Stability Graph for Open Stope Design

Section 4
The stability graph method
Assessing Stope Dimension/Stability

 A stope is stable
– If it yields low dilution
– If there are no ground fall related problems
 Unique acceptable dilution rate for every mine operation
– Ore grade
– Costs
– Grade of dilution materials
– Metal prices
Key Parameters

 Q’, RMR
– Joint sets and spacing
– Joint characteristics
 Mine induced stress
 Uniaxial compressive strength
 Structure/stope geometry interaction
 Stope size and shape
 Structural geology (major feature)
Empirical Stope Design Techniques

 Stability graph
 Laubscher (caving)
 HSR (Villaescusa) hangingwall at Mount Isa (fissile or
laminated rock)
 Dilution method at Ruttan Mine
Numerical Modelling Approach

 Model stress distribution

– Pre-mining stress
– Mine geometry
– Rock properties
 Predict failed areas based on failure criteria
Stability Graph Method

Source:
Mathews et
al. (1981)
Hydraulic Radius

0 .5
RF 
1 n 1

n   1 r
Hydraulic Radius = Shape Factor (S)
Stability Number

N'  Q' x A x B x C

N is the Stability number

Q' Modified Tunneling Quality

Index (NGI)
A Stress factor
B Joint orientation factor
C Gravity factor
NGI Tunneling Index
Q is the NGI tunnelling index
RQD Rock Quality Designation
Jr is the Joint roughness number
Jw is the Joint water reduction number
Jn is the Joint set number
Ja is the Joint alteration number
SRF is the Stress Reduction factor

RQD Jr J w
Q x x
J J SRF
n a
Factor A: The Stress Factor
Factor B: The Joint Orientation Factor
Factor C: The Gravity Factor (Backs and
Hanging Walls)
Factor C: The Gravity Factor (Footwall)
Stability Number

N'  Q ' x A x B x C
N is the Stability number

Q' Modified Tunnelling Quality

Index (NGI)
A Stress factor
B Joint orientation factor
C Gravity factor
Stability Graph

Source:

Point 1 Mathews
(1981)
Point 2

For a 20m high stope

HR = 3 L = 8.5m
HR = 9 L = 180m
Source: Potvin (1988)

Source: Nickson (1993) Nickson (1993)

Potvin(1988)
Source: Hadjigeorgiou
et al. (1995)

Source: Stewart et al. (1995)

Hutchinson and Diedrichs (1996)
Exercise #1

Find the hydraulic radius of

the back and the walls. l = 40m

h = 120m
HR = Area
Perimeter

m
20
=
w
Exercise #2

Find the hydraulic

radius of the back,
hanging wall and
footwall.
h = 90m

m
30

70˚
l=

w = 12m
Exercise #3
Find the “Factor A” in the back of a stope. The
induced stress is 45 MPa and the uniaxial
compressive strength is 130 MPa.

2.9
Exercise #4

Find the “Factor A” for the three stope surfaces A, B and

C (uniaxial compressive strength is 130 MPa.)

A B

C
Exercise #4
Find the “Factor A” in the back of a stope. The
induced stress is 45 MPa and the uniaxial
compressive strength is 130 MPa.
Exercise #5

Find the “Factor B” for the flat stope back assuming

the following critical joint sets (Factor B chart
repeated on next slide):
(dip/dip direction)
a) 0˚/167˚
b) 20˚/90˚
c) 20˚/180˚
d) 60˚/90˚
Factor B Chart
Exercise #6

Find the “Factor B” for the (east-west) hangingwall,

assuming the following critical joint sets :
(dip/dip direction)
a) 0˚/167˚
b) 80˚/180˚
c) 90˚/90˚
d) 70˚/0˚
e) 70˚/300˚

70˚
Factor B Chart
Exercise #7

Find the “Factor C” for the (east-

west) hanging wall, footwall and
back of the stope, assuming the
following critical joint sets :

