Abstract

Ground subsidence due to underground coal mining is a complex, narrowly-understood phenomenon. Due to the complicated physical processes involved and the lack of a complete knowledge of the characteristics of overlying strata, the reliability of current prediction techniques varies widely. Furthermore, the accuracy of any given prediction technique is largely dependent upon the accuracy of field measurements and surveys which provide input data for the technique. A valuable resource available for predicting and modeling subsidence is aerial survey technology. This technology produces yearly datasets with a high density of survey points. The following study introduces a method wherein these survey points are converted into elevation plots and subsidence plots using GIS. This study also presents a method, titled the Type-Xi Integration method (TXI method), which improves upon a previous subsidence prediction technique. This method differs from the previous technique in that it incorporates accurate surface topography and considers irregular mine geometry, as well as seam thickness and overburden variations in its predictions. The TXI method also involves comparing predicted subsidence directly to measured subsidence from subsidence plots. In summary, this study illustrates a method of combining data from aerial survey points and mine geometry with subsidence models in order to improve the accuracy of the models.

Degree

College and Department

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology; Civil and Environmental Engineering

Rights

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