Water inrush in mines as a consequence of spontaneous hydrofracture

The authors review water inrushes in mines as a consequence of spontaneous hydrofracturing of surrounding rocks. In the developed hydrofracture model, the fracture grows under the pressure of underground water in the area of reduction in mining-induced stresses. The model includes two criteria of fracture growth—critical extension of rocks at the fracture tip and opening of fracture throughout the length. It is found that spontaneous hydrofracturing is conditioned by natural and induced stresses, hydrostatic pressure of underground water and by mining sequence.