Title: Stability analysis of underground stope pillars using three dimensional numerical modelling techniques

Authors: Sreenivasa Rao Islavath; Debasis Deb

Addresses: Department of Mining Engineering, University College of Engineering (Kakatiya University), Kothagudem, Telangana, 507 101, India ' Department of Mining Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721 302, India

Abstract: An underground chromite deposit of strike length 290 m, width 20 m and having dip of 10 degrees with horizontal is bounded between the county rock of weathered serpentinite, serpentinite, quartzite and pyroxenite and is planned to be extracted by sub level open stoping method. The portal of the decline and shaft are located in the foot-wall of the orebody. The stope dimensions are to be determined for safe extraction of chromite ore body. For this purpose, three dimensional finite element method is adopted to develop the stope model along with decline and shaft. This study establishes the suitable pillar dimension, length and width of stope and roof bolting based on development of stresses, displacements and yield zone around the excavations.

Keywords: displacement; finite element model; shaft; stope pillars; rib pillars; drives; decline; principal stress and safety factor.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2018.096103

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2018 Vol.9 No.3, pp.198 - 215

Received: 06 Dec 2017
Accepted: 13 Apr 2018
Published online: 12 Nov 2018 *

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