Systematic approach to assess and mitigate longwall subsidence influences on surface structures

摘要

The surface subsidence process associated with Iongwall mining operations is often capable of causing disturbances to various surface structures.Inadequate consid- erations of the subsidence influences could result in poor public relation with local resi- dents and regulatory agencies,uneconomic operations,hazardous conditions,etc.A sys- tematic approach to assess and mitigate influences caused by Iongwall subsidence had been developed and adopted to minimize the severity of these potential problems.The approach included accurate prediction of final and dynamic surface movements and de- formations,assessment of the severities and locations of the potential disturbances,and design and implementation of proper mitigation measures.The approach had been suc- cessfully applied at many Iongwall mining companies on numerous and various residential farming,public and industrial structures.As a matter of fact,the state of Pennsylvania,the state with largest number of Iongwall mines and highest Iongwall production in U.S.,would like to use such approach as the standards in dealing with Iongwall subsidence cases.