Mikula, PA & Lee, MF 2007, 'Empirical Performance Chart for Ground Support in Seismic Conditions at Mt Charlotte', in Y Potvin (ed.), Deep Mining 2007: Proceedings of the Fourth International Seminar on Deep and High Stress Mining, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 325-334, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/711_24
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/711_24_Mikula/)
Abstract: Methods of estimating dynamic-capable ground support requirements from first principles are limited by the 
complexities of seismic event mechanisms, the susceptibility of excavations to damage and the behaviour of 
ground support systems. Some of these complexities were bypassed at the Mt Charlotte gold mine by 
adopting an alternative site-specific empirical approach, based on underground observations of seismic 
damage and the performance of ground support. 
Relationships were derived between peak particle velocity due to seismicity, the energy absorption capacity 
of ground support systems, and the damage occurring in excavations. A ground support design chart was 
developed for dynamic situations to enable estimation of the minimum required energy absorption capacity 
for ground support. Alternatively, given a particular seismic event magnitude and location, the chart can be 
used to indicate likely ground support performance in dynamic situations, in terms of the expected damage to 
ground support. 
The chart has been successfully applied to assess dynamic ground support requirements in development used 
to mine remnants in the seismically active ROB5 stoping block. A key advantage of this empirical approach 
is that it is calibrated to the peculiarities of the specific mine site.