Surface Subsidence Engineering: Theory and Practice

Underground coal mining disturbs both the overburden strata and the immediate floor strata. The subject of surface subsidence deals with the issues associated with the movement of overburden strata, which are the layers from the seam to the surface, where structures and water resources important to human activities are located. Surface Subsidence Engineering provides comprehensive coverage of the major issues associated with surface subsidence. The chapters are written by experts on surface subsidence in the three leading coal producing and consuming countries in the world: Australia, China and the United States. They discuss general features and terminologies, subsidence prediction, subsidence measurement techniques, subsidence impact on water bodies, subsidence damage, mitigation and control, and subsidence on abandoned coal mines. In addition, the final chapter addresses some of the unique features of surface subsidence found in Australian coal mines. The book provides information on coal seams ranging from flat to gently inclined to steep to ultra-steep seams. Written for mining engineers, geotechnical engineers and students of mining engineering, this book covers both theories and practices of surface subsidence. Unlike previous publications, it also deals with the subsidence impact on surface and groundwater bodies, crucial resources that are often neglected by subsidence researchers.

Syd S. Peng is Charles E Lawall Chair of Mining Engineering Emeritus in the Department of Mining Engineering, West Virginia University. Dr Peng received his undergraduate diploma in mining engineering from National Taipei University of Technology. He later went to the United States and received his PhD in mining engineering from Stanford University in 1970. He has performed research in the areas of longwall mining, ground control and surface subsidence in more than 300 mines in coal and industrial minerals in all US mineral-producing states and 16 foreign countries. In addition, he has authored or co-authored eight books and 357 journal and proceedings articles in the areas of longwall mining, ground control, surface subsidence, and respirable coal mine dust. He is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering and has been the recipient of 20 regional, national and international awards.