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Open Access Research Article

Advanced Optimisation Of Ground Support Systems for Enhancing Underground Tunnel Stability in Geologically Adverse Conditions

by Richard Terence Masethe 1,* ,  Richard Masethe 2  and  Tawanda Zvarivadza 1,.3
1
Department of Mining Engineering, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
2
School of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal Durban, South Africa
3
Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resource Engineering, Lulea University of Technology, Sweden
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
RML  2025 2(1):9; https://doi.org/10.70425/rml.202501.9
Received: 9 November 2024 / Accepted: 18 January 2025 / Published Online: 7 February 2025
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Abstract

This research aims to optimize ground support systems for underground tunnels in geologically challenging environments, specifically addressing the reduction of Fall of Ground (FOG) incidents in a gold mine in Mashava, Zimbabwe. The study integrates advanced detection and classification methodologies to enhance tunnel stability and safety. Tunnel Reflection Tomography (TRT) was employed to identify unfavorable geological structures ahead of excavation, while core logging at 20 locations on level 7 provided rock mass quality assessments using three classification systems: Bieniawski’s Rock Mass Rating (RMR), Laubscher’s Mining Rock Mass Rating (MRMR), and Barton’s Q-system. The results consistently indicated poor rock mass quality, informing the design and refinement of a robust ground support system. Fallout height data from past FOG incidents and probabilistic key block analysis using J-Block software further validated the support system's effectiveness. The findings significantly reduce collapse risks and downtime, enhancing operational safety and efficiency. This research contributes to developing practical strategies and tools for improving tunnel stability in complex geological settings, offering valuable insights for future advancements in mining support technologies. The study's necessity stems from the industry's growing demand for innovative solutions to enhance tunnel stability in adverse geological settings, particularly in regions with limited access to advanced technologies or methodologies.

Keywords: Ground support; Reflection Tomography; Tunnel stability; Rock Mass Rating; Empirical support design;
Copyright: © 2025 by Masethe, Masethe and Zvarivadza. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
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ACS Style
Masethe, R. T.; Masethe, R.; Zvarivadza, T. Advanced Optimisation Of Ground Support Systems for Enhancing Underground Tunnel Stability in Geologically Adverse Conditions. Rock Mechanics Letters, 2025, 2, 9. https://doi.org/10.70425/rml.202501.9
AMA Style
Masethe R T, Masethe R, Zvarivadza T. Advanced Optimisation Of Ground Support Systems for Enhancing Underground Tunnel Stability in Geologically Adverse Conditions. Rock Mechanics Letters; 2025, 2(1):9. https://doi.org/10.70425/rml.202501.9
Chicago/Turabian Style
Masethe, Richard T.; Masethe, Richard; Zvarivadza, Tawanda 2025. "Advanced Optimisation Of Ground Support Systems for Enhancing Underground Tunnel Stability in Geologically Adverse Conditions" Rock Mechanics Letters 2, no.1:9. https://doi.org/10.70425/rml.202501.9
APA Style
Masethe, R. T., Masethe, R., & Zvarivadza, T. (2025). Advanced Optimisation Of Ground Support Systems for Enhancing Underground Tunnel Stability in Geologically Adverse Conditions. Rock Mechanics Letters, 2(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.70425/rml.202501.9

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