ISO 23872:2021

Overview

ISO 23872:2021 - Mining structures - Underground structures specifies design loads and design procedures for steel and concrete structures used in underground mines. Adopted globally through ISO/TC 82, the standard uses a limit states design philosophy and applies irrespective of mine depth or commodity. It focuses on the structural engineering requirements specific to underground environments and does not cover operational safety or underground layout.

Key topics and technical requirements

ISO 23872 organizes technical content around materials, loads, design procedures and construction requirements. Key topics include:

• Scope of application: all steel and concrete underground structures (e.g., gantries, conveyor supports, crushers, fan and pump foundations, monorails, silo and bulkhead structures, head frames, ventilation doors, refuge station walls/floors).
• Materials: guidance for concrete and steel use underground, including durability and underground-specific recommendations.
• Nominal loads: comprehensive load categories such as:
  • Operating loads (spillage, air pressure, thermal effects, liquid pressure)
  • Ground displacement loads (initial relaxation, long-term and sudden displacement)
  • Seismic loads
  • Emergency loads (explosion, air blast, mud-rush, vehicle and rock impact)
• Design procedure: risk assessment, partial safety factors, provisions for excavation variation, and specific design rules for high-pressure bulkheads and underground head frames.
• Construction requirements: transport/storage, bearing against ground, excavation tolerances, and anchoring methods (chemical/cementitious grouted anchors, mechanical anchors) including anchor testing and shear load considerations.
• Informative annexes: additional guidance on transportation, concrete use underground, and design of parallel-sided high-pressure bulkheads.

Practical applications and users

ISO 23872 is practical for those involved in the engineering, procurement and construction of underground mine infrastructure:

• Mining and geotechnical engineers
• Structural and mechanical engineers designing underground supports and equipment foundations
• Design consultants and engineering firms producing mine designs
• Contractors and site construction managers installing underground structures
• Regulators and owners seeking consistent, internationally recognized design criteria

Use cases include design of conveyor gantries, crusher and fan supports, high-pressure bulkheads and water-retaining structures, monorail supports, and refuge station walls.

Related standards

• ISO 19426-5 (referenced for fixed or retractable ramp arresting structures)
• Refer to regional building and structural design standards for complementary structural detailing and design methods.

Keywords: ISO 23872, underground structures, mining structures, design loads, limit states design, high-pressure bulkheads, anchors, seismic loads, ground displacement.