Failure characterization of fully grouted rock bolts under triaxial testing

Confining stresses serve as a pivotal determinant in shaping the behavior of grouted rock bolts.Nonetheless,prior investigations have oversimplified the three-dimensional stress state,primarily assuming hydrostatic stress conditions.Under these conditions,it is assumed that the intermediate principal stress(σ_(2))equals the minimum principal stress(σ_(3)).This assumption overlooks the potential variations in magnitudes of in situ stress conditions along all three directions near an underground opening where a rock bolt is installed.In this study,a series of push tests was meticulously conducted under triaxial conditions.These tests involved applying non-uniform confining stresses(σ_(2)≠σ_(3))to cubic specimens,aiming to unveil the previously overlooked influence of intermediate principal stresses on the strength properties of rock bolts.The results show that as the confining stresses increase from zero to higher levels,the pre-failure behavior changes from linear to nonlinear forms,resulting in an increase in initial stiffness from 2.08 kN/mm to 32.51 kN/mm.The load-displacement curves further illuminate distinct post-failure behavior at elevated levels of confining stresses,characterized by enhanced stiffness.Notably,the peak load capacity ranged from 27.9 kN to 46.5 kN as confining stresses advanced from σ_(2)=σ_(3)=0 to σ_(2)=20 MPa and σ_(3)=10 MPa.Additionally,the outcomes highlight an influence of confining stress on the lateral deformation of samples.Lower levels of confinement prompt overall dilation in lateral deformation,while higher confinements maintain a state of shrinkage.Furthermore,diverse failure modes have been identified,intricately tied to the arrangement of confining stresses.Lower confinements tend to induce a splitting mode of failure,whereas higher loads bring about a shift towards a pure interfacial shear-off and shear-crushed failure mechanism.

Stability analysis of tunnel face reinforced with face bolts

Face bolting has been widely utilized to enhance the stability of tunnel face,particularly in soft soil tunnels.However,the influence of bolt reinforcement and its layout on tunnel face stability has not been systematically studied.Based on the theory of linear elastic mechanics,this study delved into the specific mechanisms of bolt reinforcement on the tunnel face in both horizontal and vertical dimensions.It also identified the primary failure types of bolts.Additionally,a design approach for tunnel face bolts that incorporates spatial layout was established using the limit equilibrium method to enhance the conventional wedge-prism model.The proposed model was subsequently validated through various means,and the specific influence of relevant bolt design parameters on tunnel face stability was analyzed.Furthermore,design principles for tunnel face bolts under different geological conditions were presented.The findings indicate that bolt failure can be categorized into three stages:tensile failure,pullout failure,and comprehensive failure.Increasing cohesion,internal friction angle,bolt density,and overlap length can effectively enhance tunnel face stability.Due to significant variations in stratum conditions,tailored design approaches based on specific failure stages are necessary for bolt design.

Study on Fracture Delay of High-Strength Bolts in Road Bridge Maintenance

In the maintenance work of highway and bridge engineering structures,the fracture delay of high-strength bolts is a content that needs to be focused on and researched.Based on this,the paper analyzes the fracture delay of high-strength bolts in highway bridge maintenance,including an overview of the fundamental research on fracture delay and related specific studies.It is hoped that this study can provide scientific reference for the reasonable maintenance of high-strength bolts,so as to ensure the overall maintenance effect of highway bridge projects.

State-of-the-art on the anchorage performance of rock bolts subjected to shear load

Rock bolts are extensively utilized in underground engineering as a means of offering support and stability to rock masses in tunnels,mines,and other underground structures.In environments of high ground stress,faults or weak zones can frequently arise in rock formations,presenting a significant challenge for engineering and potentially leading to underground engineering collapse.Rock bolts serve as a crucial structural element for the transmission of tensile stress and are capable of withstanding shear loads to prevent sliding of weak zones within rock mass.Therefore,a complete understanding of the behavior of rock bolts subjected to shear loads is essential.This paper presents a state-of-the-art review of the research progress of rock bolts subjected to shear load in three categories:experiment,numerical simulation,and analytical model.The review focuses on the research studies and developments in this area since the 1970s,providing a comprehensive overview of numerous factors that influence the anchorage performance of rock bolts.These factors include the diameter and angle of the rock bolt installation,rock strength,grouting material,bolt material,borehole diameter,rock bolt preload,normal stress,joint surface roughness and joint expansion angle.The paper reviews the improvement of mechanical parameter setting in numerical simulation of rock bolt shear.Furthermore,it delves into the optimization of the analytical model concerning rock bolt shear theory,approached from the perspectives of both Elastic foundation beam theory coupled with Elastoplasticity theory and Structural mechanic methods.The significance of this review lies in its ability to provide insights into the mechanical behavior of rock bolts.The paper also highlights the limitations of current research and guidelines for further research of rock bolts.

Mechanical behavior and failure mechanisms of rock bolts subjected to static-dynamic loads

This study explores the effects of dynamic and static loading on rock bolt performance a key factor in maintaining the structural safety of coal mine roadways susceptible to coal bursts.Employing a housemade load frame to simulate various failure scenarios,pretension-impact-pull tests on rock bolts were conducted to scrutinize their dynamic responses under varied static load conditions and their failure traits under combined loads.The experimental results denote that with increased impact energy,maximum and average impact loads on rock bolts escalate significantly under pretension,initiating plastic deformation beyond a certain threshold.Despite minor reductions in the yield load due to impactinduced damage,pretension aids in constraining post-impact deformation rate and fluctuation degree of rock bolts.Moreover,impact-induced plastic deformation causes internal microstructure dislocation,fortifying the stiffness of the rock bolt support system.The magnitude of this fortification is directly related to the plastic deformation induced by the impact.These findings provide crucial guidance for designing rock bolt support in coal mine roadway excavation,emphasizing the necessity to consider both static and dynamic loads for improved safety and efficiency.

A hardening load transfer function for rock bolts and its calibration using distributed fiber optic sensing

Confinement of rock bolts by the surrounding rock formation has long been recognized as a positive contributor to the pull-out behavior,yet only a few experimental works and analytical models have been reported,most of which are based on the global rock bolt response evaluated in pull-out tests.This paper presents a laboratory experimental setup aiming to capture the rock formation effect,while using distributed fiber optic sensing to quantify the effect of the confinement and the reinforcement pull-out behavior on a more local level.It is shown that the behavior along the sample itself varies,with certain points exhibiting stress drops with crack formation.Some edge effects related to the kinematic freedom of the grout to dilate are also observed.Regardless,it was found that the mid-level response is quite similar to the average response along the sample.The ability to characterize the variation of the response along the sample is one of the many advantages high-resolution fiber optic sensing allows in such investigations.The paper also offers a plasticity-based hardening load transfer function,representing a"slice"of the anchor.The paper describes in detail the development of the model and the calibration/determination of its parameters.The suggested model captures well the coupled behavior in which the pull-out process leads to an increase in the confining stress due to dilative behavior.

Anchorage performance of large-diameter FRP bolts and their application in large deformation roadway

In underground coal mines, fibre reinforced polymer(FRP) bolt is ideal for mined rib reinforcements as it can prevent gas explosions caused by shearer frictional spark. With increasing mining depth, small diameter FRP bolts used in shallow underground mining cannot fulfil the rib support requirements. Under the engineering background of deep underground shortwall mining in Wudong coal mine, this paper systematically studies Φ27 mm FRP bolt support for large deformation coal rib. Specimens with a fan-shaped cross-section were used to enable the tensile testing of the bolt rod, the measured average tensile strength of the studied FRP bolt was(486.1 ± 9.6) MPa with a maximum elongation of 5.7%±0.6%.The shear strength of the bolt was measured as approximately 258 MPa using a self-made double shear testing apparatus. Based on the equivalent radial stiffness principle, a laboratory short encapsulation pullout test(SEPT) method for rib bolting has been developed undertaken consideration of the mechanical properties of the coal seam. Results showed that the average peak anchorage forces of the Φ27 mm FRP bolt and Φ20 mm steel rebar bolt were 108.4 and 66.4 k N, respectively, which were agreed with the theoretical calculations and field measurements. Based on theoretical analysis of the loading states of the bolt under site conditions, bolting method of full-length resin grouting was adopted to offset the weaknesses of the FRP bolt. Numerical method was employed to compare the bolting effect using Φ27 mm FRP bolts and steel rebar bolts. Large diameter FRP bolting was determined as the optimum rib support scheme to increase the productivity of the coal mine and to enhance the ground control capability for+425 level mining roadways. This study provides the laboratory testing design and theoretical prediction of large diameter FRP bolts used for rib support in large deformation roadways.

Hydrogeochemical modelling of corrosive environment contributing to premature failure of anchor bolts in underground coal mines

Anchor bolts are commonly used throughout underground mining and tunnelling operations to improve roof stability.However,premature failures of anchor bolts are significant safety risks in underground excavations around the world due to susceptible bolt materials,a moist and corrosive environment and tensile stress.In this paper,laboratory experiments and hydrogeochemical models were combined to investigate anchor bolt corrosion and failure associated with aqueous environments in underground coal mines.Experimental data and collated mine water chemistry data were used to simulate bolt corrosion reactions with groundwater and rock materials with the PHREEQC code.A series of models quantified reactions involving iron and carbon under aerobic and anaerobic conditions in comparison with ion,pH and pE trends in experimental data.The models showed that corrosion processes are inhibited by some natural environmental factors,because dissolved oxygen would cause more iron from the bolts to oxidize into solution.These interdisciplinary insights into corrosion failure of underground anchor bolts confirm that environmental factors are important contributors to stress corrosion cracking.

Laboratory pull-out tests on fully grouted rock bolts and cable bolts:Results and lessons learned

Laboratory pull-out tests were conducted on the following rock bolts and cable bolts:steel rebars,smooth steel bars,fiberglass reinforced polymer threaded bolts,flexible cable bolts,IR5/IN special cable bolts and Mini-cage cable bolts.The diameter of the tested bolts was between 16 mm and 26 mm.The bolts were grouted in a sandstone sample using resin or cement grouts.The tests were conducted under either constant radial stiffness or constant confining pressure boundary conditions applied on the outer surface of the rock sample.In most tests,the rate of displacement was about 0.02 mm/s.The tests were performed using a pull-out bench that allows testing a wide range of parameters.This paper provides an extensive database of laboratory pull-out test results and confirms the influence of the confining pressure and the embedment length on the pull-out response(rock bolts and cable bolts).It also highlights the sensitivity of the results to the operating conditions and to the behavior of the sample as a whole,which cannot be neglected when the test results are used to assess the bolt-grout or the grouterock interface.

Numerical and analytical simulation of the structural behaviour of fully grouted cable bolts under impulsive loading

Designing reliable yielding support system to mitigate the effect of the kinetic energy in burst-prone conditions in mining and tunneling excavations is one of the challenges for geotechnical engineers. A combination of the support elements can be used to increase rock strength and minimise the displacement of unstable rock mass. It is important to understand how the support system works to ensure the stability of underground excavations. Cable bolts have been commonly used as an effective underground support system and an element of reinforcement to improve rock stability. Cable bolts are usually considered to be subjected to static loads under relatively low stress environments, however, in burst-prone conditions, they might be subjected to dynamic loads. Cable bolts as well as other support elements are used in burst-prone conditions to absorb the kinetic energy of the removed rock to avoid sudden and violent failures. This paper develops numerical and a novel analytical simulation technique for cable bolts to assess their structural behaviour under static and dynamic loading conditions. The numerical and analytical models are then validated against experimental observations reported in the literature, which demonstrates the reliability of the proposed models.

A study of the load transfer behavior of fully grouted rock bolts with analytical modelling

Fully grouted rock bolts have been used in mining industry for many years.Much research has been conducted to evaluate the load transfer behavior of fully grouted rock bolts with experimental programs.However,compared with that,less work has been conducted with analytical modelling.Therefore,in this paper,the authors used an analytical model to study the load transfer behavior of fully grouted rock bolts.To confirm the credibility of this analytical model,an in-situ pull-out test was used to validate this model.There was a close match between the experimental result and the analytical result.Following it,a parametric study was conducted with this analytical model.The influence of coefficients,Young’s modulus of the rock bolt and the diameter of the rock bolt on the load transfer performance of rock bolts was studied.Furthermore,the load distribution along the fully grouted rock bolt was analytically studied.The results show that the axial load in the rock bolt decayed from the loaded end to the free end independent of the pull-out load.However,the trend of the load distribution curve was influenced by the pull-out load.This paper was beneficial for better understanding the load transfer mechanism of fully grouted rock bolts.

Mechanical properties and supporting effect of CRLD bolts under static pull test conditions

A device for supporting soft rock masses combined with a constant resistance structure characterized by constant resistance and large deformation at the end of a steel bar, known as the constant resistance and large deformation（CRLD） bolt, has recently been developed to counteract soft rock swelling that often occurs during deep mining. In order to further study the mechanical properties of the CRLD bolt, we investigated its mechanical properties by comparison with the conventional strength bolt（rebar） using static pull tests on many aspects, including supporting capacity, elongation, radial deformation, and energy absorption. The tests verified that the mechanical defects of the rebar, which include the decrease of bolt diameter, reduction of supporting capacity, and emergence and evolution of fracture until failure during the whole pull process, were caused by the Poisson＇s ratio effect. Due to the special structure set on the CRLD bolt, the bolt presents a seemingly unusual phenomenon of the negative Poisson＇s ratio effect, i.e., the diameter of the constant resistance structure increases while under-pulling. It is the very effect that ensures the extraordinary mechanical properties, including high resistance, large elongation, and strong energy absorption. According to the comparison and analysis of numerical simulation and field test, we can conclude that the CRLD bolt works better than the rebar bolt.

Optimization of the fully grouted rock bolts for load transfer enhancement

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of bolt profile configuration in load transfer capacity between the bolt and grout.Therefore,five types of rock bolts are used with different profiles.The rock bolts are modeled by ANSYS software.Models show that profile rock bolt T_3 and T_ with load capacity 180 and 195 kN in the jointed rocks,are the optimum profiles.Finally,the performances of the selected profiles are examined in Tabas Coal Mine by FLAC software.There is good subscription between the results of numerical modeling and instrumentation reading such as tells tale,sonic extensometer and strain gauge rock bolt.According to the finding of this study,the proposed pattern of rock bolts,on 7 + 6 patterns per meter with 2 flexi bolt(4 m) for support gate road.

A Biomechanical Comparison of Conventional versus an Anatomic Plate and Compression Bolts for Fixation of Intra-articular Calcaneal Fractures

The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical stability obtained by using our technique featured an anatomical plate and compression bolts versus that of the conventional anatomic plate and cancellous screws in the fixation of intraarticular calcaneal fractures.Eighteen fresh frozen lower limbs of cadavers were used to create a reproductive Sanders type-Ⅲ calcaneal fracture model by using osteotomy.The calcaneus fractures were randomly selected to be fixed either using our anatomical plate and compression bolts or conventional anatomic plate and cancellous screws.Reduction of fracture was evaluated through X radiographs.Each calcaneus was successively loaded at a frequency of 1 Hz for 1000 cycles through the talus using an increasing axial force 20 N to 200 N and 20 N to 700 N,representing the partial weight bearing and full weight bearing,respectively,and then the specimens were loaded to failure.Data extracted from the mechanical testing machine were recorded and used to test for difference in the results with the Wilcoxon signed rank test.No significant difference was found between our fixation technique and conventional technique in displacement during 20-200 N cyclic loading(P=0.06),while the anatomical plate and compression bolts showed a great lower irreversible deformation during 20-700 N cyclic loading(P=0.008).The load achieved at loss of fixation of the constructs for the two groups had significant difference:anatomic plate and compression bolts at 3839.6±152.4 N and anatomic plate and cancellous screws at 3087.3±58.9 N(P=0.008).There was no significant difference between the ultimate displacements.Our technique featured anatomical plate and compression bolts for calcaneus fracture fixation was demonstrated to provide biomechanical stability as good as or better than the conventional anatomic plate and cancellous screws under the axial loading.The study supports the mechanical viability of using our plate and compression bolts for the fixation of calcaneal fracture.

Effect of pre-tensioned rock bolts on stress redistribution around a roadway—insight from numerical modeling

The importance of the pre-tensioned force of rock bolts has been recognized by more and more researchers. To investi- gate the effect of pre-tensioned rock bolts on stress redistribution around roadways, a numerical analysis was carried out using FLAC3D and a special post-process methodology, using surfer, is proposed to process the numerical simulation results. The results indicate that pre-tensioned rock bolts have a significant effect on stress redistribution around a roadway. In the roof, pre-tensioned rock bolts greatly increase vertical stress; as a result, the strength of the rock mass increased significantly which results in a greater capacity of bearing a large horizontal stress. The horizontal stress decreases in the upper section of the roof, indicating that pre-tensioned rock bolts significantly reduce the coefficient and the size of the region concentration of horizontal stress. At the lat- eral side, pre-tensioned rock bolts greatly increase the horizontal stress; therefore, the rock mass strength significantly increases which results also in a greater capacity of bearing a large vertical stress. The greater the size of pre-tensioned force, the larger the region of stress redistribution around a roadway is affected and the higher the size of the stress on the roadway surface the more the rock mass strength increases.

