Ground subsidence mechanism of a filling mine with a steeply inclined ore body

Long-term field monitoring finds that serious surface subsidence can still occur even if the high strength cemented fill method is adopted.Combining the results of numerical simulations with global position system(GPS)monitoring,we took a typical filling mining mine with a steeply inclined ore body as an example,and explored its ground subsidence mechanism.The results show that the ground subsidence caused by the mining of steep ore body is characterized by two settlement centers and a significantly uneven spatial distribution,which is visibly different from ground subsidence characteristic of the coal mine.The subsidence on the hanging wall is much larger than that on the footwall,and the settlement center tends to move to the hanging wall with the increase of mining depth.The backfill improves the strength and surrounding rock bearing capacity,which leads to a lag of about 3 years of the subsidence.However,under the actions of continuous and repeated mining disturbances,the supporting effect of the backfill can only reduce the amplitude of the deformation,but it cannot prevent the occurrence of settlement.

Analysis of factors and countermeasures of mining subsidence in Kaiyang Phosphorus Mine

Ground crack and subsidence were investigated in Kaiyang Phosphorus Mine as an example. Contribution factors to cause ground crack and mining subsidence were studied, including mining method, mining depth and ore thickness and stope size, dip angle of orebody, geological structure, nature of overburden and water contents, and roof supports, etc. Countermeasures against cracks and subsidence were put forward. The uniaxial compressive strength of compounded phosphorus gypsum after 28 d of curing period was tested to be more than 1 MPa. Phosphorus gypsum can be used as materials for the backfill of stope. By comparison and numerical simulation, cut and fill mining method with middle-deep drilling holes and ore transportation by blasting force was selected as the optimum mining method in Kaiyang Phosphorus Mine.

Analysis of main factors in partial mining subsidence

The partial mining subsidence is a technical method widely used in the mining under buildings. How to calculate the subsidence caused by the partial mining is the key to use this method. By using the numerical calculation method, the main factors affecting the subsidence caused by the partial mining were analyzed, which include the recovery ratio of the partial mining, the width of the mined strip, the thickness and the depth of the mined seam, the conditions of the overburden. The relationship between the partial mining subsidence and the main factors was given according to the calculated results, which provides a theory basis for design and application of the partial mining.

Analysing the Influencing Factors of a Postgenetic Subsidence Doline’s Development Using Model Experiments

The subsidence dolines are the most common surface forms of the concealed karsts.One type of these dolines is the suffosion doline.In this model experiment the influential role of these kind of dolines’development factors were analyzed.The aim of the study was to determine the significance of the parameters(cover thickness,secondary porosity of the bedrock,chimney diameter,grain size)that influence the development of a suffosion doline.To study the influencing factors numerous(162)experiments were made with different parameters,in a manner that during the experiments we changed only one parameter,so the effects of it would be detectable from the final solution.These measurements were made with the use of a special tool,designed and built for this purpose.According to the data we gained from the model experiments,the development of a suffosion doline is influenced by many parameters.If these parameters are in an optimal connection to each other,a suffosion doline may appear on the surface.Knowing these parameters of the covered karstic depressions lets us estimate other parameters that may influence the development of the subsidence dolines.

Depreciation factor equation to evaluate the economic losses from ground failure due to subsidence related to groundwater withdrawal

Subsidence due to groundwater withdrawal is a complex hydrogeological process affecting numerous cities settled on top of fluviolacustrine deposits. The discrete spatial variation in the thickness of these deposits, in combination with subsidence due to groundwater withdrawal, generates differential settlements and aseismic ground failure (AGF) characterized by a welldefined scarp. In cities, such AGF causes severe damages to urban infrastructure and considerable economic impact. With the goal of arriving to a general criterion for evaluating the economic losses derived from AGF, in the present work we propose the following equation: ELi = PVi*DFi. Where PVi is the value of a property “i”, and DFi is a depreciation factor caused by structural damages of a property “i” due to AGF. The DFi is calculated empirically through: . This last equation is based on the spatial relations of coexistence and proximity of property polygons and the AGF axis. The coexistence is valued as the quotient of the affectation area divided by the total area of the involved property;and the proximity to the AGF axis is expressed as the inverse of the perpendicular distance from the centroid of the property polygon to the AGF axis. The sum of these terms is divided by two to determine the percentage that affects the property value (PVi). These equations are relevant because it is the first indicator designed for the discrete assessment of the economic impacts due to AGF, and can be applied to real estate infrastructure from either urban or rural areas.

