Efficient underground mine support as a factor in reducing consequences of rock bursts

Anton I. Konurin
Chinakal Institute of Mining of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
Mining Industry Journal (Gornaya Promyshlennost) №5/ 2026 p. 135-141

Summary: The paper presents a finite element study aimed at a comparative assessment of support systems for underground excavations in burst-prone and highly stressed rock masses. The problem is relevant because failure of an underground opening under dynamic ground pressure is controlled not only by the strength of individual support elements, but also by the performance of the entire rock mass-support-surface retention system. The purpose of the study is to compare five support designs within a unified numerical framework under identical initial conditions. A three-dimensional finite element model of an arched excavation was used. The rock mass was described using an elastoplastic Mohr-Coulomb model, and three calculation scenarios were considered, i.e. the base high-stress state, a weakened near-contour zone, and an equivalent dynamic loading case. The support designs were compared by the roof and wall displacements, plastic zone size, stresses in the support elements, contact degradation length, and an integral efficiency index. The results show that the combined system consisting of energyabsorbing bolts and fibre-reinforced shotcrete provides the greatest reduction in displacements and damage of the surrounding rock mass. The base support system without special energy-absorbing elements is the most sensitive to weakening of the border zone and impulse loading. The proposed approach can be used for preliminary selection of support in burst-prone excavations and for execution of detailed design calculations. The novelty of the study lies in comparing five support systems using a unified set of quantitative criteria within one numerical model.

Keywords: rock burst, underground excavation, support system, energy-absorbing support, rock bolts, shotcrete, numerical modeling, finite element method, excavation stability

Acknowledgements: The study was supported by grant No.25-27-00034 of the Russian Science Foundation.

For citation: Konurin Anton I. Efficient underground mine support as a factor in reducing consequences of rock bursts. Mining Industry Journal (Gornaya Promyshlennost). 2026;(5):135–141. https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2026-5-135-141

Article info

Received: 30.05.2026

Revised: 22.06.2026

Accepted: 08.07.2026

Authors info

Konurin Anton I. – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Senior Researcher, Chinakal Institute of Mining of the Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3373-2382; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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