Models for geomechanical characterization of the rock mass formations at DUSEL using Data Mining techniques

Abstract

The former Homestake gold mine in Lead, South Dakota, was selected as the site for DUSEL (Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory) by the National Science Foundation. Several reports were done by a consortium of companies concerning geological and geotechnical studies performed at 4850 level. In this paper a summary of these studies are presented. The geotechnical information was used for the development of new geomechanical characterization models using Data Mining techniques in the scope of the DUSEL project. Models for RMR, Q and GSI were developed using several algorithms, as well as models applying Bayesian networks.