Investigation of surface effects from mine subsidence in mountainous terrain

摘要

This paper discusses an investigation of surface effects of mine subsidence in mountainous terrain. The investigation examines a regional database of surface fracture occurrences in the eastern Kentucky coal field, and compares the surface impacts to predicted impacts in current literature based on the effects of mine void height and topography. A case study of mine subsidence impacts to a communications tower is examined. Surface features and other information concerning movement of the tower wasused to determine the impact potential of three different mines. The subsidence database and software (SDPS) developed by Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) was used to assess the potential of each of the three mines to impact the site. The investigation has resulted in a number of observations regarding validity of applying the database and subsidence prediction software to mountainous terrain, as well as recommendations for mine planning and layout and suggestions for site investigations of subsidence impacts in mountainous terrain.