Note: Intro -- Preface -- Thesis Abstract -- Contents -- 1 Presentation -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.1.1 The Large Underground Volumes -- 1.1.2 Objective of Studying the Underground Large Volumes -- 1.1.3 New Data Since the 1984 Thesis Work -- 1.2 Definition of Large Underground Karst Volumes -- 1.3 Method for Studying the Large Chambers -- 1.3.1 Introduction -- 1.3.2 Means and Techniques -- 1.3.3 Equipment -- 1.3.3.1 Measurement of the Floor -- 1.3.3.2 Measurement of the Ceiling -- 1.3.4 Method -- 1.3.4.1 Survey of the Floor -- 1.3.4.2 Survey of the Ceiling -- 1.3.5 Graphic Restitution -- References -- 2 Monographs -- 2.1 Aven Armand (Hures-La-Parade, Lozere, France) -- 2.1.1 Description -- 2.1.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.1.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.2 Baume Sainte Anne Shaft (Sainte Anne, Doubs, France) -- 2.2.1 Description -- 2.2.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.2.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.3 Bédeilhac Cave (Bédeilhac, Ariège, France) -- 2.3.1 Description -- 2.3.2 Geology -- 2.4 Bournillon (Chatelus, Isère, France) -- 2.4.1 Description -- 2.4.2 Geology -- 2.4.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.5 Castelette (Nans-Les-Pins, Var, France) -- 2.5.1 Description -- 2.5.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.5.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.6 Cennet and Cehennem Chasms (Narlikuyu, Silifke, Turkey) -- 2.6.1 Description -- 2.6.1.1 Cennet Düdeni (Paradise Chasm) -- 2.6.1.2 Cehennem Düdeni (Hell Chasm) -- 2.6.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.6.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.7 Mont Blanc Hall-Champclos Fountain (Les Vans, Ardèche, France) -- 2.7.1 Description -- 2.7.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.7.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.8 Coufin Cave (Choranche, Isère, France) -- 2.8.1 Description -- 2.8.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.8.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.9 Fouillac Shaft (Saint-Jean-de-Bruèges, Hérault, France) -- 2.9.1 Description -- 2.9.2 Geology and Hydrogeology. , 2.9.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.10 Kocain (Huge Cave) (Ahırtaş, Antalya, Turkey) -- 2.10.1 Description -- 2.10.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.10.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.11 Mas D'Azil Cave (Mas D'Azil, Ariège, France) -- 2.11.1 Description -- 2.11.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.11.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.12 Moras Cave (Rencurel, Isère, France) -- 2.12.1 Description -- 2.12.2 Geology -- 2.12.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.13 Mort Ru Cave (Saint-Mème, Isère, France) -- 2.13.1 Description -- 2.13.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.13.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.14 Aven Noir (Nant, Aveyron, France) -- 2.14.1 Description -- 2.14.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.14.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.15 Aven d'Orgnac-De Joly Hall (Orgnac, Ardèche, France) -- 2.15.1 Description -- 2.15.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.15.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.16 Padirac Shaft (Padirac, Lot, France) -- 2.16.1 Description -- 2.16.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.16.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.17 La Verna Chamber (Pierre Saint-Martin Cave Network) (Saint Engrace, Pyrénées Atlantiques, France) -- 2.17.1 Description -- 2.17.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.17.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.18 Barrenc Du Pla de Périllos (Pla de Périllos Shaft) (Périllos, Pyrénées-Orientales, France) -- 2.18.1 Description -- 2.18.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.18.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.19 Poudrey Shaft (Etalans, Doubs, France) -- 2.19.1 Description -- 2.19.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.19.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.20 Pradières (Bédeilhac, Ariège, France) -- 2.20.1 Description -- 2.20.