Authors: Robert D. Krebs, geotechnical engineer, and Carl E. Zipper, soils researcher, Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research, Virginia Tech
Publication Number 460-115, posted January 1997
Characteristics of mined benches produced by "shoot and shove" mining in steeply-sloping terrain prior to implementation of current law. The fill beneath the building is shallow and well[-weathered, with minimum settlement potential. The structure is firmly supported by the undisturbed bench, well removed from the potential slide area. The dip of the undisturbed bench back toward the highwall moves water away from the potential slide area. The bench also slopes toward or away from the viewer, preventing water from ponding at the base of the highwall, which could cause the fill material to become saturated.
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