Experimental investigation on the fracture process and infrared radiation characteristics of structure rockburst under gradient loading

To investigate the macroscopic failure characteristics and infrared thermal imaging evolution of structure rockburst under gradient stress, gradient stress loading simulation tests were conducted using a true triaxial rockburst testing apparatus with combined gradient and hydraulic-pneumatic loading. Tests included three stress gradient coefficients and four structural surface angles. Macroscopic failure observations and infrared thermal imaging of the unloading surfaces were analyzed to understand the characteristics of structure rockburst and the influence of structural surfaces. Two infrared thermal imaging evolution parameters, the relative temperature mean (HRT) and the coefficient of variation (COV), were introduced to explore precursor indicators of structure rockburst. The results indicated that: (1) The dip angle of the structural surface (θ) and the stress gradient coefficient (k) both affect the peak stress during rockburst. (2) The structural surface angle significantly influences rockburst characteristics: θ = 30° or 60° results in shear slip-type rockbursts along or exposed on the structural surface, while θ = 0° or 90° manifests as buckling and tensile cracking-type rockbursts. (3) Infrared thermal imaging reveals that from initial loading to rockburst, temperature distribution transitions from uniform to normal, and then to non-normal. Accumulation of high-temperature points near rockburst indicates failure locations, with increased k intensifying non-normal distribution. (4) Peak values of HRT and COV positively correlate with k. (5) Fluctuations or sharp increases in HRT and COV values serve as precursors for predicting debris spalling and rockburst events.