On the paper FDM predictive methodology for subsidence due to flat and inclined coal seam mining; L. R. Alejano, P. Ramirez-Oyanguren, J. Taboada, International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 36 (1999) 475–491

The classification of subsidence prediction methods into empirical methods, physical methods and numerical methods is discussed. It is noted that all prediction methods require field data in order to be applicable in areas where material behavior is unknown. It is shown that the influence functions predictions can easily be calibrated to provide accurate and realistic predictions, even for complex 3D mine layouts, without the need of `painstaking characterization' necessary in the application of numerical methods.