Investigating the Role of Foliation in Strain Bursts Using Seismic Moment Tensor Inversion and Advanced Numerical Modeling

Strain burst incidents represent a significant challenge to safety and operational continuity within underground mining environments. These events not only endanger the lives of miners but also jeopardize infrastructure integrity, resulting in severe injuries, fatalities, and extensive financial losses. An understanding of the causes underlying strain bursts, particularly their relationship with foliation, is critical for effective prevention and hazard mitigation strategies, which have rarely been investigated. This study integrates Seismic Moment Tensor Inversion (SMTI) and advanced numerical modeling to examine the influence of foliation on strain bursts in underground mining. SMTI is used to analyze failure mechanisms associated with strain bursts, while numerical modeling, employing the Improved Unified Constitutive Model (IUCM), assesses energy release and volumetric strain as indicators of strain burst potential zones. The findings are validated through a case study in a deep Australian mine and additional examples from Canadian mines.