Analytical and Numerical Stability Analysis of Underground Pillars Subjected to Shear Loading: A Case Study of the Chaabet El Hamra Zinc Mine, Algeria | ||
| Journal of Mining and Environment | ||
| مقاله 8، دوره 17، شماره 3، مرداد و شهریور 2026، صفحه 895-914 اصل مقاله (13.95 M) | ||
| نوع مقاله: Original Research Paper | ||
| شناسه دیجیتال (DOI): 10.22044/jme.2025.16677.3272 | ||
| نویسندگان | ||
| Samia Chaoui1؛ Adel Djellali* 1؛ Benghazi Zied1؛ Sarker Debojit2 | ||
| 1Environmental Laboratory, Department of Mining and Geotechnology, Mining Institute, Echahid Cheikh Larbi Tebessi University, Tebessa, Algeria. | ||
| 2HNTB, 9 Entin Rd, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054, USA | ||
| چکیده | ||
| This study aims to investigate the stability of rooms and pillars along the inclined zinc orebody at the Chaabet El Hamra underground mine (Setif, Algeria). Stability was initially assessed using an analytical shear strength model, with the results subsequently validated through numerical modeling. Geomechanical characterization revealed low interstitial porosity, strong to very strong uniaxial compressive strengths ranging from 50.4 MPa to 129 MPa, and significant fracture-related secondary porosity. Rock Mass Rating (RMR89) and Geological Strength Index (GSI) values suggest fair to good rock quality. The mine design features square pillars inclined at 10°, with walls originally oriented perpendicular to the orebody dip, measuring 5 m in width and 3 m in height. The rooms, situated under a cover depth of 145.3 m, are 9 m wide. This configuration yielded an effective extraction rate of 87.24% and a safety factor of 1.63, indicating stable mining conditions. Phase 2D finite-element simulation confirmed these findings, showing a maximum displacement of 3.96 mm, surface subsidence of 0.57 mm, and a safety factor of 1.66, suggesting minimal environmental impact and long-term stability. Shear/compressive stress results from tributary area theory, aligning with numerical results and validating both approaches for inclined orebodies. Finally, the pillar walls, originally perpendicular to the orebody dip, were modified to be vertical relative to the horizontal plane, while maintaining the same pillar and room dimensions and cover depth. This adjustment improved stability by enhancing stress distribution and pillar core confinement, increasing the safety factor to 1.85. | ||
| کلیدواژهها | ||
| Extraction rate؛ Inclined pillars؛ Safety factor؛ Analytical model؛ Numerical modeling | ||
| مراجع | ||
|
[1]. Dzimunya, N. Z., & Fujii, Y. (2024). A proposed framework to estimate pillar strength in room-and-pillar hard rock mines. In ARMA US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium (p. D022S018R004). ARMA.
[2]. Toderas, M. (2024). Stability analysis of the exploitation system with room and pillar by analytical methods. Applied Sciences, 14(5), 1827.
[3]. Cano Nunez, A. E., Arroyo Ortiz, C. E., & Margarida da Silva, J. (2022). Effect of Dynamic Stress Produced by Rock Blasting on the Optimal Dimensioning of Room and Pillars in Horizontal Layers. Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, 2022(1), 7826557.
[4]. Pariseau, W.G. (2011). Design Analysis in Rock Mechanics, 2nd ed.; CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, USA.
[5]. Luo, B., Ye, Y., Li, Y., Luo, J., Chen, H. (2018). Safety factor method for stability of inclined pillars under Mohr-Coulomb criterion. J. China Coal Soc, 43, 2408–2415. (in Chinese).
[6]. Cai, Y., Jin, Y., Wang, Z., Chen, T., Wang, Y., Kong, W., ... & Hu, H. (2023). A review of monitoring, calculation, and simulation methods for ground subsidence induced by coal mining. International journal of coal science & technology, 10(1), 32.
[7]. Kvapil, R.L., Beaza, J.R., Flores, G. (1989). Block caving at EI Teniente Mine, Chile. Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. Sect. A Min. Technol, 98, 43–56.
[8]. Ardehjani, E. A., Ataei, M., Sereshki, F., Mirzaghorbanali, A., & Aziz, N. (2024). Examining the Impact of Coal Gas Emissions on the Stability Analysis of Coal Pillars: A Critical Literature Review. Rudarsko-geološko-naftni zbornik, 39(3), 77-94.
[9]. Ardehjani, E. A., Ataei, M., Sereshki, F., Mirzaghorbanali, A., & Aziz, N. (2025). Impact of CO2 and methane adsorption and emission on coal's mechanical properties and pillar stability: Implications for ECBM and CO2 sequestration. Energy, 333, 137438.
[10]. Sarfarazi, V., Haeri, H., & Khaloo, A. (2016). The effect of non-persistent joints on sliding direction of rock slopes. Comput. Concrete, 17(6), 723-737.
