Analysis of impact of mining tremors
on surface subsidence

Evaluation and interpretation of the underground mining influence to the surface terrain and buildings is based on various measurements (mainly surveying). Measurements usualy are accomplished in survey networks and bench marks located on the surface structures. The monitoring allows to determine points displacement and surface deformation. The results of such measurements include the influence of both continuous (revealing the long term) and dynamic (rapidly changing , for example caused by mining tremors) movements of the points. Currently it is impossible to determine the impact of mining tremors on the rock mass displacement fields, and thus the buildings and infrastructure obejcts. The most often applyied method of mining tremors measuremets are seismometric measurements. This results are not sufficient to determine the impact of dynamic effects on the horizontal and veritical displacements of the points. The effects of mining tremors are significant for the stability of the bench marks and security of surface structures.

The goal of the project is to develop a methodology for measuring and analysis methods that would enables to separate the dynamic phenomena from the others in terms of surface movemnts. This adjustment will increase the reliability of geodetic measurements carried out on mining terrains. The results of the research may also clarify the impact of mining tremors on the surface structures. Within the project continuous telemetric measurements, measurements of the surface structures tilt, periodic measurements with the use of GPS (high frequency) and remote sensing measurements are planned. The analytical part of the project will be based on statistical calculations and spatial analysis (GIS).

The result of the research will be a set of recommendations for monitoring of mining areas. Moreover the aim of the project is to specify the description of the surface deformation process including fast-changing factors, and optimization of the monitoring of buildings and technical infrastructure in mining areas.The result of the research should contribute to improving knowledge about the nature of displacement and deformation processes on themining areas. They also may contribute to improvement of the methods of building protecion on the mining areas. This will increase the reliability of land subsidence prognosis, as well as a sense of security communities living in mining areas.