Algorithm of deformation assessment for underground mine workings based on laser-scanning survey data

Paper presents an algorithm for calculating deformations using laser scanning data acquired during mine survey monitoring of underground mine workings. The novelty of the proposed method lies in determining deformations by measuring deviations of laser-reflected points from their designed positions within the workings. This approach addresses challenges in point cloud polygonization arising as a result of underground mine workings forming closed contours within cross-sections. The method calculates displacements between point clouds not in the original XYZ coordinates, but within a local coordinate system specific to the mine working. This localizes each point relative to its design position defined in the mine plan. Within this local coordinate system, the point cloud—regardless of the original working’s geometric complexity—effectively becomes topologically equivalent to a digital elevation model. This leverages techniques originally developed and tested for terrestrial surface point clouds. The proposed method was validated using laser scanning data from underground mine workings, collected with the Leica BLK-360 laser scanner. Results demonstrated the method’s effectiveness for assessing the condition of mine support systems and enabled the detection of shape changes in the workings to within 1 cm.

Vystrchil M. G., Mukminova D. Z., Baltyzhakova T. I., Ramírez L. A. Meléndez. Algorithm of deformation assessment for underground mine workings based on laser-scanning survey data. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2025;(11-1):57—76. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2025_111_0_57.

Vystrchil M. G., Ph.D., Associate Professor at the Department of Mining Engineering, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1669-7776, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, 199106, Saint-Petersburg, Vasilievsky Island, 21 line, 2, St. Petersburg, Russia, e-mail: Vystrchil_MG@pers.spmi.ru;
Mukminova D. Z., Ph.D., Head of the Laboratory for Mining Surveying Operations Support of the Geomechanics and Mining Problems Research Centre., https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5595-9150, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, 199106, Saint-Petersburg, Vasilievsky Island, 21 line, 2, St. Petersburg, Russia,, e-mail: Mukminova_DZ@pers.spmi.ru;
Baltyzhakova T. I., Ph.D., Associate Professor at the Institute of Design & Urban Studies, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9160-1167, ITMO University, 197101, Saint-Petersburg, Kronverksky Pr. 49, bldg. A, St. Petersburg, Russia, e-mail: tibaltyzhakova@itmo.ru;
Ramírez Meléndez Luis Alberto — Postgraduate at the Department of Mining Engineering, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6459-8975, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, 199106, Saint-Petersburg, Vasilievsky Island, 21 line, 2, St. Petersburg, Russia, e-mail: s243021@stud.spmi.ru.

Vystrchil M. G., e-mail: Vystrchil_MG@pers.spmi.ru.

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