[11]. Fu, J., Sarfarazi, V., Haeri, H., Zarei, A. S., Bahrami, R., Imani, M., & Marji, M. F. (2024). Experimental and Numerical Analyses of Shear Failure Mechanisms of Rock Bolt Surrounded by Bedded Rock. International Journal of Geomechanics, 24(12), 04024276.
[12]. Hedley, D. G. F., & Grant, F. (1972). Stope-and-pillar design for the Elliot Lake Uranium Mines.
[13]. Krauland, N., & Soder, P. E. (1987). Determining pillar strength-from pillar failure observation. E&MJ-Engineering and Mining Journal, 188(8), 34-40.
[14]. Lunder, P. J., & Pakalnis, R. C. (1997). Determination of the strength of hard-rock mine pillars. CIM bulletin, 90(1013), 51-55.
[15]. Ghasemi, E., Ataei, M., & Shahriar, K. (2014). An intelligent approach to predict pillar sizing in designing room and pillar coal mines. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 65, 86-95.
[16]. Ghasemi, E., Ataei, M., & Shahriar, K. (2014). Prediction of global stability in room and pillar coal mines. Natural hazards, 72(2), 405-422.
[17]. Kunkyin-Saadaari, F., Offei, J. B., Sadique, S. I., Agadzie, V. K., & Forson, I. A. (2025). Investigating the Applicability of Stacked Generalization Technique for the Prediction of Hard Rock Pillar Stability Status. Journal of Mining and Environment, 16(3), 907-923.
[18]. Abdollahi, M. S., Najafi, M., Yarahamdi Bafghi, A., & Rafiee, R. (2024). A new method for stability analysis of chain pillar in longwall mining by using coulmann graphical method. Journal of Mining and Environment, 15(4), 1461-1476.
[19]. Najafi, M., Jalali, S. M., Sereshki, F., & Yarahmadi, B. A. (2016). Probabilistic analysis of stability of chain pillars in Tabas coal mine in Iran using Monte Carlo simulation.
[20]. Rezaei, A., Sarfarazi, V., Babanouri, N., Omidi Manesh, M., & Jahanmiri, S. (2023). Failure Mechanism of Rock Pillar Containing Two Edge Notches: Experimental Test and Numerical Simulation. Journal of Mining and Environment, 14(3), 961-971.
[21]. Sarfarazi, V., Karimi Javid, H., & Asgari, K. (2021). Study of rock pillar failure consisting of non-persistent joint using experimental test and fracture analysis code in two dimensions. Journal of Mining and Environment, 12(1), 163-179.
[22]. Sarfarazi, V., Fu, J., Haeri, H., Abharian, S., Rasekh, H., Behzadinasab, M., & Fatehi Marji, M. (2024). Mechanical characteristics and crack propagation mechanism in rectangular and trapezoidal specimens of excavated pillars with various cavities: experimental and numerical investigations. Computational Particle Mechanics, 11(5), 2069-2087.
[23]. Fu, J., Haeri, H., Sarfarazi, V., Babanouri, N., Rezaei, A., Manesh, M. O., ... & Fatehi Marji, M. (2023). Effects of axial loading width and immediate roof thickness on the failure mechanism of a notched roof in room and pillar mining: Experimental test and numerical simulation. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 56(1), 719-745.
[24]. Jessu, K. V., Spearing, A. J., & Sharifzadeh, M. (2018). Laboratory and numerical investigation on strength performance of inclined pillars. Energies, 11(11), 3229.
[25]. He, Q., Li, Y., & She, S. (2019). Mechanical properties of basalt specimens under combined compression and shear loading at low strain rates. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 52(10), 4101-4112.
[26]. He, Q., Li, Y., Xu, J., & Zhang, C. (2020). Prediction of mechanical properties of igneous rocks under combined compression and shear loading through statistical analysis. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 53(2), 841-859.
[27]. Xu, S., Huang, J., Wang, P., Zhang, C., Zhou, L., & Hu, S. (2015). Investigation of rock material under combined compression and shear dynamic loading: an experimental technique. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 86, 206-222.
[28]. Jessu, K. V., & Spearing, A. J. S. (2018). Effect of dip on pillar strength. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 118(7), 765-776.
[29]. Lorig, L. J., & Cabrera, A. (2013). Pillar strength estimates for foliated and inclined pillars in schistose material. In Proceedings of the 3rd international FLAC/DEM symposium, Hangzhou, China (pp. 22-24).
[30]. Ma, T., Wang, L., Suorineni, F. T., & Tang, C. (2016). Numerical analysis on failure modes and mechanisms of mine pillars under shear loading. Shock and Vibration, 2016(1), 6195482.
