This type of facility pertains to the construction of facilities within caverns, such as facilities that are attached to the top of caverns, to the side of caverns, and facilities that are able to gather the resources in caverns and sustain the environmental impacts of the enclosure of the caverns, such as hot lava flowing below in the cavern, water flowing below and the risks of flooding, lack of oxygen, dangerous gas in the cavern, and other possibilities such as the use of mining equipment in the cavern while also maintaining the strength of the facilities – including the attachment to the cavern, the shields of the facility, and uses of technologies such as transparent hydraulic jacks that allow the creation of additional structural support inside the cavern while not obstructing the view.
- Patrick R. McElhiney
- Facilities Construction Industry (FCI)