(dip/dip direction)
90˚/90˚
70˚/180˚
60˚/0˚

70˚
Exercise #7

Factor C: Footwall
Hangingwall

Back
Exercise #8

Assess the stability of a stope hangingwall and stope

back that have the following parameters:
Hangingwall Back
 Q’ 20 10
 Factor A 1 0.1
 Factor B 0.3 1
 Factor C 8 2
 Dimensions 90m x 60m 60m x 15m
Stability Graph (Exercise #8)

Hanging wall

Back
 Exercise #9

Assess the stability of a flat stope back and a hanging wall

striking N-S with a dip of 80 ˚ towards the east, that have
the following parameters:

Stope Back Stope Hangingwall

 Q’ = 4
 Induced stress = 65 MPa
 Comp. strength = 150 MPa
 Critical joint dip/dip direct. =
0˚/ 145 ˚
 Dimension 10m x 90m
 Q’ = 10
 Induced stress = 20 MPa
 Comp. Strength = 140 MPa
 Critical joint dip/dip direct:
80 ˚/270 ˚
 Dimension 90m x 90m
Stability Graph (Exercise #9)

Hanging wall

Back
Empirical Cable Bolt Design

Source: After
Hutchinson and
Diederichs, 1996
Empirical Cable Bolt Design

Source: After
Hutchinson and
Diederichs, 1996
Support Recommendations
Criticism and Limitations

 Pattern bolting only

 Do not account for type of cable, single strands versus
twin strands, etc.
 Do not account for quality control issues
Multiple Lifts Hangingwall

Source: After Nickson 1992

 Exercise #12
Assess the stability of the proposed flat stope
back, which will be 40m long by 30m wide and in
the following rockmass conditions:
• RQD = 60
• Number of joint sets: 2 + random
• Joint surface: smooth, planar, unaltered
• UCS: 125 MPa
• Induced stress: 25 MPa
• UCS:125 MPa
• Critical joint: Flat dipping
Suggest a cable bolt pattern, if required
Exercise #12
Exercise #12
 Exercise #13

What is the Hydraulic Radius of the primary stopes back?

Filled
m

Stope
40

Unmined
stope
20m 20m

If the Stability Number of the back is 20, are cable bolts

required?
Exercise #13

primary
secondary
Exercise #14 Pillar Wall Stability

Based on the layout from exercise #13, assess the pillar wall
stability.
 Assume stope height 50m (stope length is 40m)
 Sigma 1 (into the page) = 50 MPa
 Sigma 2 (Horizontal along the page) = 40 MPa
 Sigma 3 (vertical) = 25 MPa
 Compressive strength = 130 MPa
 3 joint sets parallel to each stope surface
 Q’ ore = 10
Exercise #14

Pillar wall
Exercise #15 Hanging Wall Stability

 Assess the stability of the following hanging wall

 Sub level interval 25m (cable bolted fan)
 Stope length 50m
 3 lifts stopes
 RQD 90
 Jn (3 joint sets)
Exercise #15
Cable Bolt Length (Experience Based Rules)

 Check “potential failure zone” to be supported and

exceeded by 2m
 Generally less than 10m long (often 6 or 7m)
 Instrument to confirm/optimise design length
Empirical Data

Source: Charette and Hadjigeorgiou (1995)

Hutchinson and Diedrich (1996)
Exercise #16
Design a cable bolt pattern and cable bolt length for the
back of a stope (15m wide by 100m long) with the
following geomechanics data:
 RQD = 72
 Jn = 6
 Jr = 1
 Ja = 2
 Factor A = 0.2
 Factor B = 0.3
 Factor C = 8
Exercise #16
Cable Bolt Design - Other Considerations

 Single strands in walls, twin strands in back

 Bulb cables (at least near collar)
 Plates (when possible)
Stability Graph Limitations

 Empirical methods are limited to similar conditions in the

developmental database.

