Integrating the Finite Element Method with Python Scripting to Assess Mining Impacts on Surface Deformations

Abstract

Mining operations disrupt the structure of rock layers, leading to surface deformations and potential mining damage. This issue has been extensively studied since the 19th century using various analytical, geometric-integral, and stochastic methods. Since the 1990s, numerical methods have been increasingly applied to determine changes in the stress and strain states of rock masses due to mining activities. These methods account for numerous additional factors influencing surface deformation, offering significant advantages over classical approaches. However, modelling rock masses presents challenges, particularly in calibrating the mechanical parameters of rock layers, an area extensively researched with numerous publications. In this study, we determined the mechanical parameter values of rock layers at the advancing mining front using a custom Python script and Finite Element Method (FEM) numerical models. We also introduced a modification to evaluate the error of the estimated parameter values. Numerical analyses were conducted for the Piast–Ziemowit mine region in Poland, utilizing mining, geological, and surveying data. Our results demonstrate that accurate calibration of mechanical parameters is crucial for reliable predictions of surface deformations. The proposed methodology enhances the precision of numerical models, providing a more robust framework for assessing the impact of mining activities on rock layers.