Using the Bentley MicroStation environment to program calculations of predicted ground subsidence caused by underground mining exploitation

The paper presents a new concept of creating a program for calculating ground subsidence caused by underground mining extraction, which is substantially different than previously used solutions. Instead of compiling the calculation algorithm to an executable file, the whole application algorithm has been written in the Bentley MicroStation graphic environment’s interpreted language. This graphic environment is used in mining for keeping mining maps and the format is used for storing finished and designed mining exploitation data sets. The paper describes S. Knothe’s theory of the influence of mining exploitation on the terrain surface in the context of the calculation methodology used for terrain subsidence computation. Based on the theory of influence, the structure of the created MVBA (MicroStation Visual Basic for Applications) algorithm for interpolating subsidence contours is described. The new application is called uDEFO. Calculation results from the program are compared with calculation results from software currently used in coal mines.