Prediction of Ground Movements Under Dipping Seam Conditions

ABSTRACT The prediction of ground movements due to underground coal mining and their impacts on the surface are important considerations that have been studied by numerous researchers around the world. The majority of these studies have focused on the development of different analytical and empirical models for the prediction and calculation of ground deformation indices for either flat or gently dipping seams under variable topography. However, a few studies are available with respect to the prediction of ground movements under dipping seam conditions. Dipping seam conditions have been encountered in some cases in the US, where the inclination (dip) may be in the range of 10 degrees or greater. Ground movements under such conditions are evaluated using methodologies which assume horizontal seams for their calculations. In order to accurately predict subsidence under these conditions it is necessary to develop an appropriate methodology that builds on the existing infrastructure. This paper presents a methodology that can be used to model subsidence under dipping seam conditions. The methodology has been validated with two case studies that are available in the literature. INTRODUCTION Although new alternative energy sources are being developed, non-renewable carbon-based resources still constitute the base energy supply for many countries in the world. Coal production, 69% of which corresponds to electricity and heat generation (Çelik, & Özçelik, 2023), still plays an essential role in meeting the worldwide demand. The reduction of open-pit coal reserves has raised the need for underground coal mining, and, consequently, the need to enhance underground mining methods and technologies. Although horizontal or near-horizontal coal seams constitute the majority of coal deposits currently extracted using underground mining methods, inclined seams are also being mined and will be mined even more in the future. Some countries, such as China, India, and Spain, classify high-quality reserves of coal as inclined strata (Afsari,1998).