Analysis of the Geomechanical Phenomena That Led to the Appearance of Sinkholes at the Lupeni Mine, Romania, in the Conditions of Thick Coal Seams Mining with Longwall Top Coal Caving

Thick coal seam no. 3, block V, Lupeni mine was mined by longwall top caving (LTCC). After the mining, ground surface underwent continuous subsidence, but since 2008, three sinkholes have appeared on with important dimensions, atypical for geo-mining conditions in this basin. This article is a synthesis of study meant to decipher geo-mechanical phenomenon that led emergence these and highlighting main factors contributed development phenomenon. For purpose, measurements were made terrain deformations using photogrammetric methods aerial laser scanning, when modeling 3D finite elements, elasto-plasticity help Knothe–Budrik influence function. The occurrence discontinuous subsidence phenomena are shallow mining depth, LTCC method, presence faults vicinity panels. Additionally, terrace troughs at described.