Unexpected deformation processes in the rock mass in surface mining: Emergence factors and prevention capabilities

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2022-1S-111-118

S.V. Usanov, Yu.P. Konovalova, E.Yu. Efremov, О.D. Kharisova, А.V. Usanova Institute of Mining of Ural Branch of RAS, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation Russian Mining Industry №1S / 2022 р. 111-118

Abstract: Unexpected abnormal deformation processes in rock masses lead to disruptions in the operation of mining facilities and endanger human life and health. The studies show that physiographic conditions, physical and mechanical properties of rocks, features of structural and tectonic structure of the rock mass can influence the unexpected character of the deformation phenomena. One of the important parameters that determines the development of catastrophic deformation processes is the geodynamic activity of the rock mass, which forms its stress state. The purpose of the research is to develop methodological approaches to identification of potentially hazardous areas in the rock mass. To do this, experimental studies were carried out in a mine where unexpected abnormal deformations took place, and the role of influencing factors was analyzed. Experiments were performed using geological, geophysical and geodetic methods. As the result of the study, it was established that unexpected emergency deformation processes develop in areas where the maximum number of complicating factors is concentrated. A rating evaluation of the area of surface development has been developed based on a combination of factors affecting the stability of the rock mass. The developed approaches make it possible to diagnose the rock mass and identify areas where geomechanical processes develop according to special parameters. Area zoning can be the basis for the development of automated monitoring system of rock mass deformations to prevent unexpected emergency events.

Keywords: rock mass, surface collapse, ground cavity, safety, hierarchical blockiness, self-organization, stress state, geodynamic movements

Acknowledgments: The study was carried out within the framework of the State Contract №075-00412-22 PR. Topic 3 2022-202, (FUWE-2022-0003), №1021062010536-3-1.5.1. The authors express their deep gratitude to the staff of the Geomechanics Department of the Institute of Mining, Ural Branch of the RAS, whose theoretical and experimental research provided the basis for the work presented.

For citation: Usanov S.V., Konovalova Yu.P., Efremov E.Yu., Kharisova О.D., Usanova А.V. Unexpected deformation processes in the rock mass in surface mining: Emergence factors and prevention capabilities. Gornaya promyshlennost = Russian Mining Industry. 2022;(1 Suppl.):111–118. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2022-1S-111-118

Article info

Received: 06.10.2021

Revised: 22.10.2021

Accepted: 25.10.2021

Information about the authors

Sergey V. Usanov – Chief of Rock Movement Laboratory, Institute of Mining of Ural Branch of RAS, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation

Yuliya P. Konovalova – Senior Researcher of Rock Movement Laboratory, Institute of Mining of Ural Branch of RAS, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Olga D. Kharisova – Researcher of Rock Movement Laboratory, Institute of Mining of Ural Branch of RAS, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation

Evgeny Yu. Efremov – Researcher of Rock Movement Laboratory, Institute of Mining of Ural Branch of RAS, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation

Anna V. Usanova – Researcher of Geomechanics Laboratory of Underground Structures, Institute of Mining of Ural Branch of RAS, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation

References

1. Kharisova O.D., Kharisov T.F. Prediction of ground surface collapse by instrumental observation data on rock mass movements during underground mining. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2020;(3-1):264–274. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25018/0236-1493-2020-310-264-274

2. Ruchkin V.I., Konovalova Yu.P. Variation of the geological medium stressed-deformed state under the influence of the complex of natural and technogenic geo-dynamic factors in mining plants. Problemy nedropolzovaniya. 2015;(1):32–37. (In Russ.) Available at: https://trud.igduran.ru/edition/4/5

3. Usanov S.V. Monitoring of geodynamic movements of rocks under large-scale complicated mining impact in the Vysokogorsky iron ore mine. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2014;(10):208–213. (In Russ.)

