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0 years after mining, depending on the production schedule. <br />Subsidence is defined by the subsidence factor and angle of draw. The subsidence <br />factor is the ratio of maximum vertical surface movement to seam mining height and is <br />often expressed as a percentage of mining height. The angle of draw identifies the limits <br />of surface movement beyond the mining boundaries underground. <br />Angle of critical deformation is similar to the angle of draw, but is measured to a <br />point of critical deformation with respect to existing structures. It is preferred by many <br />practitioners because it avoids shortfalls with the accuracy of surveying equipment. <br />Based on subsidence data from 40 longwall panels, Peng (1992) found that it is 10° less <br />than the angle of draw. <br />From a review of subsidence in the North Fork Valley, a subsidence factor of 0.60 to <br />0.75 and an angle of draw of 15° to 30° were chosen for modeling purposes at the Dove <br />Gulch study area so that the dependency of subsidence parameters to topographic <br />conditions could be simulated realistically. Significant subsidence beyond excavations is <br />controlled by the angle of critical deformation of 17°. <br />The predicted maximum subsidence is 9 ft near the center of the Upper B panels. It is <br />less than 4 ft over the gateroads. Predicted tensile strains reach levels that can cause <br />surface fractures. These are more likely to occur over panel boundaries and gate roads. <br />Many of the fractures should heal due to compression and settlement of the surface, but <br />some of the fractures will remain open, particularly to the east under shallow cover. A <br />few cracks could also form at topographic highs. <br />Expected significant surface movement beyond the underground mining boundaries <br />varies from 275 ft to the east to 700 ft to the northwest, with some variations to be <br />expected locally. Changes in surface slopes are moderate (approximately 3%). <br />• <br />Maleki Technologies, Inc. Page 7