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http://dx.doi.org/10.9711/KTAJ.2013.15.4.443

A numerical study on evaluation of unsupported pillar strength in the room and pillar method  

Lee, Chulho (Geotechnical Engineering Research Division, Korea Institute of Construction Technology)
Chang, Soo-Ho (Geotechnical Engineering Research Division, Korea Institute of Construction Technology)
Shin, Hyu-Soung (Geotechnical Engineering Research Division, Korea Institute of Construction Technology)
Publication Information
Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association / v.15, no.4, 2013 , pp. 443-453 More about this Journal
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the mechanical behaviors of unsupported rock pillars in a room-and-pillar underground structure by a series of numerical analyses. In addition, rock pillar strengths estimated by a few empirical equations proposed for underground mines are compared with those from numerical analyses. Based on the results from the numerical analysis, the ratio of pillar strength to rock mass strength increases as the ratio of the width of a pillar to its height becomes bigger. It means that higher ratio of pillar width to its height is much more favorable for stabilizing a room-and-pillar underground structure. Especially, unsupported pillar strengths estimated from numerical analyses are higher than rock mass strength when the ratio of pillar width to height is approximately over 1.5. It is also found that the choice of an empirical equation appropriate for a given geometric condition of a pillar is important for its feasible application to the stability analysis of a pillar in the room-and-pillar method.
Keywords
Room and pillar method; Rock pillar; Uniaxial compression strength; Rock classification; Numerical analysis;
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Times Cited By KSCI : 2  (Citation Analysis)
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