Tomáš Bouchal

Subsidence map of underground mining influence for urban planning: an example from the Czech Republic

The objective of this study is to produce a subsidence map linked to underground mining influence in a mining region. Ground subsidence represents the most important characteristic of a subsidence basin. However, ground subsidence itself does not carry information on geohazards by means of the impacts on the built-up area. Based on long-term experience and studies carried out, three basic subsidence intervals of varying influence were proposed. The lowest degree of undermining influence is connected with subsidence up to 12 cm; the second category is for subsidence from 12 to 100 cm, where constructions are considered possible under certain conditions but special technological procedures must be adhered to; and the third category of hazard is for subsidence over 100 cm. The study was implemented in the largest mining region (black coal deep mining) of the Czech Republic, in the locality of Orlova, Petrvald and Karvina. The study also involved an overall evaluation of subsidence influence, its variation with time, its relation to the current built-up area and to the future built-up area according to the land use plan, and its relation to engineering-geological zones and landslides.

Utilization of ground subsidence caused by underground mining to produce a map of possible land-use areas for urban planning purposes

The presented work deals with a new type of map titled—a map of a possible area use for planned built-up area purposes in areas affected by underground mining-related subsidence. Generally, accepted theory of a subsidence basin must be applied to such areas, and in order to produce the map, ground subsidence isolines, land-use plan, and slope deformation distribution were considered. The map can be used by land-use planners, future developers, investors, engineering geologists, etc. to inform future development of such land. It is clear that land-use planners may not have sufficient knowledge to decide whether the ground subsidence value is acceptable or not for a particular development purpose. At the same time, it shows that the existence of slope deformations also influences the siting of new buildings in undermined areas and therefore these were included in the map compilation process. The outcome is three area categories where mining subsidence impacts surface development, namely—low influence on the planned development, economically acceptable influence on the planned development, and extreme influence with development prohibited. The research was carried out in the Darkov Region in the northeast of the Czech Republic, where black coal is mined and extensive mining impact on the surface identified. The map produced in this study will help the controlled development of the region by means of appropriate land-use planning.

The Use of the Direct Optimized Probabilistic Calculation Method in Design of Bolt Reinforcement for Underground and Mining Workings

The load-carrying system of each construction should fulfill several conditions which represent reliable criteria in the assessment procedure. It is the theory of structural reliability which determines probability of keeping required properties of constructions. Using this theory, it is possible to apply probabilistic computations based on the probability theory and mathematic statistics. Development of those methods has become more and more popular; it is used, in particular, in designs of load-carrying structures with the required level or reliability when at least some input variables in the design are random. The objective of this paper is to indicate the current scope which might be covered by the new method—Direct Optimized Probabilistic Calculation (DOProC) in assessments of reliability of load-carrying structures. DOProC uses a purely numerical approach without any simulation techniques. This provides more accurate solutions to probabilistic tasks, and, in some cases, such approach results in considerably faster completion of computations. DOProC can be used to solve efficiently a number of probabilistic computations. A very good sphere of application for DOProC is the assessment of the bolt reinforcement in the underground and mining workings. For the purposes above, a special software application—“Anchor”—has been developed.

Application of the Engineering-Geological Conditions in Land-Use Plans in the Petrvald Region Czech Republic

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate necessity to inform relevant parties about engineering-geological conditions for various practical purposes, especially including appropriate land-use planning. However, the relationship between relevant geological information and the geological environment is vital for foundation engineering purposes, especially where demanding structures are involved. This information is most conveniently structured when accumulated information concerning engineering-geological zones is utilized. This necessarily includes knowledge of rock workability and also of the pre-Quaternary bedrock, and these characteristics were then related to the current built-up area and future development according to the land-use plans in a case study are from the Petrvald Region (Czech Republic). The geological environment of area has been severely influenced by anthropogenic effects of deep black coal mining. Results of this research showed that future development should be founded on spoil banks, dumps, and settling basins. According to the land-use plan, this zone occupies 44.9% of the area of interest, and its materials predominantly emanate from mining in the Ostrava–Karvina Coal District. For future foundation structures planned there, it is imperative to consult detailed engineering-geological study. However, attention to and reliance on this necessity is not reflected in the existing land-use plan.

Utilization of an underground mining evaluation map incorporating the effect of landslides and surface flooding for land-use purpose

A number of problems related to land use and foundations of new structures are encountered in underground mining areas. Potential suitability and/or unsuitability of lands for new structures must be considered in areas affected by underground mining. It is well-known that subsidence, slope instability, and surface flooding are frequently observed in underground mining areas. Thus, a map that takes into account such geo-hazards and classifies suitable and unsuitable areas for new structures is needed. Areas affected by underground mining of coal in Stonava near to the border of the Czech Republic and Poland represent specific areas where subsidence, slope instability, and surface flooding problems need a strategy for future utilization of the landscape by means of land use plans. In light of the above reasons, the methodology and preparation of a map model incorporating the effect of landslides and surface flooding has been introduced in this study. This map depicts three levels of influence (important influence, moderate influence, and negligible influence). Chronological variations in the building site categories in the study area have been analyzed as another part of the study. It was further crucial to consider the current built-up area in the underground mining area, and therefore, its relation to building site categories has also been evaluated. Consequently, the building site categories were evaluated in relation to the planned built-up area, which is the most important landscape element in a land-use plan as a tool in the decision-making process.

