination method of the tectonic stress field is proposed by analyzing the modern stress field in China. The tectonic stress field formed by modern tectonic movement guides in situ stress measurements. According to the stress state classification, most rockbursts in coal mines in China are closely associated with tectonic stress. For tectonic stress-driven rockbursts, modern tectonic movement and modern tectonic stress fields 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 is mainly formed by natural geo-dynamic movement and the mining configuration, and energy accumulation is the basis for rockbursts. The application of the geo-dynamic environmental evaluation method to determine the coalfield geo-dynamic process and the influence of modern tectonic movement is proposed. Accordingly, the classification method of rockbursts in coal mines is established. Based on the distribution characteristics of modern tectonic conditions in China, it is revealed that these dynamic disasters follow a “110” distribution. Finally, a “three condition” criteria of rockbursts is proposed: the geo-dynamic environment is a necessary condition for rockbursts, mining disturbance is a sufficient condition for rockbursts, and risk-releasing measures are a condition controlling rockburst risk mitigation.