 The Stability Graph may not be appropriate in:

– severe rockbursting conditions,
– highly deformable (creeping) rock mass; and
– entry methods
Discussion: Flat Back
Discussion: Pendant Pillars, Brows

Pendant
Pillar

Back
Brow
Stability Graph: Further Developments

 Effective Radius Factor (ERF)

 Probabilistic Approaches
– Hutchinson and Diederichs
– Trueman and Mawdesley

 Equivalent Linear Overbreak Slough (ELOS)

Effective Radius Factor (Milne, 1997)

Radius Factor (RF) = Maximum ERF

Source: After
Hutchinson and
Diederichs 1996
Trueman, 2000
Dilution
Source: After
Hutchinson and
Diederichs 1996
Equivalent Linear Overbreak Slough: ELOS
Clark (1998)
 ELOS

Source: Clark and

Pakalnis (1997)
ELOS Update

After Capes 2009

 References and Recommended Reading.
 Anderson, B. and Grubenc, B. (1995) Controlling dilution at the Golden
Giant Mine, CIM Mine Operators Conference, Marathon Ontario,
Canada.
 Bloss, M.L. and Morland, R. (1995) Influence of Backfill Stability on
Stope Production in the Copper Mine at Mount Isa Mines. Underground
Operators’ Conference, pp. 237-241.
 Brummer, R. (2000) Microseismicity, Rockbursts and Risk – Fact and
Fiction, ACG Short Course, Underground Mining Methods, Section 5.
 Charette, F. and Hadjigeorgiou, J. (1995) Guide Practique du
Soutenement Minier. Association Miniere du Quebec Inc.
 References and Recommended Reading
Cont.
 Clark, L.M. and Pakalnis, R.C. (1997), An Empirical Design Approach
for Estimating Unplanned Dilution from Open Stope Hanging Walls
and Footwalls, 99th CIM – AGM, Vancouver, Published on CD-ROM.
 Hadjigeorgiou, J., Leclair, J.G. and Potvin, Y. (1995) An Update of the
Stability Graph Method for Open Stope Design. 97th CIM-AGM, Rock
Mechanics and Strata Control Session.
 Hutchinson, D.J. and Diederichs, M.S. (1996) Cablebolting in
Underground Mines.
 Lappalainen, O. and Pitkajarvi, J. (1996) Dilution Control at
Outokumpu Mines. Procc. Nickel 96, Kalgoorlie.
 Mathews, K.E., Hoek, E., Wyllie, D.C., and Stewart, S.B.V. (1981)
Prediction of Stable Excavations for Mining at Depth Below 1000
Metres in Hard Rock. CANMET Report, Department of Energy, Mines
and Resources.
 References and Recommended Reading
Cont.

 Milne, D.M. (1997) Underground Design and Deformation Based on

Surface Geometry, MASc Thesis, The University of British Columbia.
 Nickson S., Ecobichon, D., Leclerc, M. and Cote, E. (1993) A
Methodology for rock mechanics Feasibility Studies, CIM Bulletin,
Vol. 89, No 998, pp. 120 – 125.
 Nickson, S.D. (1992) Cable Support Guideline for Underground hard
Rock Mine Operations, MASc Thesis, The University of British
Columbia.
 Potvin, Y. and Nedin, P. (2003) Management of Rockfall Risks in
Underground Metalliferous Mines, Minerals Council of Australia,
pp. 160.
 References and Recommended Reading
Cont.
 Potvin, Y. (1988) Empirical Open Stope Design in Canada, PhD Thesis,
The University of British Columbia.
 Stewart, S.B.V. and Forsyth, W.W. (1993) The Mathews Method for
Open Stope Design. CIM Bulletin, Volume 88 (992), 1995
 Sweby, G. (2002) Kambalda Nickel Operations: Mining in High Stress,
seismically active conditions. ACG International Seminar on Deep and
High Stress Mining, Section 15.
 Trueman, B. (2000) Mine Design Case Studies, Experience at Mount
Charlotte Mine with the Application of the Mathew’s Method for Open
Stope Design, ACG Rock Mechanics Practice for Underground Mines,
Section 10.
 Villaescusa, E. (1998) ACG Workshop, Dilution Control in Underground
Mining.