ABSTRACT
Undertakings in underground mining are often complicated, particularly in situations where geotechnical conditions are not favorable. This study investigates the collapse of tunnels at the Lega-Dembi gold mine in Southern Ethiopia, an area characterized by weak talc formations. The persistent deformation of tunnels poses a threat to the safety of workers and mining operations. In this study, a numerical method that combines continuum and discontinuum approaches is employed to analyze tunnel failures. Additionally, the study evaluates the effect of geotechnical parameters on tunnel deformation, considering various support systems. The results indicate that a combination of rock bolts and shotcrete is effective in mitigating tunnel deformation. Furthermore, the study identifies the geological strength index and unconfined compressive strength as the most influential parameters on tunnel deformation. The findings also suggest appropriate support systems for managing underground instability and enhancing safety measures in weak geological formations.
ABSTRACT
Foundation plays a vital role in weight transfer from the superstructure to substructure. However, foundation characteristics such as pile group, piled raft, and footing remain unfolded due to their highly non-linear behaviour in different soil types. Bibliography analysis using VOSvierwer algorithm supported the significance of the research. Hence, this study investigates the load-bearing capacity of different types of foundations, including footings, pile groups, and piled rafts, by analyzing experimental data using finite element tools such as PLAXIS 2D and GEO5. The analysis involves examining the impact of various factors such as the influence of surcharge and the effect of different soil types on the load-bearing capabilities of the different types of foundation. For footing, parametric investigations using PLAXIS 2D are conducted to explore deformational changes. Pile groups are analyzed using GEO5 to assess their factor of safety (FOS.) and settling under various criteria, such as pile length and soil type. The study also provides insight into selecting the right type of foundation for civil engineering practice. Findings showed that different soil types have varying deformational behaviours under high loads with sandy soil having less horizontal deformation than clayey soil. Also, it was observed that increasing the pile thickness by 50% resulted in a reduction of 13.88% in settlement and an improvement of 16.66% in the FOS. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of professionalism, exceptional talent, and outstanding decision-making when assessing the load-bearing capabilities of various foundation types for building structures.
