Exploration of Limestone Pillar Stability in Multiple-Level Mining Conditions Using Numerical Models

Details

• Personal Author:
  Murphy M ; Rashed G ; Slaker B
• Description:
  Many underground stone mines in the United States operate on multiple mining levels. The effects of interburden thickness, pillar offset between mining levels at various depths of cover, and in situ stress conditions are poorly understood. Pillar offset is the degree to which pillars are not columnized or stacked. In this study, calibrated numerical models are used to examine limestone pillar stability in these conditions. Also, the critical interburden thickness required to minimize the interaction between mining levels is explored. The model results show that there is interaction between numerous factors that control the stability of stone pillars in multiple-level conditions. The highest degree of local pillar instability occurs when pillar overlap ranges between 10 and 70 percent. The highest degree of stability occurs when pillars are stacked. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Geology Mining Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Ground Control Ground Control Ground Monitoring Interburden Stability Limestone Limestone Mining Multiple Level Pillar Mechanics Pillar Stability Rock Mechanics Underground Mines

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• Series:
  Mining Publications
• ISSN:
  0026-5187
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; Pennsylvania
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  PMRD - Pittsburgh Mining Research Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  35-37
• Volume:
  75
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20066798
• Citation:
  Min Eng 2023 Jan; 75(1):35-37
• Email:
  grashed@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2023
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Mining Engineering
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:7dbafd43b0df4c940c01ab258df414cecc3eb5aecae798e4d85aeb6b1aebcf369a8dca2daad3b797970cc2affe5639d6aa6b375b386c9b0241b6a033c41f7b0b
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/215591/cdc_215591_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 602.34 KB ]