This paper presents a case study of investigations into retarded groundwater bursting along the fault zones in the seam floors in coal mines. In addition to in situ measurements of ground stresses, a number of rock samples from the fault zones at the site of the case study were taken, and laboratory tests were performed for conventional and special rheological rock mechanics properties. The effects of different parameters on deformation and failure of the fault zone materials were analyzed, and the mechanism of retarded groundwater bursting along fault zones was further revealed. In the case study, different scenarios accounting for the different development phases of the fault weakness zone and groundwater bursting as well as different groundwater pressures were considered, and each of them was simulated using the 3D visual elastic–plastic numerical mechanics model FLAC3D (Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua in 3 Dimensions). Through the case study, the applicability of rock mechanics modeling software for studying retarded groundwater bursting along a fault zone was examined. Several issues are discussed regarding the investigations of retarded groundwater bursting and a general structured approach to investigate and control this geological hazardous event is presented.

A conceptual framework for characterization of water bursting and discharge into underground mines with multi- layered groundwater flow systems is presented, based on the features of the site conditions and analyses of the water bursting and mine inundation events of the North China coal basin. Comprehensive analyses of the hydrogeological conditions for establishment of the three-dimensional groundwater flow systems of the North China coal basin revealed different vertical hydraulic connection paths or channels. These connections include karst collapse columns, fault or fracture zones, buried weathering zones, and fracture networks in aquitards, within the multi-layered groundwater flow systems. Also examined, was the effect of the primary features of the flow system and those different connection paths on water bursting and discharge into the underground coal mines. It was demonstrated that appropriately identifying and adequately understanding the three-dimensional multi-layered groundwater flow systems and those various vertical hydraulic connection mechanisms are critical for appropriately preventing water bursting hazards and predicting water discharge into underground mines. A valuable guideline is presented on characterization of water bursting and discharge into underground mines with multi-layered groundwater flow systems.

Based on interval grey number theory, a grey numerical model was developed to simulate groundwater ow in two-dimen- sional porous-medium aquifer. The solution method proposed in this paper ensures the integrity and va- lidity of the grey data transportation in the calculation processes. Because most of the parameters characteriz- ing groundwater ow are of grey nature, a grey model can better describe the groundwater ow than the traditional ‘‘white’’ model. The method was applied to evaluate the sustainable groundwater resource in a groundwater basin of north China. The results from the case study help develop the most appropriate approaches to utilize the water resources in the area.