S-Pillar Windows Software for Stone Mine Pillar Design

About

Use the S-Pillar software for stone mine pillar design.

Failed stone mine pillar

What S-Pillar does

S-Pillar assists in the design of stable pillars for room-and-pillar workings in underground stone mines. S-Pillar's calculation methods are based on observation of actual pillar performance in 34 underground operations in the eastern and midwestern United States.

S-Pillar software screenshot showing design process in progress.
Screenshot of S-Pillar software in operation.

Downloads

Download version 1.2

Download and run EXE installation file.

Release notes

New to version 1.2 (Updated 10/29/2018):

  • Help system update: Variables in the strength of rectangular pillars equation are described in the text.
  • Help system update: Additional information on Table 6 is provided, including a PDF of the reference.

New to version 1.1:

  • Table 3 in the help system updated:
    • Pillar dimensions and recalculated pillar stress were modified for cases No. 17 & 18. These modifications are based on recent investigations and underground measurements. Pillar stress is based on FLAC3D analysis.
    • Pillar dimension was modified for case No. 4, now based on "mined" dimensions measured from the mine map. Previously, dimensions were based on "planned dimensions" as measured in the panel adjacent to the failed pillar.
  • The x-axis on the factor of safety chart was updated to plot the minimum width-to-height ratio instead of the effective width-to-height ratio.