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Advanced Optimisation Of Ground Support Systems for Enhancing Underground Tunnel Sta-bility in Geologically Adverse Conditions
Department of Mining Engineering, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe.
School of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal Durban, South Africa.
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Mining and Geotechnical Engineering. Department of Mining Engineering, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1014-0405
2025 (English)In: Rock Mechanics Letters, E-ISSN 3049-8996, Vol. 2, no 1, p. 66-75Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

This research aims to optimize ground support systems for underground tunnels in geologically challenging environments, specifically addressing the reduction of Fall of Ground (FOG) incidents in a gold mine in Mashava, Zimbabwe. The study integrates advanced detection and classification methodologies to enhance tunnel stability and safety. Tunnel Reflection Tomography (TRT) was employed to identify unfavorable geological structures ahead of excavation, while core logging at 20 locations on level 7 provided rock mass quality assessments using three classification systems: Bieniawski’s Rock Mass Rating (RMR), Laubscher’s Mining Rock Mass Rating (MRMR), and Barton’s Q-system. The results consistently indicated poor rock mass quality, informing the design and refinement of a robust ground support system. Fallout height data from past FOG incidents and probabilistic key block analysis using J-Block software further validated the support system's effectiveness. The findings significantly reduce collapse risks and downtime, enhancing operational safety and efficiency. This research contributes to developing practical strategies and tools for improving tunnel stability in complex geological settings, offering valuable insights for future advancements in mining support technologies. The study's necessity stems from the industry's growing demand for innovative solutions to enhance tunnel stability in adverse geological settings, particularly in regions with limited access to advanced technologies or methodologies.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Vance Press (UK) , 2025. Vol. 2, no 1, p. 66-75
Keywords [en]
Ground support, Reflection Tomography, Tunnel stability, Rock Mass Rating, Empirical support design
National Category
Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
Research subject
Mining and Rock Engineering
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-112212DOI: 10.70425/rml.202501.9OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ltu-112212DiVA, id: diva2:1949242
Note

Godkänd;2025;Nivå 0;2025-04-02 (u5);

Full text license: CC BY 4.0;

Available from: 2025-04-02 Created: 2025-04-02 Last updated: 2025-04-02Bibliographically approved

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CiteExportLink to record
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