Dynamic Behaviour of Abandoned Underground Mines: Insights from Numerical Simulations

Lucia, Daniela De; Fazio, Nunzio Luciano; Lollino, Piernicola

doi:10.1007/s00603-022-02832-9

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 41 publications

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“…The results shown in this paper focus on the localization and three-dimensional reconstruction of empty cavities. The identification of existing tunnels, passages or caves is of considerable importance both for safety 28 reasons and for the development of ancient abandoned mines as tourist attraction. In our case, given the history of the Temperino complex, there is also a considerable interest in the field of archaeology.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Three-dimensional muon imaging of cavities inside the Temperino mine (Italy)

Borselli

Beni

Bonechi

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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Muon radiography (muography) is an imaging technique based on atmospheric muon absorption in matter that allows to obtain two and three-dimensional images of internal details of hidden objects or structures. The technique relies on atmospheric muon flux measurements performed around and underneath the object under examination. It is a non-invasive and passive technique and thus can be thought of as a valid alternative to common prospecting techniques used in archaeological, geological and civil security fields. This paper describes muon radiography measurements, in the context of archaeological and geological studies carried out at the Temperino mine (LI, Tuscany, Italy), for the search and three-dimensional visualisation of cavities. This mine has been exploited since Etruscan times until recently (1973), and is now an active tourist attraction with public access to the tunnels. Apart from the archaeological interest, the importance of mapping the cavities within this mine lies in identifying the areas where the extraction ores were found and also in the safety issues arising from the tourist presence inside the mine. The three-dimensional imaging is achieved with two different algorithms: one involving a triangulation of two or more measurements at different locations; the other, an innovative technique used here for the first time, is based on the back-projections of reconstructed muon tracks. The latter requires only a single muographic data tacking and is to be preferred in applications where more than one site location can be difficult to access. Finally the quality of the three-dimensional muographic imaging was evaluated by comparing the results with the laser scan profiles obtained for some known cavities within the Temperino mine.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Three-dimensional muon imaging of cavities inside the Temperino mine (Italy)

Borselli

Beni

Bonechi

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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Influence of geology and topography on the occurrence of mine massive collapse—back-analysis of a historical collapse of chalk mine (France)

Heib¹,

Conil²,

Gombert

2023

Bull Eng Geol Environ

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Pillars of an underground mine are designed to ensure long-term stability and preserve the surface assets from the consequences of mining. However, long-term stability is never guaranteed. Over time, subsidence and collapses can occur, and the consequences are sometimes dramatic. Such collapses depend on the exploitation characteristics, the mechanical properties of the terrain, and the potential presence of water, but additional factors can play a major role. This study aims to identify the predisposing and triggering factors of the collapse, including stiff beds, cliffs, and faults. Back-analysis was carried out on a historic dramatic massive collapse of a chalk mine (Beaulieu, France, 1910). Numerical modeling (finite and distinct elements) was carried out to highlight the influence of mining geometry, the stiff bed, and the cliff. Then, the mechanism of the collapse of the Beaulieu mine was investigated. The results demonstrate the importance of the geometric configurations of the site for the development of such a phenomenon, particularly the cumulative effects of the excavation (extraction ratio), the cliff, and the stiff bed. These cumulative factors increase the risk of a massive collapse. This study has shown that the stability of abandoned room and pillar underground mines should cover three concepts: estimation of the stress state of the pillars, the strength of the pillars, and the presence of a cliff as well as a significant discontinuity crossing the rock mass which could be a fault.

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A methodological approach to evaluate the dynamic response of internal septa and pillars in soft rock underground cavities

de Lucia,

Ugenti,

Fazio

et al. 2024

Nat Hazards

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A large amount of underground cavities nowadays exists throughout the Apulian region (south-eastern Italy) as a result of mining processes of soft calcarenite, which frequently followed the “room and pillar” technique. In these cave systems, pillars and septa are critical structures, whose failure can lead to a significant increment of the sinkhole hazard. The behaviour of these rocky structures in the dynamic field is poorly studied in literature, and the present study aims to investigate their dynamic stability, according to regional seismicity data. For this purpose, ideal pillar geometries were considered, for which the evolution of the stress–strain field under dynamic inputs was observed in both 2D and 3- configurations by means of parametrical finite element analysis. For shallow cavities, slender septa were found to be the most affected by the influence of seismic loading. For deep cavities, dynamic instability is observed only for rather squat septa, with the cavity width also influencing the dynamic behaviour. To quantitatively assess the septum stability, a stability index was also proposed in 2D models. Moreover, three-dimensional analyses showed a stabilizing effect in the pillar exerted by the stress component perpendicular to the earthquake.

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Dynamic Behaviour of Abandoned Underground Mines: Insights from Numerical Simulations

Cited by 4 publications

References 41 publications

Three-dimensional muon imaging of cavities inside the Temperino mine (Italy)

Three-dimensional muon imaging of cavities inside the Temperino mine (Italy)

Influence of geology and topography on the occurrence of mine massive collapse—back-analysis of a historical collapse of chalk mine (France)

A methodological approach to evaluate the dynamic response of internal septa and pillars in soft rock underground cavities

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