Subsidence rules of underground layer thickness： Lu＇an Coal Base coal mines for different soil as an example, China

Damage caused by underground coal mining is a serious problem in mining areas in China; therefore, studying and obtaining the rules of ground movement and deformation under different geological conditions is of great importance. The numerical software ANSYS was used in this study to simulate mining processes under two special geological conditions： （1） thick unconsolidated soil layer and thin bedrock; （2） thin soil layer and thick bedrock. The rules for ground movement and deformation for different soil layer to bedrock ratios were obtained. On the basis of these rules, a prediction parameter modified model of the influence function was proposed, which is suitable for different values of unconsolidated soil layer thickness. The prediction results were verified using two sets of typical field data.

Relationship between surface subsidence factor and mining depth of strip pillar mining

Strip pillar mining is one of the most important technical measures to control mining subsidence in China. Mining depth is one of the most important factors that can affect the mining subsidence in strip pillar mining. Six numerical simulation models were set up to simulate the surface subsidence of strip pillar mining in different mining depths. The mining depth in these six models ranges from 300 to 800 m. The simulated results were compared and analyzed. The formula was established based on the simulated results. It demonstrated that the subsidence of strip pillar mining method is related to mining depth. While the other conditions are the same, the subsidence of strip pillar mining increases with the increase of mining depth by logarithmic relationship.

Mathematical simulation and observation of ground subsidence basin in coal mining area

Based on a great amount of practically observational data and by computer simulation, a formula for estimating the ground subsidence caused by coal mining was derived. Meanwhile, an empirical mathematical model for ground subsidence basin in coal mining was given.

Finite Element Numerical Simulation of Ground Subsidence in Liangjia Colliery

Being aimed at the ground subsidence due to underground coal mining,a numerical model of rock was established and an appropriate method of numerical simulation was put forward.Using the measured subsidence data on the ground,the equivalent mechanical parameters of the rock stratums can be back-calculated by the properly treatment of coal excavation area,then the ground subsidence of other coal mining area can be predicted by FFM.It provided reference for the treatment of the buildings on the ground of this colliery.

Seepage effects of groundwater and its make-up water on triggering ground subsidence

The functioning mechanism of groundwater and its make-up water in the process of ground subsidence was studied from such three aspects as osmotic corrasion, osmotic pressure effect and concretion effect, As to osmotic corrasion, its forming conditions, mechanical mechanism and process were analyzed, As to osmotic pressure effect, it was mainly studied from hydrostatic pressurizing effect, sop softening effect and negative pressure sealing effect. Through concretion and saturation of soil, the factors of concretion settlement were analyzed. The results showed that both groundwater and its make-up water are important triggering factors to ground subsidence.

The role of potential soil cavity on ground subsidence and collapse in coal mining area

Based on five basic assumptions, of the ground subsidence and collapse was using theoretical analysis method, the nature revealed from the mechanics point. Divided into four phases as groundwater level descent, soil cavity formation, soil cavity expansion, and ground collapse emersion, the whole process of ground subsidence and collapse was analyzed in detail. The study shows that ground subsidence and collapse is the macro- scopic performance and inevitable result of the soil cavity expansion and development, and the dynamic mechanics is the spalling force induced by the groundwater falling. The activities of underground water play a very important role in the process from the formation of soil cavity to the production of ground subsidence.

