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Mining Publication: Pillar Stability Issues Based on a Survey of Pillar Performance in Underground Limestone Mines
Keywords: Ground stability Limestone Pillars Room and pillar mining Stone mining 
 Surveys
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated. Contact NIOSH Mining if you need an accessible version.
Original creation date: August 2006
Authors: GS Esterhuizen, AT Iannacchione, JL Ellenberger, DR Dolinar
Conference Paper - August 2006
Download PDF Document (1.11 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20030834
Proceedings of 25th International Conference on Ground Control in Mining, August 1-3, 2006, Morgantown, West Virginia. Peng SS, Mark C, Finfinger G, Tadolini S, Khair AW, Heasley K, Luo Y, eds., Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University, 2006 Aug; :354-361
A survey of pillar conditions was carried out at 21 operating limestone mines that use the room-and-pillar method. The surveyed pillars were all located in rock that was classified as "Good" to "Very Good" using the RMR rock mass classification system. The average pillar width was 14.5m and the width to height ratio varied between 0.53 and 3.52. Pillar conditions were rated using a visual rating system that accounts for the effect of geological structures as well as stress related fracturing. Nine cases of pillar instability were recorded. Pillar instabilities were typically limited to individual pillars or small groups of pillars within an otherwise stable layout. Local geological structures such as inclined discontinuities or weak bedding planes contributed to instability in seven of nine cases that were observed. Elevated pillar stresses contributed to instability in the two remaining cases. All the unstable pillars observed had width-to-height ratios of less than 1.5. It is concluded that pillar instability is most likely to be caused by unfavorable geological structures in pillars with width to height ratios of less than 1.5. Stress related instability such as rib spalling becomes more prevalent when the average pillar stress approaches approximately 20 MPa.
Image of publication Pillar Stability Issues Based on a Survey of Pillar Performance in Underground Limestone MinesConference Paper - August 2006
Download PDF Document (1.11 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20030834
Proceedings of 25th International Conference on Ground Control in Mining, August 1-3, 2006, Morgantown, West Virginia. Peng SS, Mark C, Finfinger G, Tadolini S, Khair AW, Heasley K, Luo Y, eds., Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University, 2006 Aug; :354-361
See Also
Assessment of Stable and Failed Pillars in Underground Limestone Mines
Effect of the Dip and Excavation Orientation on Roof Stability in Moderately Dipping Stone Mine Workings
Effects of Weak Bands on Pillar Stability in Stone Mines: Field Observations and Numerical Model Assessment
Field Observations and Numerical Studies of Horizontal Stress Effects on Roof Stability in U.S. Limestone Mines
Noise Assessment of Stone/Aggregate Mines: Six Case Studies
Pillar Design Issues for Underground Stone Mines
Pillar Strength and Design Methodology for Stone Mines
Pillar Strength in Underground Stone Mines in the United States
Propagation of UHF Radio Waves in Limestone Room and Pillar Mines
Stability Analysis of a Backfilled Room-and-Pillar Mine
Page last reviewed: September 20, 2012
Page last updated: September 20, 2012
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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