Abstract
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Definitions are not enough to allow accurate identification of failure mechanisms in practice
Different failure mechanisms have different risk indicators, different consequences and require different methods of prevention and control eg. we can’t manage the risk of gas outburst with our strata failure risk management plans
In order to successfully manage the risk of coalburst, we need to be able to identify it and differentiate it from other coal failure mechanisms (gas outburst, gravitational failure)
In order to build a high quality empirical database cases need to be recognised in practice so that high quality data can be collected at the time when they occur.
In an industry where there is limited understanding and awareness of the existence and nature of coalburst, many cases will be incorrectly identified and the risk will be poorly managed.
Some cases are clearly one mechanism (gravitational, gas outburst or coalburst), but many of the features of failures can have overlapping properties and can be hard to accurately identify.