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.20.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.21 Ravières Shaft (Orchamp-Vennes, Doubs, France) -- 2.21.1 Description -- 2.21.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.21.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.22 Réveillon Porch (Alvignac, Lot, France) -- 2.22.1 Description. , 2.22.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.22.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.23 Riusec Cave (Portet-D'Aspet, Haute-Garonne, France) -- 2.23.1 Description -- 2.23.1.1 Trombe Hall (Fig. 2.157) -- 2.23.1.2 A Hall (Fig. 2.160) -- 2.23.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.23.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.24 Sabart Cave: Big Chamber and Renouveau Chamber (Sabart, Ariège, France) -- 2.24.1 Description -- 2.24.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.24.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.25 Tindoul de la Vayssière Shaft (Salles-la-Source, Aveyron, France) -- 2.25.1 Description -- 2.25.2 Geology and Hydrogeology -- 2.25.3 Genesis and Stability -- 2.26 List of Participants to the Survey Works -- References -- 3 Comparative Analysis and Synthesis -- 3.1 Overview-Summary Table -- 3.2 Classification of Caves -- 3.3 Geographical Location -- 3.3.1 Regional Distribution -- 3.3.2 Relationships with the Surface -- 3.3.2.1 Thickness of Rock Above the Ceiling -- 3.3.2.2 Proximity of the Slope -- 3.3.2.3 Relationships with Surface Morphology -- 3.4 Geological Context (Table 3.3) -- 3.4.1 Regional Context -- 3.4.2 Petrography -- 3.4.3 Stratigraphy-Lithology -- 3.4.4 Discontinuities -- 3.4.4.1 Sedimentary Discontinuities -- 3.4.4.2 Faults and Joints -- 3.4.5 Role of Discontinuities -- 3.4.5.1 Morphology -- 3.4.5.2 Genesis -- 3.4.5.3 Conclusion -- 3.5 Hydrogeology -- 3.5.1 Role of Water -- 3.5.2 Ancient and Current Discharges -- 3.6 Fillings -- 3.6.1 Blockfields -- 3.6.1.1 Origin and Diversity of Blocks -- 3.6.1.2 Size of the Blocks -- 3.6.2 Clayey Fillings -- 3.6.2.1 Current Clay Fillings -- 3.6.2.2 Old Clay Fillings -- 3.6.3 Allochthon Filling -- 3.6.4 Speleothems -- 3.6.4.1 Repartition -- 3.6.4.2 Supporting Role of Speleothems -- 3.6.5 Evolution of Filling -- 3.6.6 Age of Speleothems -- 3.7 Cave Shape -- 3.7.1 Conditions of Observation -- 3.7.2 Various Shapes of Ceiling. , 3.7.2.1 Rounded or Domed Vaults -- 3.7.2.2 Structural Roofs -- 3.7.3 Comparison Between the Observed Forms -- 3.7.3.1 Rounded Arches -- 3.7.3.2 Slab Roofs -- 3.8 Chamber Genesis -- 3.8.1 Digging Factors -- 3.8.2 Different Types of Digging -- 3.8.2.1 Dissolution (and Collapse-Dissolution) (Be) -- 3.8.2.2 Dissolution and Collapse -- 3.8.2.3 Scouring-Racking and Collapse -- 3.8.3 Evolution -- 3.8.4 Current Stability of Large Underground Volumes -- 3.9 Conclusion of the Fieldwork -- References -- 4 Application to the Digging of Artificial Chambers -- 4.1 Classical Artificial Chambers -- 4.1.1 Various Types of Underground Realizations -- 4.1.2 Mode of Realization of Underground Hydroelectric Power Plants (After Plichon et al. 1978) -- 4.1.2.1 Location -- 4.1.2.2 Studies and Recognitions -- 4.1.2.3 Plant Shapes -- 4.1.2.4 Digging Phases -- 4.2 Application of the Thesis to the Creation of Very Large Artificial Chambers -- 4.2.1 General Principles -- 4.2.2 Remarks on the Stability of Fracture Walls -- 4.2.3 Favorable Structures -- 4.3 A Page of Humor -- References -- 5 Study of Sarawak Chamber -- 5.1 Origin of the Project -- 5.2 Short Description of Sarawak Chamber in the Thesis Work -- 5.3 Sarawak 1993 Project -- 5.4 Mulu Caves -- 5.4.1 Location and History of Mulu Caves -- 5.4.2 Geology (After Webb 1981) -- 5.4.2.1 Regional Context -- 5.4.2.2 Melinau Limestone -- 5.4.2.3 Structure -- 5.4.3 Geomorphology -- 5.5 Sarawak Chamber -- 5.5.1 History and Survey -- 5.5.2 Description -- 5.5.3 Structure of Sarawak Chamber -- 5.5.4 Chamber Genesis -- 5.6 Deer Cave -- 5.6.1 Description -- 5.6.2 Structure -- 5.6.3 Genesis -- 5.7 Conclusion on Mulu Caves -- References -- 6 The Future of Underground Plants -- 6.1 Current Examples of Large Underground Volumes -- 6.1.1 Underground Plants -- 6.1.2 Underground Cavern Hall for Public Use -- 6.1.3 Underground Quarry. , 6.2 General Conclusion -- References.