The Sinkhole Occurrence Risk Mitigation in Urban Areas for the Historic Salt Mine

Abstract

The present research focuses on the definition of a novel methodology for sinkhole risk assessment above shallow salt mines. The research were carried out on the area above the salt mine, a World Heritage site. The study of vertical stresses on the basis of a theoretical state of rock mass deformation in the area of test chambers was performed. Furthermore, the risk of chamber collapse due to ventricular stress exceeding the limit specified in the zone were calculated based on the arch pressure theory. The final stage of the research consists of spatial analysis that leading to the identification of chambers potentially influenced by other risk factors. The research shown in the article strongly suggests that combined spatial analysis with analysis may lead to reliable sinkhole risk assessment methodology.