4. Longoni L., Papini M., Brambilla D., Arosio D., Zanzi L. The risk of collapse in abandoned mine sites: the issue of data uncertainty. Open Geosciences. 2016;8(1):246–258. https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2016-0022

5. Al Heib M., Duval C., Theoleyre F., Watelet J.-M., Gombert P. Analysis of the historical collapse of an abandoned underground chalk mine in 1961 in Clamart (Paris, France). Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment. 2015;74(3):1001–1018. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-014-0677-6

6. Strozik G., Jendrus R., Manowska A., Popczyk M. Mine subsidence as a post-mining effect in the Upper Silesia coal basin. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies. 2016;25(2):777–785. https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/61117

7. Cui X., Gao Y., Yuan D. Sudden surface collapse disasters caused by shallow partial mining in Datong coalfield, China. Natural Hazards. 2014;74(2):911–929. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-014-1221-5

8. Wang J.-A., Shang X.C., Ma H.T. Investigation of catastrophic ground collapse in Xingtai gypsum mines in China. International Journal of Rock Mechanics & Mining Sciences. 2008;45(8):1480–1499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2008.02.012

9. Zelentsov S.N., Kutepov Yu.Yu., Borger E.B. Investigation of surface failures and mechanism of their formation on undermined earth surface of the mine named after Ruban. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2017;(5):271–280. (In Russ.) Available at: https://giab-online.ru/files/Data/2017/5/271_280_5_2017.pdf

10. Lobanova T.V. Features of the earth's surface collapse over mined-out space of blind ore bodies in south-eastern site of the Tashtagol deposit. Journal of Fundamental and Applied Mining Sciences. 2019;6(1):169–175. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.15372/ FPVGN2019060129

11. Kharisova O., Kharisov T. Searching for possible precursors of mining-induced ground collapse using long-term geodetic monitoring data. Engineering Geology. 2021;289:106–173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2021.106173

12. Belodedov A.A., Dolzhikov P.N., Legostaev S.O. Analyzing mechanism of forming earth surface deformations over liquidated mines mining workings. Izvestija Tulskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta. Nauki o Zemle = News of the Tula State University. Sciences of Earth. 2017;(1):160–169. (In Russ.)

13. Kozhogulov K.Ch., Tazhibaev K.T., Abdibaitov Sh.A. Analysis of impact of mine systems on rock movement and formation of earth surface cavity. Science, New Technologies and Innovations in Kyrgyzstan. 2008;(7-8):24–26. (In Russ.) Available at: http://science-journal.kg/media/Papers/nntiik/2008/7/nntiik-2008-N7-8-24-26.pdf

14. Abdibaitov Sh.A., Isaev B.A., Abdiev A.R. Influence of physical and mechanical properties and structural infringement of rocks on the process of education failures earth surface. Vestnik KRSU. 2017;17(8):140–143. (In Russ.) Available at: http://vestnik.krsu.edu.kg/archive/30/1359

15. Xia K., Chen C., Yang K., Zhang H., Pang H. A case study on the characteristics of footwall ground deformation and movement and their mechanisms. Natural Hazards. 2020;104:1039–1077. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-020-04204-4

16. Hui X., Ma F., Zhao H., Xu J. Monitoring and statistical analysis of mine subsidence at three metal mines in China. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment. 2019;78:3983–4001. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-018-1367-6

17. Szwedzicki T. Precursors to rock mass failure in underground mines. Archives of Mining Sciences. 2008;53(3):449–465.

18. Szwedzicki T. Rock mass behaviour prior to failure. International Journal of Rock Mechanics & Mining Sciences. 2003;40(4):573– 584. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1365-1609(03)00023-6

19. Baer G., Magen Y., Nof R.N., Raz E., Lyakhovsky V., Shalev E. InSAR measurements and viscoelastic modeling of sinkhole precursory subsidence: Implications for sinkhole formation, early warning, and sediment properties. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface. 2018;123(4):678–693. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JF004594

20. Sashourin A.D. Forming stressed-deformed state of hierarchically unitized rock mass. Problemy nedropolzovaniya. 2015;(1):38–44. (In Russ.) Available at: https://trud.igduran.ru/edition/4/6

21. Kuzmin Yu.O. Recent geodynamics and evolution of geodynamic risk at use of subsoil resources. Moscow: Agentstvo ekonomicheskikh novostei; 1999. 220 p. (In Russ.)

22. Makarov P.V. Self-organized criticality of deformation and prospects for fracture prediction. Physical Mesomechanics. 2010;13(5):97– 112. Available at: http://www.ispms.ru/ru/61/373/1560/

23 Melnikov N.N. (ed.) Earth’s crust destruction and self-organization processes in highly industrial regions. Novosibirsk: Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; 2012. 632 p. (In Russ.)

24. Konovalova Yu.P., Ruchkin V.I. Assessment of influence of short-period geodynamic movements on stress-strain behavior of rock mass. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2020;(3-1):90-104. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25018/0236-1493-2020-31-0-90-104