Characteristics of electromagnetic radiation signal of coal and rock under uniaxial compression and its field application

Rockburst is a serious threat to the safety and efficiency of coal-mine production in China. Accurate monitoring and prediction of rockburst is an ongoing challenge in coal mining. Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) technology is a real-time and non-contact prediction method for changes in the mechanical parameters of coal or rock. In this paper, uniaxial compression testing of coal and rock samples was carried out, EMR data were collected and analysed from deformation to failure. The rescaled range (R/S) analysis method was applied to study the Hurst index of the EMR signals during the uniaxial compression test. The results showed that the higher the degree of deformation and failure, the larger the Hurst index. On the basis of the experimental and theoretical results, the Hurst index of the EMR signal during the ‘8.11’ rockburst in the Yuejin coal mine was analysed. The results showed that the Hurst index was low before the rockburst, and increased to 0.9 in the pre-rupture stage, then decreased 1–2 days before the rockburst. This suggests a correlation between EMR and the conditions leading to a rockburst event. Therefore, further study on the characteristics of EMR can contribute to development of early-warning technology for rockburst.