Underground Mine Tunnel Modelling Using Laser Scan Data in Relation to Manual Geometry Measurements

Abstract

Underground mine tunnels, drifts, and mine headings are susceptible to the impact of convergence. The convergence has a big influence on further measurements such as airflow and the volume concentration of methane and other gases. In most cases, deformation of arch supports lead to getting a smaller cross-section area. A comparison is made between five methods of measuring the cross-sectional area of a mine tunnel. The reference size of the six cross-section mine drift areas were obtained by Terrestrial Laser Scanning, which were then compared with the cross-section areas obtained by four other methods. The following methods were considered: area calculation using CAD software, an empirical method, approximation by a semi-ellipse and approximation by a semi-ellipse with attached straight sections. This article presents the quantitative and qualitative differences of the obtained results. Differences in the calculated cross-sectional areas of the mine drift are discussed, and reasons for the differences are determined. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of each method are indicated.

Keywords

• arch support
• laser scanning
• mine drift area
• mine tunnel
• cross-section