TITLE:
Research Progress on Tensor Analysis Applied in Mining Engineering
AUTHORS:
Weichao Xue
KEYWORDS:
Tensor Analysis, Mining Engineering, Moment Tensor Inversion, Fracture Characterization, Surrounding Rock Failure, Dynamic Disaster
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.16 No.7,
July
3,
2026
ABSTRACT: Rock mass in mining engineering is a discontinuous medium characterized by complex fracture networks and anisotropic mechanical behavior. Its deformation and failure mechanisms are closely related to the genesis of dynamic disasters in stopes. Tensors, as a mathematical tool capable of objectively describing the spatial direction and intrinsic relationships of physical quantities, provide a powerful theoretical framework for quantitatively characterizing the mechanical behavior of such complex systems. This paper systematically elaborates on the fundamental principles of tensor analysis and focuses on its cutting-edge applications in mining engineering. It highlights the inversion method for surrounding rock failure mechanisms based on moment tensor theory, including improvements to the Ohstu criterion and its application in analyzing irregular coal pillars and water inrush channels. It introduces the tensor characterization technology for coal-rock fractures based on CT scanning and ellipsoid model reconstruction, achieving quantitative description and fabric analysis of real complex fracture structures. Additionally, it outlines the application of tensor methods in other fields such as 3D roadway modeling, gravity/resistivity exploration, seismic data reconstruction, and stress field inversion. Through typical case analyses, the effectiveness and superiority of tensor analysis in revealing rock mass failure mechanisms and predicting dynamic disasters are confirmed. Finally, future research directions including multi-scale coupling, intelligence, and integration with multi-physical fields are prospected.