Pulsating hydro-fracturing (PHF) is a new technique on substantially increasing permeability in coal seam. However

few studies have considered the stress propagation and distribution of PHF in real formation. Combining with perfectly matched layer (PML) absorptive boundary and quasi-static confining loading technique

staggered-grid high-order difference numerical method is used to establish a dynamic and static response numerical model in infinite elastic formation with confining pressure. The peak value distribution of minor principal stress is investigated with different loading styles

confining pressures

frequencies

and amplitudes. Numerical results indicate that the transmission and interference effect of stress wave are the dominant factors which make the permeability-enhanced area of PHF is much larger than that of conventional fracturing. The frequency and amplitude are directly proportional to the PHF effect

but only the amplitude overtops a threshold value controlled by confining pressure

the permeability-enhanced area can be brought; the confining pressure is inversely proportional to the PHF effect

and the second principal stress is the dominant factor. When the second principal stress decreases from 3.5 MPa to 2.0 MPa

the permeability-enhanced area will increase 600% at most. Based on this numerical model

the dynamic and static stress response of PHF and conventional fracturing can be investigated

and its results will provide guidance to optimize the PHF technological parameters.