EFFECT OF TOPOGRAPHY ON GROUND MOVEMENT DUE TO LONGWALL MINING.

This paper presents an analysis of the effects of topography on static and dynamic ground movements and severity of damage inflicted on surface structures. A typical site containing varying topographical features (i. e. , mountains, hillsides, valleys, and flat bottom land) representing the northern Appalachian region was chosen for the study. Surface topography has a significant effect on mining-induced horizontal ground movements. Results indicated that topography has no effect on the amount of vertical subsidence. A significant increase in tensile effects was measured when mining in an uphill direction. On the downslope, a large zone of compression and heaving at the foothill were observed. The direction of horizontal displacements depends on topography when the slope is large.