Integration of Seismic Refraction and Fracture-Induced Electromagnetic Radiation Methods to Assess the Stability of the Roof in Mine-Workings

Abstract

This paper considers the joint use of two popular geophysical methods (fracture-induced electromagnetic radiation and seismic refraction tomography) to assess the stress-state in underground mine-workings. Such a combination of two indirect methods allows the identification of zones of increased stress in the rock along the axis of the mine-workings, and zones of intense weakening or disintegration in the rock massif above the roof of the mine-workings. The measurements of longitudinal and compressive wave speeds were used to calculate 2D sections of Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio to assess the rock mechanical properties in the vicinity of the mine-workings. It is shown that the anomalies of both elastic parameters correspond to those of fracture-induced electromagnetic radiation.