Influence of undulating fault surface properties on its seismic waves during fault-slip

Abstract

Seismic waves arising from fault-slips induced by mining activities in underground mines can inflict severe damage to mine openings. Laboratory experiments on the cataclastic rock-flour found on surfaces of mining-induced faults have revealed that intense shock pulses can arise due to the unloading of fault surface asperities during fault-slip. This paper focuses on investigating the effect of fault surface asperities on the intensity of the seismic waves. Dynamic modelling of fault-slip with a mine-wide model has revealed that particle velocity of the rockmass can increase substantially when unloading takes place. It is concluded that considering the occurrence of locally intense seismic waves is indispensable for optimising secondary support systems.

Keywords:

• fault-slip
• seismic waves
• peak particle velocity
• fault surface asperity
• dynamic analysis

Acknowledgement

This work is financially supported by a grant from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) – Discovery Grant Program, and McGill University (MEDA Fellowship Program) and the authors are grateful for this support.