Modelling of groundwater recovery process for prediction of land settlement in surface mines

Abstract

A two-dimensional finite element model was used to simulate the groundwater recovery process under various surface mining situations. The simulation results were used to predict the rate at which soil settlement takes place. It was found that the groundwater recovery process is very fast immediately after mine closure and cessation of dewatering programmes; a significant part of mine land settlement can be measured at such times. This paper presents a method for deriving the relationship between the re-establishment of the natural groundwater regime to its equilibrium position as existed prior to the commencement of mining operations and mine spoil settlement.

Keywords:

• Groundwater recovery
• Spoil settlement
• Finite element model

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the assistance provided by the Faculty of Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology and School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong for providing SEEP/W software.