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Several methods have been developed to predict mining-induced ground movements. Some of these methods, such as the profile and influence functions, have been used successfully in a number of applications. Prediction methods, however, do not address the response of surface buildings and structures to mining-induced ground movements. In order to study the response of a building to ground movements, a finite element model has been developed. The program named SRMP (Subsidence Response Modelling Program) is a large displacement, small strain, two dimensional finite element program. Such model is more appropriate than the commonly used small-displacement formulations and describes more accurately this particular problem because large displacements are involved in mining-induced ground movements. Four types of elements are employed in the program, namely plane, beam, transition and friction elements. Total Lagrangian (T.L.) formulation is used for plane elements and Updated Lagrangian (U.L.) formulation for beam, transition, and friction elements. The program consists of twenty six subroutines and requires about one mega-bytes of memory. It can model the slippage between foundation and subgrade. An important feature of SRMP is that it can simulate the excavation process continuously, without re-initiating the system variables and boundary conditions. Ground movement, building displacement, and stresses can be obtained, therefore, at each excavation stage. The accuracy of the finite element model was verified through field data. The slippage between foundation and subgrade was analysed in depth. Structural deformations and stresses induced by ground movements were also studied and damage criteria in term of ground displacements were proposed. Finally, based on the SRMP analyses, appropriate measures were developed which can provide better protection to surface structures affected by excavation-induced ground movements. / Ph. D.

As an oil exporting country, Iran heavily depends on the revenues generated from the sale its oil to the world. Oil revenues currently constitute about ninety percent of the nation's foreign exchange earnings, and serves as the most important determinant of all economic activities in the country. The dependency on oil incomes is anticipated to continue in the future, however, with the given proved stocks of oil and the country's potentials to instal higher production capacity, the rapidly increasing demand for oil in the domestic market may soon create undesirable consequences by severely limiting the availability of oil for export purposes. This is a factor of major concern for Iran as a developing country whose development plans and projects are to be met remarkably through the exports of its oil. The present study reviewed the domestic pricing policies for oil products in Iran and investigated the effects of these policies on the rapidly increasing demand for oil which has been experienced in the past few decades. The varying effects of these policies which have for a long time persisted on an artificially low domestic prices were examined in relation to the role of the world market structure for oil. Also, the alternative policies for optimal pricing of oil products based on the opportunity cost of the oil consumed in Iran were introduced in order to control and moderate the current rate of increase in demand for oil, thereby securing a longer availability of oil for both domestic consumption and export purposes. The opportunity cost of the oil was in turn analyzed under both competitive and non-competitive scenarios for the world oil market. In the non-competitive scenario, the role of OPEC policies and strategies which might restrict the total production and/or exports of oil from Iran were discussed and their impacts on the opportunity cost of the oil used in the internal market were examined. In another attempt, the opportunity cost of oil and the opportunity cost of foreign exchange were used to determine the amounts of real subsidies paid by the government on four main petroleum products including gasoline, kerosene, gas oil, and fuel oil consumed in Iran every year. The real subsidies paid in the years surveyed in this research were derived by applying the appropriate exchange rate for dollar to the international price of each product in any given year. The results of this study revealed that the nation could increase its revenues and promote the overall welfare of the country by optimally pricing of its oil for the internal consumption. / Master of Science

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A project report submitted to the faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of master of science in engineering / Industry in South Africa, and in particular the mining industry is faced with unprecedented challenges to remain profitable. [Abbreviated Abstract. Open document to view full version] / AC2017

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Thesis (M.B.A. (Rhodes Investec Business School)) - Rhodes University, 2009. / A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA)