Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

ISRM Suggested Method for In Situ Microseismic Monitoring of the Fracturing Process in Rock Masses

  • ISRM Suggested Method
  • Published:
Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this ISRM Suggested Method is to describe a methodology for in situ microseismic monitoring of the rock mass fracturing processes occurring as a result of excavations for rock slopes, tunnels, or large caverns in the fields of civil, hydraulic, or mining engineering. In this Suggested Method, the equipment that is required for a microseismic monitoring system is described; the procedures are outlined and illustrated, together with the methods for data acquisition and processing for improving the monitoring results. There is an explanation of the methods for presenting and interpreting the results, and recommendations are supported by several examples.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
Fig. 23
Fig. 24
Fig. 25
Fig. 26

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aki K, Richards PG (2002) Quantitative Seismology. University Science Books, California

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolstad DD (1990) Rockburst control research by the U.S. Bureau of Mines. Proc 2rd Int Symp on Rockbursts and Seismicity in Mines, A.A.Balkema, Rotterdam. pp 371-375

  • Cai M, Kaiser PK, Martin CD (1998) A tensile model for the interpretation of microseismic events near underground openings. Pure appl Geophys 153:67–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai M, Kaiser PK, Morioka H, Minami M, Maejima T, Tasaka Y, Kurose H (2007) FLAC/PFC coupled numerical simulation of AE in large-scale underground excavations. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 44:550–564

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen BR, Li QP, Feng XT, Xiao YX, Feng GL, Hu LX (2014) Microseismic monitoring of columnar jointed basalt fracture activity: a trial at the Baihetan Hydropower Station, China. J Seismol 18:773–793

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cook NGW (1963) The seismic location of rockbursts. Pergamon Press, In Proc Fifth Symp Rock Mech, pp 493–516

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook NGW (1964) The application of seismic techniques to problems in rock mechanics. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 1:169–179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Durrheim RJ (2010) Mitigating the risk of rockbursts in the deep hard rock mines of South Africa: 100 years of research. In Extracting the Science: a century of mining research, Brune J (eds), Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., pp 156–171

  • Durrheim RJ, Cichowicz A, Ebrahim-Trollope R, Essrich F, Goldbach O, Linzer LM, Spottiswoode SM, Stankiewicz T (2007) Guidelines, standards and best practice for seismic hazard assessment and rockburst risk management in South African mines. Proceeding of the 4th international seminar on deep and high stress mining, Perth, Australia. pp 249–261

  • Durrheim RJ, Ogasawara H, Nakatani M, Yabe Y, Kawakata H, Naoi M, Ward AK, Murpgh SK, Wienand J, Lenegan P, Milev AM, Murakami O, Yoshimitsu N, Kgarume T, Cichowicz A (2012) Establishment of SATREPS experimental sites in South African gold mines to monitor phenomena associated with earthquake nucleation and rupture. Deep Mining, Perth, pp 173–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Feignier B, Young RP (1992) Moment tensor inversion of induced microseismic events: evidence of non-shear failures in the −4 < M<−2 moment magnitude range. Geophys Res Lett 19:1503–1506

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feng XT, Chen BR, Li SJ, Zhang CQ, Xiao YX, Feng GL, Zhou H, Qiu SL, Zhao ZN, Yu Y, Chen DF, Ming HJ (2012) Studies on the evolution process of rockbursts in deep tunnels. J Rock Mech Geo Eng 4:289–295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feng XT, Chen BR, Zhang CQ, Li SJ, Wu SY (2013a) Mechanism, warning and dynamic control of rockbursts development processes. Science Press, Beijing (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Feng XT, Li SJ, Chen BR, Jiang Q (2013b) Report on comprehensive observation test and feedback analysis of the whole failure process of columnar joints basalt under excavation, in the diversion tunnel of Jinsha River hydropower station. Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, the Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan (in Chinese)

  • Fujii Y, Ishijima Y, Deguchi G (1997) Prediction of coal face rockbursts and microseismicity in deep longwall coal mining. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 34:85–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ge MC (2005) Efficient mine microseismic monitoring. Int J Coal Geol 64:44–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibowicz SJ, Kijko A (1994) An introduction to mining seismology. Academic Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibowicz SJ, Young RP, Talebi S, Rawlence DJ (1991) Source parameters of seismic events at the Underground Research Laboratory in Manitoba, Canada: scaling relations for events with moment magnitude smaller than -2. Bull Seismol Soc Am 81:1157–1182

    Google Scholar 

  • Gong SY, Dou LM, Cao AY, He H, Du TT, Jiang H (2010) Study on optimal configuration of seismological observation network for coal mine. Chin J Geophys 53:457–465 (in Chinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanks TC, Kanamori HA (1979) A moment magnitude scale. J Geophys Res 84:2348–2350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanyga A (1991) Implicit curve tracing and point-to-curve ray tracing. University of Bergen, Seismological Observatory

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirata A, Kameoka Y, Hirano T (2007) Safety management based on detection of possible rock bursts by AE monitoring during tunnel excavation. Rock Mech Rock Eng 40:563–576

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Julian B, Gubbins D (1997) Three-dimensional seismic ray tracing. J Geophy Res 43:95–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser PK, Tannant DD, McCreath DR (1996) Canadian rockburst support hand book. Geomechanics Research Centre, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario

    Google Scholar 

  • Keilis-Borok VI (1959) On estimation of the displacement in an earthquake source and of source dimensions. Ann Geofis 12:205–214

    Google Scholar 

  • Kijko A (1977) An algorithm for the optimum distribution of a regional seismic network-II:an analysis of the accuracy of location of local earthquakes depending on the number of seismic stations. Pageoph 115:1011–1021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King GCP (1978) Geological faults, fractures, creep and strain. Philosop Trans Royal Soc London Math Phy Sci 288:197–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lesniak A, Isakow Z (2009) Space–time clustering of seismic events and hazard assessment in the Zabrze-Bielszowice coal mine, Poland. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 46:918–928

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li T, Mei TT, Sun XH, Lv YG, Sheng JQ, Cai M (2013) A study on a water-inrush incident at Laohutai coalmine. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 59:151–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu JP, Feng XT, Li YH, Xu SD, Sheng Y (2013) Studies on temporal and spatial variation of microseismic activities in a deep metal mine. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 60:171–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Luo X, Yu KJ, Hatherly P, Zhang X (2001) Microseismic monitoring of rock fracturing under aquifers in longwall coal mining. Proceedings of the 71st SEG Annual Meeting, St Antonio, USA. pp 1521–1524

  • Luo X, Creighton A, Gough J (2010) Passive seismic monitoring of minescale geothermal activity—a trial at Lihir Mine for mine risk management. Pure appl Geophys 167:119–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lynch RA (2007) Microseismic monitoring of open pit mines. ISS International Limited

  • Lynch RA, Wuite R, Smith BS, Cichowicz A (2005) Microseismic monitoring of open pit slopes. Proc 6th Int Symp on Rockbursts and Seismicity in Mines, 9–11 March 2005, Perth, Australian. pp 581–592

  • Mallet S (1999) A wavelet tour of signal processing, 2nd edn. Academic Press, Waltham

    Google Scholar 

  • Manthei G, Eisenblätter J (2008) Acoustic Emission in Study of Rock Stability. In: Grosse CU, Ohtsu M (eds) Acoustic Emission Testing, Springer, Berlin. pp 239–310

  • Martin CD, Read RS, Martino JB (1997) Observation of brittle failure around a circular test tunnel. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 34:1065–1073

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maurer H, Curtis A, Boerner DE (2010) Recent advances in optimized geophysical survey design. Geophys 75:75A177–75A194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McGarr A, Boettcher M, Fletcher JB, Johnston MJS, Durrheim RJ, Spottiswoode SM, Milev A (2009) A deployment of broadband seismic stations in two deep gold mines, South Africa. Bull Seism Soc Am 99:2815–2824

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mendecki AJ (1993) Real time quantitative seismology in mines. Proc 3rd Int Symp on Rockbursts and Seismicity in Mines, A. A. Balkema, Rotterdam. pp 287–295

  • Mendecki AJ (1997) Seismic monitoring in mines. Chapman and Hall, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendecki AJ, Lynch RA, Malovichko DA (2007) Routine seismic monitoring in mines. VNIMI Seminar on seismic monitoring in Mines

  • Milev AM, Spottiswoode SM, Rorke AJ, Finnie GJ (2001) Seismic monitoring of a simulated rockburst on a wall of an underground tunnel. J S Afr I Min Metall 101:253–260

    Google Scholar 

  • Mutke G, Stec K (1997) Seismicity in the upper Silesian Coal Basin, Poland: strong regional seismic events. Proc 4th Int Symp on Rockbursts and Seismicity in Mines, A. A. Balkema, Rotterdam. pp 213-217

  • Occhiena C, Pirulli M, Scavia C (2014) A microseismic-based procedure for the detection of rock slope instabilities. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 69:67–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogasawara H, Sato S, Nishii S, Sumitomo N, Ishii H, Lio Y, Nakao S, Ando M, Takano M, Nagai N, Ohkura T, Kawakata H, Satoh T, Kusunose K, Cho A, Mendecki AJ, Cichowicz A, Green RWE, Kataka MO (2001) Semi-controlled seismogenic experiments in South African deep gold mines. Proc 5th Int Symp on Rockbursts and Seismicity in Mines, The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Johannesburg. pp 287–292

  • Oye V, Roth M (2003) Automated seismic event location for hydrocarbon reservoirs. Comput Geosci 29:851–863

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pattrick KW (1984) The instrumentation of seismic networks at Doornfontein gold mine. Proc 1st Int Symp on Rockbursts and Seismicity in Mines, South African Institute of Mining Metallurgy, Johannesburg. pp 337–340

  • Potvin Y, Hudyma MR (2001) Keynote address: Seismic monitoring in highly mechanized hardrock mines in Canada and Australia. Proc 5th Int Symp on Rockbursts and Seismicity in Mines, The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Johannesburg. pp 267–280

