Ground Subsidence

Surface subsidence (vertical deformations) or mining-induced ground deformations (horizontal and vertical) are often an inevitable consequence of many mining methods. Itasca evaluates mining-induced subsidence related to the extraction of ore from both underground and open pit mines, together with dewatering-induced subsidence. Services provided include: field investigation for acquiring geomechanical and hydrogeological properties; subsidence back-analysis; and prediction of the magnitude and extent of subsidence related to a particular mine design in order to optimize location of infrastructure and understand any impacts on existing property and the surface environment.

Traditionally, empirical and analytical methods have been used to assess the limits of subsidence from underground mining. However, generally these methods are restricted to simplified, regular mining geometries and often limited to two-dimensional problem geometries.

Itasca engineers perform three-dimensional numerical modeling assessments of mining-induced subsidence. Through the calibration of observed and measured subsidence features at a number of operating and abandoned mine sites, Itasca has developed a rigorous methodology that predicts the limits of large-scale surface cracking, angular distortion, and horizontal ground strains capable of causing potential building damage of ground surface infrastructure.

Latest News
  • Seamless Integration of Site Data for Improved Mining Analysis Now Available for IMAT: Seamless Integration of Site Data for Improved Mining Analysis...
    Read More
  • Now Available from ITASCA: Innovative Machine Learning Tool for FLAC3D/FLAC2D V9.2 Experience the Future of Geotechnical Modeling with ITASCA Software V9.2: Introducing Machine Learning Models...
    Read More
  • Experience the Future of Geotechnical Modeling with ITASCA Software V9.2 Experience the Future of Geotechnical Modeling with ITASCA Software V9.2: Introducing Machine Learning Models and...
    Read More

Upcoming Events
13 May
Getting Started With Dynamic Modeling in FLAC3D
This training supplies the tools needed to describe and apply the workflow for dynamic analysis in FLAC3D, demonstrating a comprehensiv... Read More
8 May
World Tunnel Congress 2025
This year the World tunnel congress 2025 is hosted in Sweden Stockholm. We are excited to meet all of you in Stockholm the 9-15th of Ma... Read More
11 Jun
Python in Itasca Software
This course provides an overview of the Python programming language in Itasca software.The course covers major applications of Python t... Read More