Numerical simulation study on the evolutionary law of energy zones in deep-buried roadway excavation surrounding rock

Abstract Rockburst disasters in deep-buried roadways significantly threaten mine safety. To uncover the evolutionary laws of energy zoning, this paper employs analytical theory and numerical modeling to investigate the static distribution characteristics and dynamic energy evolution in deep-buried roadway surrounding rock. The near-field energy storage model for roadways is established, and the large-diameter drillhole pressure relief measures based on energy zoning is designed. The results are as follows: (i) after the formation of deep-buried roadways, the roof on both sides and the coal mass of the elastic zone in the deep region became energy storage zones, while the coal mass in the shallow plastic area became energy-release zones. Rockbursts release stored elastic energy, causing crack propagation and kinetic energy transfer. (ii) The surrounding rock was divided into release, transitional, and energy storage zones during roadway excavation. Exceeding energy storage limits triggered the instantaneous release of elastic energy, leading to rockbursts. (iii) The large-diameter pressure relief drillhole parameters designed based on the energy zoning range of roadway surrounding rock can effectively destroy the energy storage zone of roadway surrounding rock, improve the safety of working face mining, and have important engineering guiding significance for rock burst prevention.