3D Digital Twin for Dynamic Rock Movement Visualization at the SX Mine Using Virtual Reality

Abstract

Ground stability is crucial in underground mining, as rock mass displacement can lead to failures like ground falls, a major cause of fatalities. Traditional predictive models struggle to accurately forecast displacement, making real-time monitoring essential. However, managing vast amounts of geotechnical data presents challenges. Even though challenges exist around assessing rock mass conditions for ground fall, there are no systematic approaches to implementing real-time monitoring, nor are there technologies being developed that save engineers’ and workers’ time. This dissertation introduces a digital twin (DT) that provides a dynamic three-dimensional (3D) representation of underground mine openings that employs scientific visualizations and immersive analytics (IA) in virtual reality (VR). The overall goal of the dissertation is to provide an effective and efficient communication tool for underground safety concerns surrounding rock movement caused by displacement. The ability to communicate safety promptly allows for the mitigation of accidents and fatalities and allows for the right action to be taken. A monitoring framework with near-real-time visualization is developed and implemented at the San Xavier Underground Mine Laboratory (SX mine). Rock displacement data is collected using a proposed monitoring framework and transferred to a 3D DT in near-real time and visualized as a Trigger Action and Response Plan (TARP) level heatmap. This approach improves spatial analysis, enhances implementations of TARP protocols, and supports better geotechnical decision-making, all while increasing operational efficiency. The geotechnical DT was developed by following the proposed monitoring framework and standards set by DT industry experts, enabling near-real-time data flow to feed the visualizations. The scientific visualizations were developed as a displacement heatmap on the surface of a 3D model to be analyzed intuitively and competently. Finally, to fully utilize the 3D visualization, the DT is implemented into a VR platform where a user can immerse themselves in the 3D visualization. A structured monitoring framework is proposed to address the lack of standardized guidelines for DTs, visual analytics (VA), and VR in underground mining. Implemented at the SX mine using Unity, this cost-effective DT demonstrates the potential of advanced visualization technologies to improve mine safety, ground support design, and geotechnical analysis.