Identifying the Cause of Abnormal Building Damage in Mining Subsidence Areas Using InSAR Technology

Abstract

Under normal geological and mining conditions, surface subsidence caused by underground coal mining generally adheres to current subsidence theory. However, due to the presence of complex geological structures, abnormal mining-induced surface deformation has become increasingly frequent. In this study, we investigate abnormal surface deformation and building damage caused by the excavation of working face 162601 in Xinsan Mine, Fengfeng Mining District, using seven RadarSat-2 SAR images from October 2013 to March 2014. The spatial distribution of surface deformation is identical to the strike of the F29 fault, indicating that the abnormal damage suffered by buildings in Shiqiao Village is related to the existence of this fault. A theoretical analysis and similitude material simulation experiments are conducted to determine the relationship between the fault and the mining-induced subsidence. In both instances, fault “activation” is the root cause of the abnormal surface deformation and building damage. This study reveals the mechanism behind abnormal damage in a mining-induced subsidence area by analyzing the InSAR derived spatial distribution of surface deformation. The findings of this study will contribute towards improving subsidence control theory, developing preventive measures against abnormal damage in subsidence-affected areas, and conserving the ecological environment of such areas.

Keywords

• Mining subsidence
• abnormal deformation
• building damage
• geological fault
• InSAR
• similar material modeling