NONLINEAR FINITE-ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF SURFACE SUBSIDENCE ARISING FROM INCLINED SEAM EXTRACTION

This paper describes some modifications to an available non-linear fin ite element package to allow modelling of the ground movement due to m ining inclined seams. The modified model has been validated by compari son with well-established empirical models and physical modelling resu lts. Studies are reported in the paper which focus on investigation of the effect of dip of the mineral seam and width/depth ratio on subsid ence, displacement, stress and strain distribution.