Modeling seismic experiments for weakness zone prediction in rock mass above mined-out voids

The article exemplifies the use of mathematical modeling for the detection of weakness zones above mined-out spaces in rock mass. A physical–geological model of weakness zones above a mined-out void is developed. The mathematical modeling of wave fields is carried out in the conditions conformable with the seismic experiments using the common depth point stack. Efficiency of the methods of reflected waves and diffracted waves in the weakness zone detection is evaluated. The signs of the weakness zones in the seismic profiles obtained using the common depth point stack and in the seismic images obtained using the method of diffracted waves for the cases of horizontal and inclined bedding of rocks are examined. The mathematical modeling results prove possibility of detection of weakness zones above minedout areas. The weakness zones are identified in the seismic profiles obtained using the common depth point by the sign of a diffraction effect and reflecting boundary. Regarding the seismic images obtained using the method of diffraction waves, the weakness zones show up as the inphase effects of combination of scattered waves.

Keywords: rock mass deformations, weakness zone, mathematical model, land seismology, reflected waves, diffracted waves, common depth point method, diffracted wave method.
For citation:

Glukhov А. А., Antsiferov А. V., Golubev P. М. Modeling seismic experiments for weakness zone prediction in rock mass above mined-out voids. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2025;(11):87-98. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2025_11_0_87.

Acknowledgements:

The study was carried out at RANIMI in the framework of the state contract, state registration no. 124061700022-3.

Issue number: 11
Year: 2025
Page number: 87-98
ISBN: 0236-1493
UDK: 550.834:622.12
DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2025_11_0_87
Article receipt date: 03.07.2025
Date of review receipt: 31.07.2025
Date of the editorial board′s decision on the article′s publishing: 10.10.2025
About authors:

А.А. Glukhov1, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Senior Researcher, Deputy Director for Scientific Work, e-mail: glukhov1964@yandex.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-9816-5628,
А.V. Antsiferov1, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Scientific Director, e-mail: antsyferov_av@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0009-0008-0684-6513,
P.М. Golubev1, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Head of Department for Geodynamic and Geophysical Processes, e-mail: alaby007@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0009-0008-5093-4916,
1 Republican Academic Scientific, Research and Design Institute for Mining Geology, Geomechanics, Geophysics and Mine Surveying (RANIMI), 283086, Donetsk, Russia. 

For contacts:

А.А. Glukhov, e-mail: glukhov1964@yandex.ru.

Bibliography:

1. Dresen L. Seismic coal exploration, Part B, Seismics: Handbook of geophysical exploration. Pergamon, 1994, 486 p.

2. Zakharov V. N., Averin A. P., Vartanov S. A. Analysis of ray tomography algorithms to predict disturbance of the extraction pillar. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2010, no. 3, pp. 183—190. [In Russ].

3. Sokolov S. V., Saltymakov E. A., Kormin A. N. Integrated geophysical research of coal measures conditions in the Kuznetsk Basin. Bulletin of the Kuzbass State Technical University. 2017, no. 2, pp. 66—70. [In Russ].

4. Pisarenko M. V., Tajlakov O. V., Sokolov S. V., Kolmakova A. A. On predicting low-amplitude disturbance of coal seams. News of the Tula state university. Sciences of Earth. 2022, no. 2, pp. 356—366. [In Russ].DOI: 10.46689/2218-5194-2022-2-1-356-366.

5. Tajlakov O. V., Utkaev E. A., Sokolov S. V., Saltymakov E. A., Makeev M. P. Stability control of degassing wells and the process of hydraulic fracturing of the coal seam in geophysical observations. Ugol'. 2024, no. S11(1187), pp. 152—156. [In Russ].DOI: 10.18796/0041-5790-2024-11S-152-156.

6. Lu Jun, Meng Xinghun, Wang Yun, Yang Zhen Prediction of coal seam details and mining safety using multicomponent seismic data: A case history from China. Geophysics. 2016, vol. 81, pp. 149—165. DOI: 10.1190/geo2016-0009.1.