Main geological and mining factors affecting ground cracks induced by underground coal mining in Shanxi Province, China

As one of the largest coal-rich provinces in China,Shanxi has extensive underground coal-mining operations.These operations have caused numerous ground cracks and substantial environmental damage.To study the main geological and mining factors influencing mining-related ground cracks in Shanxi,a detailed investigation was conducted on 13 mining-induced surface cracks in Shanxi.Based on the results,the degrees of damage at the study sites were empirically classified into serious,moderate,and minor,and the influential geological and mining factors(e.g.,proportions of loess and sandstone in the mining depth,ratio of rock thickness to mining thickness,and ground slope)were discussed.According to the analysis results,three factors(proportion of loess,ratio of rock thickness to mining thickness,and ground slope)play a decisive role in ground cracks and can be respectively considered as the critical material,mechanical,and geometric conditions for the occurrence of mining surface disasters.Together,these three factors have a strong influence on the occurrence of serious discontinuous ground deformation.The results can be applied to help prevent and control ground damage caused by coal mining.The findings also provide a direct reference for predicting and eliminating hidden ground hazards in mining areas.

Strength reduction factors for seismic analyses of buildings exposed to near-fault ground motions

To estimate the near-fault inelastic response spectra, the accuracy of six existing strength reduction factors （R） proposed by different investigators were evaluated by using a suite of near-fault earthquake records with directivity-induced pulses. In the evaluation, the force-deformation relationship is modelled by elastic-perfectly plastic, bilinear and stiffness degrading models, and two site conditions, rock and soil, are considered. The R-value ratio （ratio of the R value obtained from the existing R-expressions （or the R-p-T relationships） to that from inelastic analyses） is used as a measurement parameter. Results show that the R-expressions proposed by Ordaz ＆ Perez-Rocha are the most suitable for near-fault ground motions, followed by the Newmark ＆ Hall and the Berrill et al. relationships. Based on an analysis using the near-fault ground motion dataset, new expressions of R that consider the effects of site conditions are presented and verified.

Land subsidence induced by groundwater extraction and building damage level assessment—a case study of Datun, China

As in many parts of the world, long-term excessive extraction of groundwater has caused significant land-surface sub- sidence in the residential areas of Datun coal mining district in East China. The recorded maximum level of subsidence in the area since 1976 to 2006 is 863 mm, and the area with an accumulative subsidence more than 200 mm has reached 33.1 km2 by the end of 2006. Over ten cases of building crack due to ground subsidence have already been observed. Spatial variation in ground subsi- dence often leads to a corresponding pattern of ground deformation. Buildings and underground infrastructures have been under a higher risk of damage in locations with greater differential ground deformation. Governmental guideline in China classifies build- ing damages into four different levels, based on the observable measures such as the width of wall crack, the degree of door and window deformation, the degree of wall inclination and the degree of structural destruction. Building damage level (BDL) is esti- mated by means of ground deformation analysis in terms of variations in slope gradient and curvature. Ground deformation analysis in terms of variations in slope gradient has shown that the areas of BDL III and BDL II sites account for about 0.013 km2 and 0.284 km2 respectively in 2006, and the predicted areas of BDL (define this first) III and II sites will be about 0.029 km2 and 0.423 km2 respectively by 2010. The situation is getting worse as subsidence continues. That calls for effective strategies for subsidence miti- gation and damage reduction, in terms of sustainable groundwater extraction, enhanced monitoring and the establishment of early warning systems.

Ground Subsidence in Areas of Loose Porous Aquifers

Groundwater is one of the important water resources in northern China's plain areas. Many severe geological hazards have occurred in these areas due to ground subsidence which is caused by over exploitation of groundwater. This paper introduces and analyses the ground subsidence caused by groundwater exploitation and its mechanism in the northern China's plains. A ground subsidence prediction model has been developed based on the consolidation theory. The authors have tested this model in a case study of Fuyang City, Anhui Province, where ground subsidence is a severe environmental problem. In the case study, the model results match very well with those of the actual measurement. Two schemes of groundwater exploitation are assessed. The conclusion from the study could be used in the long-term water and economical management planning. The strategies for the control of ground subsidence are discussed.

