Laser scanner applied to stability analysis in underground excavation: Tabiporã Mine, Campo Largo, PR, Brazil

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the application of the laser scanner (light detection and ranging – LIDAR) in the identification of geological structures and its geotechnical implications in an underground gallery in order to prevent block fall. Part of the Tabiporã Mine gallery was scanned to obtain a georeferenced cloud point that was used to create a 3D model. Remote data acquisition using laser scanner proved to be a practical, fast and effective procedure to map geological structures. This approach can be useful to workers safety and to reduce project costs. The model generated by the cloud point enabled the selection of a set of points representing geological discontinuities. The points were triangulated and the result was a series of planes with determined strikes and dip directions, representing groups of fractures. Direct measures of fracture planes in the field were compared to the indirect data. The result shows the method’s efficacy as an alternative method to identify fracture’s direction in harmful areas with very difficult access. This indirect evaluation of rock masses can be used to ensure labors safety, although technological development of the method are still necessary to improve results.