Selection of suitable location and method for installation of TDR in opencast mine-an experimental approach

Abstract

This Paper presents detailed investigation on the selection of a suitable location for installation of Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) with selected method at mine site. TDR is becoming a widely accepted instrumentation method for monitoring slope movement. It uses an inexpensive coaxial cable as a sensor and works like a radar to locate shear planes or zones of deformation in a slope. Selection of suitable location plays a vital role to keep the instrument safely and monitoring the weak zones in mines. For the selection of a suitable location for installation of TDR in the opencast mine, the detailed joint survey was conducted in footwall and hanging wall side and also collected rock samples from the pit, simulated with the finite difference model using Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua (FLAC) software. Analysis of joint survey was done using Dips software and Microsoft Excel for observing the condition of discontinuities and for finding the weak zone which is more prone to slope failure. The outputs from the above analysis show the footwall of the selected mine is more prone to failure hence continuous monitoring is required for prediction of rock mass failure and footwall bench at 350RL (Reduced Level) is selected as the suitable location for installation of TDR. These investigations are part of the research project funded by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India (GOI).