Assessing Rib Pillar Stability in Underground Mines: A Fuzzy Rules-Based Approach for Evaluating Rock Engineering System (RES) Interactions

Abstract

Assessment of structural stability of rib pillar in underground hard rock mine and the factors affecting it are the most important issues in ground control of mines. The interactions between these variables are also uncertain and vary widely in a mining environment. Stability is the primary concern for a safe working environment and minimizing the loss of valuable resources. Every underground excavation is usually investigated or studied for its stability by analytical calculation, empirical (classification) systems, observational methods, or numerical modeling either alone or in combinations. Expert opinion must be sought to deal with uncertain ground conditions. Needless to say, rock masses are complex systems comprised of discontinuities, water, and material anisotropy which are subjected to variable insitu stresses due to the deepening of the mine