Direct least squares and derivative-free optimisation techniques for determining mine-induced horizontal ground displacement

The paper presents the results of analyses concerning a new approach to approximating trajectory of mining-induced horizontal displacements. Analyses aimed at finding the most effective method of fitting data to the trajectory of mining-induced horizontal displacements. Two variants were made. In the first, the direct least square fitting (DLSF) method was applied based on the minimization of the objective function defined in the form of an algebraic distance. In the second, the effectiveness of differential-free optimization methods (DFO) was verified. As part of this study, the following methods were tested: genetic algorithms (GA), differential evolution (DE) and particle swarm optimization (PSO). The data for the analysis were measurements of on the ground surface caused by the mining progressive work at face no. 698 of the German Prospel-Haniel mine. The results obtained were compared in terms of the fitting quality, the stability of the results and the time needed to carry out the calculations. Finally, it was found that the direct least square fitting (DLSF) approach is the most effective for the analyzed registration data base. In the authors’ opinion, this is dictated by the angular range in which the measurements within a given measuring point oscillated.