Shear strain energy is a pivotal physical quantity in the occurrence of earthquakes and rockbursts during deep mining operations. This research is focused on understanding the changes in shear strain energy in the context of retreating longwall mining, which is essential for the optimized design and mitigation of rockbursts and seismic events. Through the application of innovative analytical models, this study expands its analytical range to include the variations in shear strain energy caused by fault coseismic slip. An integrated methodology is utilized, taking into account the changes in coseismic and fault friction parameters as well as enhancements in mining-induced stress and existing background stresses. Our numerical investigation highlights the significance of mining location and fault characteristics as key determinants of shear strain energy modifications. The analysis demonstrates significant spatial variability in shear strain energy, especially noting that fault slip near the mining face greatly increases the likelihood of rockburst. This finding emphasizes the need to integrate fault coseismic slip dynamics into the triggering factors of rock (coal) bursts, thus broadening the theoretical foundation for addressing geological hazards in deep mining operations. The results are further corroborated by observational data from the vicinity of the F16 fault zone, introducing the concept of mining-induced fault coseismic slip as an essential element in the theoretical framework for understanding rockburst triggers.

Assessing the risk of fault-slip rockburst is crucial for ensuring the safety of mining operations and effectively mitigating potential disasters. In this study, we propose an integrated 3-D numerical modeling framework combining the virtual fault (VF), 3-D Mohr–Coulomb criterion model (MC), and slip weakening model (SW) to investigate the dynamics of fault failure and coseismic slip induced by mining activities near faults. Our research focuses on the fault stress ratio (k) and how it responds to variables such as fault dip angle (φ), mining distance (D_m), fault frictional parameters (μ_s, μ_d, and D_c), and panel length (W_m) within a depth-dependent stress field. Our findings demonstrate that the k serves as a critical indicator of fault reactivity, with its sensitivity to φ and D_m, significantly heightening the potential for seismic activities. We found that footwall mining, in particular, affects fault stability more than hanging wall mining, often causing greater instability. Additionally, decreases in normal stress due to mining activities are found to be crucial in triggering fault reactivation and coseismic slip. The SW model reveals that k initially decreases with increasing slip and stabilizes as slip progresses, highlighting the critical role of evolving frictional properties in fault stability. Additionally, this study confirms that mining-induced fault slips exhibit self-similar behaviors analogous to natural faulting, with a proportional relationship between slip distribution and static stress drop, validated through robust numerical analysis. This study enhances the understanding of fault mechanics in mining-induced conditions and provides a robust framework for assessing seismic risks, offering practical insights for improving safety and stability in deep mining operations.