Title: The effect of height and width ratio on uniaxial compressive strength and its application on marble pillar strength analysis

Authors: Purwanto; Wihdah; Nirmana Fiqra Qaidahiyani; Assyahidul Hayyi

Addresses: Geomechanics Laboratory, Mining Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Hasanuddin University, 92171, Indonesia ' Mining Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Hasanuddin University, 92171, Indonesia ' Mining Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Hasanuddin University, 92171, Indonesia ' Mining Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Hasanuddin University, 92171, Indonesia

Abstract: Non-standard pillars will cause collapse in underground mines. The room and pillar underground system is used in marble mines in Pangkep Regency, Indonesia. The current pillar geometry is a stubby prismatic, measuring 22 × 6 × 5 metres in length, width, and height, respectively, with plans to increase the mining height. This study focuses on the effect of the height and width ratio of marble on the compressive strength of rocks and its application towards the size of pillars supporting underground marble mines. The lowest UCS test results using prismatic sample for each hp/wp ratio show a decrease in strength with an increase in the h/w ratio, namely 61.29 MPa, 39.20 MPa, and 36.70 MPa for h/w ratios of 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0. The recommended pillar sizes in length, height, and width are 5 × 5 × 5 m, 14 × 13.5 × 9 m, 14 × 20 × 10 m.

Keywords: uniaxial compressive strength; specimen size ratio; pillar strength; pillar dimension; room and pillar method; marble mine.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2026.154341

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2026 Vol.17 No.2, pp.197 - 214

Received: 24 May 2025
Accepted: 01 Jan 2026
Published online: 23 Jun 2026 *

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