Influence of the Soil Genesis on Physical and Mechanical Properties

The paper deals with the influence of soil genesis on the physical-mechanical properties. The presented case study was conducted in the region of the Ostrava Basin where there is a varied genetic composition of the Quaternary geological structure on the underlying Neogeneous sediments which are sediments of analogous granulometry but different genesis. In this study, 7827 soil samples of an eolian, fluvial, glacial, and deluvial origin and their laboratory analyses results were used. The study identified different values in certain cases, mostly in coarser-grained foundation soils, such as sandy loam S4 (MS) and clayey sand F4 (CS). The soils of the fluvial origin manifest different values than other genetic types. Next, based on regression analyses, dependence was proved neither on the deposition depth (depth of samples) nor from the point of view of the individual foundation soil classes or the genetic types. The contribution of the paper is to point at the influence of genesis on the foundation soil properties so that engineering geologists and geotechnicians pay more attention to the genesis during engineering-geological and geotechnical investigations.

Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Underground Storage in an Abandoned Coal Mine - an Initial Study/ Snižování Emisí Oxidu Uhličitého Ukládáním Do Opuštěných Podzemních Uhelných Dolů - Základní Studie

Abstract This article is a basic study dealing with the issues of underground storage of carbon dioxide generated from different kinds of activities. Carbon dioxide can be stored underground as a free gas; gas dissolved in water, or can be adsorbed in the rock mass and in the remaining seams. The technology for processing and storage of carbon dioxide is known as Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS). The article focuses on the possibility to store CO2 underground at the Paskov Mine in the Czech Republic. Abstract Tento článek je základní studií zabývající se problematikou ukládání oxidu uhličitého, vznikajícího z různých druhů činností, do podzemí. Oxid uhličitý je možno ukládat do podzemí jako volný plyn, plyn rozpuštěný ve vodě nebo může být adsorbován v horninovém masívu a ve zbylých slojích. Technologie zpracování a ukládání oxidu uhličitého je označována jako Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS). Článek se zaměřuje na možnost ukládání CO2 do podzemí v Dole Paskov v České republice.

Primary Research of Mine Waters from the Chrustenice Iron-Ore Deposit/ Prvotní Průzkum Důlních Vod Železorudného Ložiska Chrustenice

Abstract This paper describes the primary research of mine waters in the Chrustenice Iron-ore Deposit. A particular attention is paid here to the research of microorganisms living in that environment. The goal of the research is to analyse mine waters in the area which was abandoned by people more than 45 years ago and to investigate microorganisms and representatives of species present there in the mine waters. The Chrustenice Mine ranked among the biggest and most important iron ore mines in Barrandien. This mine along with the mines in Nučice, Zdice, Nový Jáchymov and Mníšek pod Brdy contributed to the fame of the regional mining industry. Sedimentary oolitic iron ore in Chrustenice consists mostly of red iron ore based on Černín layers, siderite and, to a lesser extent, of haematite and chamosite. In exceptional cases, magnetite is present there. The Černín shale is black clay shale with sandy ingredients and many potash-mica scales. Now, the mine is flooded up to the 8th level. In the remaining area, there is a mining history museum with dozens of exhibits. In samples of the mining water taken on the site, mostly iron, manganese and sulphur microorganisms were identified. The primary study of the mine waters in the iron-ore deposit shows that, from the microbiological point of view, this site is very interesting and many chemolithotrophic species of bacteria are present there. Abstrakt Tento článek popisuje prvotní průzkum důlních vod železnorudného ložiska Chrustenice. Článek je zaměřen především na průzkum mikroorganismů žijících v tomto prostředí. Cílem průzkumu bylo analyzovat důlní vody těchto více než 45 let člověkem nevyužívaných prostor především na mikroorganismy a zjistit zástupce jednotlivých rodů, které se v těchto vodách za daných podmínek vyskytují. Důl Chrustenice patřil k největším a nejvýznamnějším železorudným dolům Barrandienu a spolu s doly v Nučicích, Zdicích, Novém Jáchymově a Míšku pod Brdy založil slávu zdejšího hornictví. Chrustenické sedimentární oolitické rudy jsou tvořeny převážně krevelem na bázi černínských vrstev, dále pak sideritem, méně pak hematitem a chamositem, výjimečně také magnetitem. Černínské břidlice jsou černé jílovité břidlice s písčitou příměsí a jsou bohaté na šupinky muskovitu. V současné době je důl zatopen až na úroveň 8. patra. Ve zbylých prostorách je vybudována veřejně přístupná expozice historického dolování s desítky exponátů. Ve vzorcích důlních vod odebraných na místě byly identifikovány především nálezy železitých, manganových a sirných mikroorganismů. Prvotní studie důlních vod železorudného ložiska ukazuje na velmi zajímavou lokalitu z mikrobiologického hlediska s vysokým výskytem chemolitotrofních druhů bakterií