Simulación del proceso de inundación de una mina subterránea mediante modelos numéricos.
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Date
2025
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Publisher
Universidad de Concepción
Abstract
En esta memoria se desarrollaron modelos numéricos desestructurados en FEFLOW para simular el fenómeno de inundación de dos minas subterráneas de carbón, denominadas confidencialmente Mina 1 y Mina 2, las cuales presentan interdependencia hidrogeológica. Ambas minas, actualmente cerradas e inundadas, cuentan con drenaje constante debido al riesgo de rebalse durante su proceso de inundación, como resultado de la recuperación del nivel freático o rebote de agua.
La metodología incluyó la contextualización del caso, generación del modelo conceptual, construcción de las mallas, creación de modelos numéricos, simulaciones en régimen estacionario y transitorio, y la calibración manual de parámetros hidráulicos para un periodo de cinco años.
El modelo conceptual hidrogeológico abarcó un dominio espacial de 26.8 [km²], definido por la topografía, hidrogeología y geología estructural, e incluyó cuatro unidades hidrogeológicas: macizo no fracturado, macizo fracturado, labores subterráneas y talleres de explotación de Mina 1.
Con base en este modelo conceptual, se generó el modelo numérico desestructurado en FEFLOW, lo que implicó diseñar una malla que representara el dominio, límites internos y externos, cumpliendo criterios topológicos y capturando la complejidad tridimensional de las labores subterráneas.
Finalmente, el modelo fue resuelto en régimen estacionario y transitorio, calibrando manualmente los parámetros y simulando el proceso de inundación con un error aproximado de 20 metros, atribuible a las simplificaciones y consideraciones detalladas en el desarrollo de la memoria. A pesar de las limitaciones de precisión, el modelo logra reproducir de forma adecuada el fenómeno de rebalse de las minas y la interacción hidráulica entre los niveles piezométricos de ambas minas.
Para este trabajo se emplearon los softwares AutoCAD 2021, Civil 3D 2021 y ArcGIS Desktop (10.8) en distintas etapas del proceso, adaptándose a las necesidades específicas de cada fase.
This thesis developed unstructured numerical models in FEFLOW to simulate the flooding phenomenon of two underground coal mines, confidentially referred to as Mine 1 and Mine 2, which exhibit hydrogeological interdependence. Both mines, currently closed and flooded, have constant drainage due to the risk of overflow during the flooding process, as a result of the recovery of the groundwater level or water rebound. The methodology included the contextualization of the case study, development of the conceptual model, mesh construction, creation of numerical models, simulations under steady-state and transient regimes, and manual calibration of hydraulic parameters over a five-year period. The hydrogeological conceptual model covered a spatial domain of 26.8 [km²], defined by the topography, hydrogeology, and structural geology, and included four hydrogeological units: unfractured rock mass, fractured rock mass, underground workings, and the mining workshops of Mine 1. Based on this conceptual model, an unstructured numerical model was developed in FEFLOW, which involved designing a mesh that represented the domain, internal and external boundaries, while meeting topological criteria and capturing the three-dimensional complexity of the underground workings. Finally, the model was solved under steady-state and transient regimes, manually calibrating the parameters and simulating the flooding process with an approximate error of 20 meters, attributed to the simplifications and considerations detailed in the thesis. Despite the precision limitations, the model adequately reproduces the overflow phenomenon of the mines and the hydraulic interaction between the piezometric levels of both mines. For this work, the software AutoCAD 2021, Civil 3D 2021, and ArcGIS Desktop (10.8) were used at various stages of the process, adapting to the specific needs of each phase.
This thesis developed unstructured numerical models in FEFLOW to simulate the flooding phenomenon of two underground coal mines, confidentially referred to as Mine 1 and Mine 2, which exhibit hydrogeological interdependence. Both mines, currently closed and flooded, have constant drainage due to the risk of overflow during the flooding process, as a result of the recovery of the groundwater level or water rebound. The methodology included the contextualization of the case study, development of the conceptual model, mesh construction, creation of numerical models, simulations under steady-state and transient regimes, and manual calibration of hydraulic parameters over a five-year period. The hydrogeological conceptual model covered a spatial domain of 26.8 [km²], defined by the topography, hydrogeology, and structural geology, and included four hydrogeological units: unfractured rock mass, fractured rock mass, underground workings, and the mining workshops of Mine 1. Based on this conceptual model, an unstructured numerical model was developed in FEFLOW, which involved designing a mesh that represented the domain, internal and external boundaries, while meeting topological criteria and capturing the three-dimensional complexity of the underground workings. Finally, the model was solved under steady-state and transient regimes, manually calibrating the parameters and simulating the flooding process with an approximate error of 20 meters, attributed to the simplifications and considerations detailed in the thesis. Despite the precision limitations, the model adequately reproduces the overflow phenomenon of the mines and the hydraulic interaction between the piezometric levels of both mines. For this work, the software AutoCAD 2021, Civil 3D 2021, and ArcGIS Desktop (10.8) were used at various stages of the process, adapting to the specific needs of each phase.
Description
Tesis presentada para optar al título de Ingeniero/a Civil de Minas.
Keywords
Minería subterránea, Agua en minería, Modelos matemáticos