7. Hongliang W., Maochen G. Seismic wave propagation in coal seams: Finite element modeling and field tests. International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering. 2014, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 229—385. DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2014.064482.

8. Teng Jiwen, Li Songying, Jia Mingkui, Lian Jie, Liu Honglei, Liu Guodong, Wang Wei, Schape Volker, Feng Lei, Yao Xiaoshuai, Wang Kang, Yan Yafen, Zhang Wanpeng Research and application of in-seam seismic survey technology for disaster causing potential geology anomalous body in coal seam. Acta Geologica Sinica. 2019, vol. 94, no. 2, pp. 199—211. DOI: 10.1111/1755-6724.14372.

9. Cai Wu, Dou Linming, Cao Anye, Gong Siyuan Application of seismic velocity tomography in underground coal mines: A case study of Yima mining area, Henan, China. Journal of Applied Geophysics. 2014, vol. 109, pp. 140—149.

10. Shepe F. Seismic approach to studying geological structure of coal measures aided by the SUMMIT II EX system. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2012, no. 10, pp. 145—154. [In Russ].

11. Schott W., Waclawik W. On the quantitative determination of coal seam thickness by means of in-seam seismic surveys. Canadian Geotechnical Journal. 2015, vol. 52, pp. 1—9. DOI: 10.1139/cgj2014-0466.

12. Waclawik P., Schott W. Utilization of innovation of the ISS method — in seam seismics at the CSM Mine. Gornicze zagrozenia naturalne. 2011, vol. 2, pp. 517—524.

13. Greenhalgh S. A., Masonz I. M., Sinadinovski C. In-mine seismic delineation of mineralization and rock structure. Geophysics. 2016, vol. 65, no. 6, pp. 1908—1919. DOI: 10.1190/1.1444875.

14. Glukhov A. A. Algorithm of the diffracted wave method for predicting disjunctivities of coal seams. Zhurnal teoreticheskoy i prikladnoy mekhaniki. 2021, no. 1 (74), pp. 73—82.[In Russ].

15. Minaev V. A., Faddeev A. O., Abramova A.V., Pavlova S. A. Mathematical modeling of seismic risks. Spetstekhnika i svyaz'. 2013, no. 5, pp. 58—63. [In Russ].

16. Kashnikov Yu. A., Shustov D. V., Yakimov S. Yu. Accounting of the geomechanical state of a fractured-pore reservoir in hydrodynamic modeling. Journal of Mining Institute. 2025, vol. 271, pp. 42—52. [In Russ].

17. Prigara A. M., Zhukov A. A., Tsarev R. I., Kashnikov Yu. A. Solving the problems of operational exploration and improving the safety of mining operations using mine seismic exploration by the PVRO method. Gornyi Zhurnal. 2021, no. 4, pp. 23—27. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.17580/gzh.2021.04.02.

18. Ryskin M. I. Physico-geological modeling as a basis for the geological interpretation of a complex of geophysical data. Izvestiya of Saratov University. Earth Sciences. 2014, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 87—96. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.18500/1819-7663-2014-14-1-87-96.

19. Baibakova T. V. Complex interpretation of shallow-depth seismic data in difficult mining and geological conditions. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2014, no. 1, pp. 113—119. [In Russ].

20. Baryakh A. A., Sanfirov I. A., Dyakonov M. V. Lobanov S. Yu., Nikiforova A. I. Information support for geomechanical calculations of the stability of a depleted rock mass with a complex tectonic structure. Russian Journal of Earth Sciences. 2024, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. ES1005. DOI: 10.2205/2024ES000894.

21. Nikiforova A. I. Results of seismostratigraphic interpretation of shallow-depth seismic survey data. Gornoe ekho. 2023, no. 2(91), pp. 55—59. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.7242/echo.2023.2.10.

22. Glukhov A. A. Analysis of seismic exploration methods informativity for predicting the location of areas of probable methane accumulation. Transactions of RANIMI. 2023, no. 23 (38), pp. 9—20. [In Russ].

Подписка на рассылку

Подпишитесь на рассылку, чтобы получать важную информацию для авторов и рецензентов.