FY 2022 University of Kentucky Applied Science Cooperative Agreements Program: Enhancement of Subsidence Prediction Methodologies

Title: Enhancement of Subsidence Prediction Methodologies Project Abstract This proposal will support the goal of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) Applied Science Program in the development of science-based technologies to address environmental and safety topics related to coal mining. The proposer is one of the authors of the Surface Deformation Prediction System (SDPS) which is software package initially developed in the late 1980’s and upgraded through the years. In 2008, while the proposer was affiliated with Virigina Tech, a proposal was funded by OSM develop a number of enhancements to the SDPS package. The objectives of this project are as follows: • Validate the dynamic subsidence methodology (subsidence development methodology) by cross-validation with field measurements. SDPS already includes a dynamic subsidence (or subsidence development) module, but the dynamic strain, slope and curvature modules are not fully developed. Through the use of measured movements it is antificated that these modules will be refined. • Create a methodology that will address prediction of ground movements under steep seam conditions. SDPS assumes that the seam is horizontal and it averages seam elevations. It is anticipated that a module will be developed where seams are converted to horizontal and elevations of surface points are modified to reflect the change in overburden. The deliverables will include an updated SDPS software package that will be made available to OSM and state agencies. This will honor previous similar agreements with OSM for funded proposal through Virginia Tech, where I participated as researcher and coPI. Deliverables will also include a number of publications that will address both objectives.