Huang, P, Fathi Salmi, E, Hoehn, K, Poulter, M, Cox, D & Puscasu, R 2024, 'Improving geotechnical interpretation in cave mining using fibre optic sensing', in Daniel Johansson & Håkan Schunnesson (eds), MassMin 2024: Proceedings of the International Conference & Exhibition on Mass Mining, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, pp. 418-427.
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/2435_C-10/)
Abstract: Cave monitoring is essential in cave mining activities due to the uncertainty and complexity of the geotechnical and geological conditions. Accurate monitoring methods can help engineers better understand and manage the risks associated with cave propagation, such as air blasts and surface subsidence. The fibre-optic sensing (FOS) system has been implemented to monitor the cave-back position at the Carrapateena project. The monitoring results demonstrated that the FOS system can capture the cave movement successfully and has the advantage of high sensitivity to strain, a large number of sensing points, and frequent and real-time data acquisition. The mechanism of cave propagation is, however, complex and affected by many factors, including complex geological factors, rock mass heterogeneity, and mine design and operations. The effects of rock mass characteristics and geological layers on cave propagation mechanisms at Carrapateena are also analysed and discussed, along with the monitoring results. The outcomes of the study indicate that the laminated and jointed rock mass significantly controls the behaviour of the mass and localises the cave movement in a relatively narrow area, which could be substantially different from the predicted cave shape based on the assumption of the homogenous and continuum rock mass modelling. The outcome of this study from the Carrapateena case allows engineers to understand the caving mechanism and provides them with a better insight into the effects of geological factors on cave behaviour.