Evaluation of flooding induced mining seismicity with a view to characterize safety margins for surface structures under existing and flooded condictions in the Central Rand, Johannesburg

Abstract

The recent mining-induced seismic history and increased flooding of abandoned mines in the Central Rand, Johannesburg, has established uncertainty as to the magnitudes and intensities of the future seismicity. The Central Business District (CBD) area of Johannesburg is located close to the mined-out reef (abandoned mines) and consists of surface structures of various types, such as masonry, concrete, steel, low-rise and high- rise buildings. In the absence of site-specific mining-induced seismic parameters, there exists an uncertainty in the evaluation of risk to the safety and stability of surface structures from the mining-induced seismicity in future.