An Approach to Modeling Troughs of Ground Movements with High Gradients of Subsidence

Within the framework of the elastoplastic model, the authors propose a theoretical description procedure for troughs of ground movements with high gradients of subsidence. The approach uses reduction of shear modulus in rock mass bordering a movement trough. The pre-requisite for the shear modulus reduction in such areas is the increased mining-induced pressure, which initiates damage and aggravates the defect structure of rocks through widening of micro-cracks, inter-grain contacts, etc. The estimation procedure of the induced reduction factor for the shear modulus uses the comparative analysis of ground slopes. This approach enables a reliable calculation of ground movements with high gradients of subsidence, and ensures the adequate stress–strain analysis of undermined rock mass, including location of plastic deformation zones.