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Glite Dictionary
pillaring

pillaring

8.1
A method of leaving blocks of rock to support a mine tunnel
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : sostenimiento
  • The pillaring technique is crucial in mining.

Examples

  • Effective pillaring can prevent cave-ins.

  • In mining, the miners practiced pillaring to ensure the roof would remain stable.

  • The safety of the mine depended on careful pillaring throughout the excavation process.

  • Modern mining techniques often combine pillaring with other support systems for added security.

  • Improper pillaring can increase the risk of a tunnel collapse.

  • The engineer explained the pillaring method used to support the old tunnel during renovations.

  • During the excavation, the team focused on pillaring to prevent the collapse of the surrounding structures.

Synonyms

shoring up
vspillaring
  • Specialized
4 6.5

Support for a wall or building using props to stop collapse

creates lasting supports from the existing material instead of temporary props
shoring
vspillaring
  • Specialized
3 7.4

Beams or props placed to support a building and stop it collapsing

relies on built-in supports left inside the material instead of placed props
underpinning
vspillaring
  • Specialized
1 5.6

Work to strengthen the foundation of a building

supports internally by leaving the original material as lasting supports rather than fixing foundations
timbering
vspillaring
  • Specialized
6.4

Placing wooden beams to support tunnels or shafts in mines

creates lasting supports from the existing material instead of added beams

Antonyms

removal
106 2.0

Taking something or someone away from a place

Surface Forms

pillaring singular
pillaring plural

Morphology

pillaring = pillar (semi-transparent) = pillar + ing

The word is built from the verb 'pillar' plus '-ing', but the mining sense is specialized enough that it is not fully obvious to an average learner.

Etymology

Pillaring comes from the word pillar, which means 'a strong column', and the ending -ing that shows an action or process. Think of miners leaving big blocks of rock as 'pillars' to hold up a tunnel roof — that clear image helps you remember the word. So, pillaring is the act or process of making or leaving those support columns, especially in mining.