Acta Geodynamica et Geomaterialia

Title: GEOMECHANICAL MODELING OF SUBSIDENCE RELATED STRAINS CAUSING EARTH FISSURES
Authors: Malinowska Agnieszka A., Misa Rafał and Tajduś Krzysztof
DOI: 10.13168/AGG.2018.0015
Journal: Acta Geodynamica et Geomaterialia, Vol. 15, No. 2 (190), Prague 2018
Full Text: PDF file (1.8 MB)
Keywords: Earth fissures, Subsidence, Horizontal stress, Geomechanical modelling, Underground coal mining
Abstract: The research is focused on the feasibility analysis of a numerical model describing the field of strains generated by mining-induced subsidence caused by a deep underground coal extraction, which may contribute to the formation of Earth fissures. The finite elements method and Knothe’s theory were used in the research. The geomechanical modeling was applied for defining zones of strains and maximum horizontal deformations of the terrain. Knothe’s theory was employed for defining boundary conditions of the geomechanical model. The parameters of the empirical and geomechanical models were scaled out on the basis of geodetic surveys in the mining area. The results of geomechanical modeling were compared with the geodetic surveys to select the best model. The presented research confirmed high congruence between the results of modeling with the finite elements method and observations of vertical movements on the surface. The results of modeling also confirmed the assumed highest stress in areas where earth fissures were observed. The proposed solution may be a new research tool applicable to areas where earth fissures potentially occur.