[31]. Garza-Cruz, T., Pierce, M., & Board, M. (2019). Effect of shear stresses on pillar stability: a back analysis of the troy mine experience to predict pillar performance at Montanore Mine. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 52(12), 4979-4996.
[32]. Suorineni, F. T., Mgumbwa, J. J., Kaiser, P. K., & Thibodeau, D. (2014). Mining of orebodies under shear loading Part 2–failure modes and mechanisms. Mining Technology, 123(4), 240-249.
[33]. Rashed, G., Slaker, B., Sears, M. M., & Murphy, M. M. (2021). A parametric study for the effect of dip on stone mine pillar stability using a simplified model geometry. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, 38(2), 967-977.
[34]. Das, A. J., Mandal, P. K., Bhattacharjee, R., Tiwari, S., Kushwaha, A., & Roy, L. B. (2017). Evaluation of stability of underground workings for exploitation of an inclined coal seam by the ubiquitous joint model. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 93, 101-114.
[35]. Das, A. J., Mandal, P. K., Paul, P. S., Sinha, R. K., & Tewari, S. (2019). Assessment of the strength of inclined coal pillars through numerical modelling based on the ubiquitous joint model. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 52(10), 3691-3717.
[36]. Das, A. J., Mandal, P. K., Paul, P. S., & Sinha, R. K. (2019). Generalised analytical models for the strength of the inclined as well as the flat coal pillars using rock mass failure criterion. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 52(10), 3921-3946.
[37]. Sun, L., Ye, Y., Luo, B., Hu, N., & Li, P. (2021). Theoretical Analysis for Stability Evaluation of Rock Mass Engineering Structure under Combined Compression-Shear Loading: A Case Study of Inclined Pillar. Applied Sciences, 11(23), 11439.
[38]. ENOF, (2024). Geological report of the Chaabet El Hamra zinc deposit, Algiers.
[39]. AFNOR, (2000). NF P94-420. Determination of uniaxial compressive strength. Association Française de Normalisation
[40]. AFNOR, (1993). NF P94-064. Soils: investigation and testing. Density of a dehydrated rock sample. Hydrostatic weighing method. Association Française de Normalisation
[41]. Mouerri, A., Hadji, R., Zahri, F., Hamed, Y., & Serhane, B. (2024). Multidisciplinary evaluation of geological, geotechnical, geomechanical, and hydrogeological parameters for assessing slope stability in the Aures Mountain Quarry. Geomatics, Landmanagement and Landscape.
[42]. Bieniawski, Z. T. (1989). Engineering rock mass classifications: a complete manual for engineers and geologists in mining, civil, and petroleum engineering. John Wiley & Sons.
[43]. Hoek, E., & Marinos, P. (2000). Predicting tunnel squeezing problems in weak heterogeneous rock masses. Tunnels and tunnelling international, 32(11), 45-51.
[44]. Hoek, E., Carranza-Torres, C., & Corkum, B. (2002). Hoek-Brown failure criterion-2002 edition. Proceedings of NARMS-Tac, 1(1), 267-273.
[45]. Aydan, Ö., Akagi, T., & Kawamoto, T. (1996). The squeezing potential of rock around tunnels: theory and prediction with examples taken from Japan. Rock mechanics and rock engineering, 29, 125-143.
[46]. Pariseau, W. G. (1982). Shear stability of mine pillars in dipping seams. In ARMA US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium (pp. ARMA-82). ARMA.
[47]. Kumar, R., Mandal, P. K., Ghosh, N., Das, A. J., & Banerjee, G. (2023). Design of stable parallelepiped coal pillars considering geotechnical uncertainties. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 56(9), 6581-6602.
[48]. Giafferi, J. L. (2003). Characterisation of rock masses useful for the design and the construction of underground structures. AFTES guidelines; Tunnels et Ouvrages souterrains, (177), 2-49.
[49]. Woessner, W. W., & Poeter, E. P. (2020). Hydrogeologic properties of earth materials and principles of groundwater flow. Groundwater Project.
[50]. Schöpfer, M. P., Abe, S., Childs, C., & Walsh, J. J. (2009). The impact of porosity and crack density on the elasticity, strength and friction of cohesive granular materials: Insights from DEM modelling. International journal of rock mechanics and mining sciences, 46(2), 250-261.
[51]. Radouane, N., Boukelloul, M., & Fredj, M. (2015). Stability analysis of underground mining and their application on the Mine Chaabte El Hamra, Algeria. Procedia Earth and Planetary Science, 15, 237-243.
[52]. Monsalve Valencia, J. J. (2022). A Risk-Based Pillar Design Approach for Improving Safety in Underground Stone Mines. PhD Dissertation, Virginia Pollytechnic Institute and State University. Blacksburg, Virginia. | ||
|
آمار تعداد مشاهده مقاله: 447 تعداد دریافت فایل اصل مقاله: 67 |
||