Numerical modeling for rockbursts: A state-of-the-art review

Abstract

As the depth of excavation increases, rockburst becomes one of the most serious geological hazards damaging equipment and facilities and even causing fatalities in mining and civil engineering. This has forced researchers worldwide to identify different methods to investigate rockburst-related problems. However, some problems, such as the mechanisms and the prediction of rockbursts, continue to be studied because rockburst is a very complicated phenomenon influenced by the uncertainty and complexity in geological conditions, in situ stresses, induced stresses, etc. Numerical modeling is a widely used method for investigating rockbursts. To date, great achievements have been made owing to the rapid development of information technology (IT) and computer equipment. Hence, it is necessary and meaningful to conduct a review of the current state of the studies for rockburst numerical modeling. In this paper, the categories and the origin of different numerical approaches employed in modeling rockbursts are reviewed and the current usage of various numerical modeling approaches is investigated by a literature research. Later, a state-of-the-art review is implemented to investigate the application of numerical modeling in the mechanism study, and prediction and prevention of rockbursts. The main achievements and problems are highlighted. Finally, this paper discusses the limitations and the future research of numerical modeling for rockbursts. An approach is proposed to provide researchers with a systematic and reasonable numerical modeling framework.