RESULTS OF 3D ELECTRICAL IMAGING SURVEYS FOR SEARCHING OF KARST CAVERNS IN SALT TAILINGS PILES

Abstract

There is a problem of safe exploitation of potash salt tailings piles in conditions of continuous propagation of karst caverns, which is caused by constant surface and ground water flow. The measures to eliminate and prevent the consequences of karst impacts may cause the threat to lives of people, the damage to existing buildings and structures and the damage to construction equipment. To solve this problem most effectively it is recommended to carry out engineering and geophysical surveys which enable to evaluate the position and size of karst caverns and other heterogeneities of the tailings pile. This paper shows the search for karsts near the conveyor line, where the construction of the foundation for this line is planned. The unmanned aerial vehicle helped in building a three-dimensional model of the earth's surface. According to available a priori information, a geological and geophysical model of the blade was created. Electrotomography measurements were carried out on several profiles. Then the data were processed in programs for 2D and 3D data inversion. The data obtained from the three-dimensional inversion showed a better correlation with the geological and geophysical model. The anomalies found were then confirmed during the construction work. Thus, the data obtained from two-dimensional measurements can be effectively
subjected to three-dimensional inversion.