Research and application of seam wave-based advanced detection technology for geological structures right ahead of mining face during roadway tunneling in coal mines

To address the challenges faced by the advanced detection of geological structures right ahead of the mining face during roadway tunneling, this study investigated the feasibility of in-seam seismic exploration technology. Based on theoretical foundation and data processing methods of seam wave-based advanced detection, as well as simulations using the high-order staggered-grid finite-difference algorithm, this study compared the fault detection accuracy of three imaging methods: envelope stacking, diffraction migration, and elliptical arc migration. The results indicate that for faults with high dip angles, the envelope stacking method fails to represent the true fault locations, necessitating migration correction for accurate spatial positioning. Additionally, the accuracy of the imaging velocity significantly affects the imaging results. In the case of an identical velocity error, the diffraction migration method outperforms in revealing fault locations during roadway tunneling, while the elliptical arc migration method exhibits superior performance in determining fault strikes. The practical application demonstrates that in areas with high-quality seam wave data, all three imaging methods can effectively detect faults in advance. For areas with low-quality seam wave data, the combination of envelope stacking and migration correction is recommended for fault imaging. This study provides a significant technical reference and methodological guidance for seam wave-based advanced detection, indicating that the proposed method can provide a reliable basis for the adjustment of roadway tunneling plans, as well as the prevention and control of geological hazards.