  • Rabinowitz N, Steinberg DM (1990) Optimal configuration of a seismographic network: a statistical approach. Bull Seismol Soc Am 80:187–196

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheepers JB (1984) The Klerksdorp seismic network—monitoring of seismic events and systems layout. Proc 1st Int Symp on Rockbursts and Seismicity in Mines, South African Institute of Mining Metallurgy, Johannesburg. pp 341–345

  • Scott DF, Williams TJ, Friedel MJ (1997) Investigation of a rock-burst site, Sunshine Mine, Kellogg, Idaho. Proc 4th Int Symp on Rockbursts and Seismicity in Mines, A. A. Balkema, Rotterdam. pp 311–315

  • Singh M, Kijko A, Durrheim RJ (2009) Seismotectonic models for South Africa: synthesis of geoscientific information, problems and way forward. Seismol Res Lett 80:71–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang CA, Wang JM, Zhang JJ (2010) Preliminary engineering application of microseismic monitoring technique to rockburst prediction in tunneling of Jinping II project. J Rock Mech Geo Eng 2:193–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trifu CI, Shumila V, Urbancic TI (1997) Space-time analysis of microseismicity and its potential for estimating seismic hazard in mines. Proc 4th Int Symp on Rockbursts and Seismicity in Mines, A.A Balkema, Rotterdam. pp 295–298

  • Trifu CI, Shumila V, Leslie I (2008) Application of joint seismic event location techniques at Chuquicamata open pit mine, Chile. Proceedings 5th International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining, 9–11 June 2008, Luleå, Sweden. pp 943–952

  • Trnkoczy A (2009) Understanding and parameter setting of STA/LTA trigger algorithm. In: Bormann P (ed) New Manual of Seismological Observatory Practice (NMSOP). Potsdam, Deutsches GFZ, pp 1–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Aswegen G, Butler A (1993) Applications of quantitative seismology in South African gold mines. Proc 3rd Int Symp on Rockbursts and Seismicity in Mines, A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam. pp 261–266

  • Vidale J (1988) Finite-difference calculation of travetimes. Bull Seism Soc Am 78:2062–2076

    Google Scholar 

  • Vinje V, Iversen E, Gjoystadl H (1993) Traveltime and amplitude estimation using wavefront construction. Geophysics 58:1157–1166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vladut TL, Lepper CM (1985) Early warning of slope instabilities by microseismic monitoring. Proc 4th Conference on Acoustic Emission/Microseismic Activity in Geological Structures and Materials, 22–24 October 1985, Pennsylvania. pp 511–529

  • Wesseloo J, Sweby GJ (2008) Microseismic monitoring of hard rock mine slopes. SHIRMS, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp 433–450

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu NW, Tang CA, Li LC, Zhou Z, Sha C, Liang ZZ, Yang JY (2011) Microseismic monitoring and stability analysis of the left bank slope in Jinping first stage hydropower station in southwestern China. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 48:950–963

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young RP, Collins DS (2001) Seismic studies of rock fracture at the Underground Research Laboratory, Canada. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 38:787–799

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young RP, Collins DS, Reyes-Montes JM, Baker C (2004) Quantification and interpretation of seismicity. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 41:1317–1327

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zang A, Wagner CF, Dresen G (1996) Acoustic emission, microstructure, and damage model of dry and wet sandstone stressed to failure. Geophys J Int 101:17507–17521

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zang A, Wagner CF, Stanchits S, Dresen G, Andresen R, Haidekker MA (1998) Source analysis of acoustic emissions in Aue granite cores under symmetric and asymmetric compressive loads. Geophys J Int 135:1113–1130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu LP, Ben-Zion Y (2013) Parametrization of general seismic potency and moment tensors for source inversion of seismic waveform data. Geophys J Int 194:839–843

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This ISRM Suggested Method has been tested at four headrace tunnels and water drainage tunnel at Jinping II hydropower station, tunnels at Baihetan hydropower station, Shizhuyuan mine, and Hongtoushan Copper Mine, China. Review and comments from Professor Luo Xun, Professor Ray Durrheim, Professor Arno Zang, Professor Resat Ulusay, five anonymous reviewers, and members of the ISRM Board 2015–2019 are appreciated.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China

    Ya-Xun Xiao, Xia-Ting Feng, Bing-Rui Chen & Guang-Liang Feng

  2. Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK

    John A. Hudson

  3. Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Safe Mining of Deep Metal Mines, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning, China

    Jian-Po Liu

Authors
  1. Ya-Xun Xiao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xia-Ting Feng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. John A. Hudson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Bing-Rui Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Guang-Liang Feng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jian-Po Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xia-Ting Feng.

Additional information

Please send any written comments on this ISRM Suggested Method to Prof. Resat Ulusay, President of the ISRM Commission on Testing Methods, Hacettepe University, Department of Geological Engineering, 06800 Beytepe, Ankara, Turkey.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Xiao, YX., Feng, XT., Hudson, J.A. et al. ISRM Suggested Method for In Situ Microseismic Monitoring of the Fracturing Process in Rock Masses. Rock Mech Rock Eng 49, 343–369 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-015-0859-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-015-0859-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation