Open Cut » Rock Mechanics
Rigorous hydrogeological studies are widely undertaken in the Australian coal mining industry, but do not address groundwater pressure distribution at the localised scale and detail required for rigorous geotechnical stability analysis. In the era prior to development of computer technology, groundwater pressure modelling required labour-intensive application of theoretical concepts calibrated by a deep technical understanding of both laboratory and field investigations
Over the past 50 years, detailed numerical modelling of groundwater pressure distributions has been developed. It is now very easy to apply complex procedures and obtain apparently successful outcomes with minimal understanding of the scientific principles and little sense of whether or not the outcomes are justifiable or can be substantiated by field measurements. There has been an industry-wide loss of knowledge of how to undertake credible groundwater pressure modelling and how to meaningfully design modern piezometers and interpret piezometer data.
These guidelines have been developed to explain and reinforce the underlying principles of groundwater pressure distribution modelling, promote technically sound geotechnical practice regarding groundwater pressure and flow, and to introduce the principles involved in piezometer design and data interpretation. The intention is to encourage analyses that are both scientifically defensible and practically meaningful.