Numerical simulation of microseismicity induced by deep longwall coal mining

Abstract

To find an effective numerical simulation method for microseismicity induced by deep mining activity, results obtained by using four simulation methods, namely: (1) the energy release rate method, based on Cook's study; (2) the strain energy release rate method, developed by the authors; (3) the volume excess shear stress index method, based on Spottiswoode's study; and (4) the maximum shear seismic moment release rate method, developed here by the authors; were compared with the microseismicity in a Japanese deep longwall coal mine. The maximum shear seismic moment release rate method was discovered to be the best method, since the intensity of microseismicity in a longwall coal panel, its variation with the face advance and the distribution of microseismic events were well simulated.