Numerical Modeling of Stress-Field Formation in a Coal–Rock Mass During Excavation near a Geological Fault

A method is presented for studying the influence of disjunctive geological faults on the formation of conditions that lead to gas-dynamic phenomena (GDP) during the ex-traction of outburst-prone coal seams. The methodology is based on numerical model-ing of the stress–strain state of the rock mass using the finite element method (FEM) to determine the magnitudes of principal stresses in the zone between the excavation and the fault. Based on the adopted coal–rock strength theory, areas of disturbed rock in-tegrity are identified, which are considered potentially hazardous in terms of sudden coal and gas outbursts. The results of modeling a real gas-dynamic event that occurred in an operating mine confirmed the applicability of the proposed approach for pre-dicting outburst-prone zones during excavations within disjunctive tectonic faults. The scientific novelty of this research lies in identifying the specific features of stress-field formation resulting from the interaction between natural geological faults and tech-nological disturbances induced by mining operations. On this basis, a method has been developed to detect potential zones of gas-dynamic manifestations. After validation under mine conditions, the proposed method can be recommended for practical im-plementation in the design and planning of mining operations to forecast and prevent GDP.