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Ground Engineering - Principles and Practices for Underground Coal Mining pp 525–565Cite as

Managing Risk in Ground Engineering

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Abstract

All stages in the life cycle of a construction in geological materials are characterised by uncertainty. This is because it is neither practical nor economically feasible to fully identify the composition and properties of ground engineering materials. The geological, geomechanical and geotechnical engineering knowledge bases that underpin stability assessment and design are still evolving. Moreover, there is a range of design approaches, each of which has its strengths and its weaknesses, and ground conditions can change over time. A Ground Control Management Plan (GCMP) that is consistent with ISO 31000, the international standard for risk management, provides a basis for safely and effectively managing geotechnical uncertainty.

The philosophy behind a GCMP and the generic structure for a GCMP are presented. A distinction is drawn between the concepts of reducing risk to ‘as low as reasonably practicable’ and reducing risk to ‘so far as is reasonably practical’. Matters considered include Risk Assessment Techniques and Processes; Hazard Plans; Trigger Action Response Plans (TARPs); Professional Competencies; Change Management; Auditing of Risk Assessments; Residual Risk; and Monitoring Devices and Strategies. Extracts from a range of GCMPs are presented in the chapter and associated appendices to illustrated aspects of these elements.

Monitoring is integral to the effectiveness of a GCMP, both for avoiding an unwanted event and in managing the consequences of such an event occurring. The chapter concludes with a discussion of instrumentation options and monitoring strategies and a reminder that the most important consideration in ground engineering must always be the safeguarding of health and safety.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Manly, NSW, Australia

    J. M. Galvin

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Galvin, J.M. (2016). Managing Risk in Ground Engineering. In: Ground Engineering - Principles and Practices for Underground Coal Mining . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25005-2_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25005-2_12

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-25003-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-25005-2

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