Monitoring of reclamation-induced ground subsidence in Macao (China) using PSInSAR technique

The long-term reclamation-induced ground subsidence in Macao, a coastal city of southern China was investigated. Persistent scatterer interferometry (PSI) technique was applied to retrieve the deformation rate in Macao during the period from April 2003 to August 2010 with a total of 41 scenes of descending ASAR data sets. The PSI-retrieved results show a relatively stable pattern in Macao Peninsula, Taipa Island and Coloane Island, with an average subsidence velocity of -3 mm/a. In contrast, relatively large subsidence rates are highlighted in Cotai area, a new reclamation land in 1990s, in which an average subsidence velocity is about -10 mm/a. A consistent relationship between the PSI results and the leveling measurements indicate that this PSI technique is an effective tool to monitor the reclamation-induced ground subsidence with a high accuracy and adequate spatial details. Accordingly, the valuable ground subsidence results generated by PSI can be used not only for early detection and remedial activities of potential settlement of building, but also for helping the local government to formulate regional sustainable development planning and decision-making in disaster prevention and mitigation.

3D FE Analysis of Effect of Ground Subsidence and Piled Spacing on Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Piled Raft and Axial Force of Piles in Piled Raft

The effects of ground subsidence and piled spacing on axial force of piles in squared piled rafts were investigated using numerical analysis. Two cases of piled rafts in soft clay including case 1 (s = 2d) and case 2 (s = 4d) with s and d were piled spacing and piled diameter respectively were considered in this study. Undrained (without ground water pumping) and drained (with ground water pumping) conditions were applied in each case in order to evaluate variations of ultimate bearing capacity of piled raft and axial force of the piles in piled raft. The results showed that ultimate bearing capacity increased about 25% for undrained condition and about 32% for drained condition when piled spacing increased from 2d to 4d. In the same piled spacing, axial force of the piles increased about 9% for piled spacing of 2d and 7% for piled spacing of 4d when drained condition was applied. When piled spacing increased 2 times (2d to 4d), the axial force of piles increased about 7% for undrained condition and about 5% for drained condition.

Field Investigation and FEM Analysis of Ground Subsidence in a Chinese Underground Gold Mine

Ground subsidence in a Chinese underground gold mine is remarkable. To find out reasons and regularities of the subsidence, following research work was carried out: (1) systemetical investigations of engineering geological conditions, including in situ stress sta- te, locstion and size of old river beds, ponds and unfilled mined-out areas, (2) in situ monitoring of strata movement by multi-point ex tensometers in 3 vertical boreholes; (3) FEM (Finite Element Method) analysis to study the relationship between the ground subsidence and mining excavation, especially to inspect the influence of unfilled mined-out areas at shallow depth on the subsidence. Based on the research results, measures to control the ground subsidence and to prevent buildings from damage are provided.

Practice and technical approach of GPS observation of mining-induced ground subsidence

The base vector between 2 poins and a high-precision geodetic height difference can be obtained by GPS. If the geodetic height of a point is known, the geodetic height of each observation point in a net can be obtained. When surveying the subsidence value in the mining-induced ground subsidence, the change of the height of monitoring point is needed. On the above theoretical basis, the problem involved in GPS observation of mining-induced ground subsidence and their counter measures were discussed, and an introduction was made that the subsidence value obtained in the monitoring mining-induced ground subsidence can use the change of height of geodetic as a alternative, the result of check on the accuracy and reliability of repetitions observations was analysed. Finally, the effect of errors on accuracy of GPS observation and their reduction measures were elaborated.

Study on Ground Fissures and Land Subsidence Induced by Seepage Deformation in Xi'an

There are lots of theories about the causation of ground fissures in Xi’an,such as the tectonics theory,the excessive groundwater exploitation theory and the compositive theory. Based on the construction of the geologic environment monitoring network in Guanzhong urban agglomeration,the latest survey of ground fissures and land subsidence in Yuhuazhai in Xi’an shows that the extensive piping and quicksand in self-supply wells is a factor to induce ground fissures and land subsidence. It is suggested that the seepage deformation caused by high hydraulic gradient leads to sand gushing and changes some aquifers into the composite aquifer,which is the main factor to induce ground fissures and land subsidence. The development characteristics of ground fissures and land subsidence caused by seepage deformation were summarized. The results will supply new schemes and methods for the causation of land subsidence and ground fissures in Xi’an and lay out a clear road map of measures to control land subsidence and ground fissures.