Resist-decreasing effects of rock bolts on strength of rock mass around roadway——insight from numerical modeling

To investigate the resist-decreasing effects of rock bolts on the strength of the rock mass around a roadway, a compara- tive study has been carded out using the numerical analysis code FLAC3D. An unsupported and a rock bolt supported model have been built for comparison. Two types of rock mass strength, the uniaxial compressive strength （UCS） and the wiaxial compressive strength （TCS） of rock mass have been obtained from each model, using a prepared Fish based on the Mohr-Coulomb criterion. The results indicate that when a roadway is excavated, both the UCS and TCS in a definite local rock mass around the roadway would inevitably decrease, no matter whether the roadway is supported or not. The major decreasing region did not settle in the middle of the roadway surface, but within a deeper horizon into the rock mass. The resist-decreasing effects of rock bolts both on the UCS and the TCS of rock mass around roadway are significant.

Effects of different pull-out loading rates on mechanical behaviors and acoustic emission responses of fully grouted bolts

Due to the influence of mining disturbance stress,it is of great significance to better understand the bearing characteristics of fully grouted bolts under different pull-out loading rates.For this purpose,a series of laboratory pull-out tests were conducted to comprehensively investigate the effects of different pull-out loading rates on the mechanical performance and failure characteristics of fully grouted bolts.The results show that the mechanical performance of the anchored specimen presents obvious loading rate dependence and shear enhancement characteristics.With the increase of the pull-out loading rates,the maximum pull-out load increases,the displacement and time corresponding to the maximum pull-out load decrease.The accumulated acoustic emission(AE)counts,AE energy and AE events all decrease with the increase of the pull-out loading rates.The AE peak frequency has obvious divisional distribution characteristics and the amplitude is mainly distributed between 50-80 dB.With the increase of the pull-out loading rates,the local strain of the anchoring interface increases and the failure of the anchoring interface transfers to the interior of the resin grout.The accumulated AE counts are used to evaluate the damage parameter of the anchoring interface during the whole pull-out process.The analytical results are in good agreement with the experimental results.The research results may provide guidance for the support design and performance monitoring of fully grouted bolts.

Utilizing a novel fiber optic technology to capture the axial responses of fully grouted rock bolts

Rock bolts are one of the primary support systems utilized in underground excavations within the civil and mining engineering industries. Rock bolts support the weakened rock mass adjacent to the opening of an excavation by fastening to the more stable, undisturbed formations further from the excavation. The overall response of such a support element has been determined under varying loading conditions in the laboratory and in situ experiments in the past four decades; however, due to the limitations with conventional monitoring methods of capturing strain, there still exists a gap in knowledge associated with an understanding of the geomechanical responses of rock bolts at the microscale. In this paper, we try to address this current gap in scientific knowledge by utilizing a newly developed distributed optical strain sensing(DOS) technology that provides an exceptional spatial resolution of 0.65 mm to capture the strain along the rock bolt. This DOS technology utilizes Rayleigh optical frequency domain reflectometry(ROFDR) which provides unprecedented insight into various mechanisms associated with axially loaded rebar specimens of different embedment lengths, grouting materials, borehole annulus conditions, and borehole diameters. The embedment length of the specimens was found to be the factor that significantly affected the loading of the rebar. The critical embedment length for the fully grouted rock bolts(FGRBs) was systematically determined to be430 mm. The results herein highlight the effects of the variation of these individual parameters on the geomechanical responses FGRBs.

A robust approach to identify roof bolts in 3D point cloud data captured from a mobile laser scanner

Roof bolts such as rock bolts and cable bolts provide structural support in underground mines.Frequent assessment of these support structures is critical to maintain roof stability and minimise safety risks in underground environments.This study proposes a robust workflow to classify roof bolts in 3 D point cloud data and to generate maps of roof bolt density and spacing.The workflow was evaluated for identifying roof bolts in an underground coal mine with suboptimal lighting and global navigation satellite system(GNSS)signals not available.The approach is based on supervised classification using the multi-scale Canupo classifier coupled with a random sample consensus(RANSAC)shape detection algorithm to provide robust roof bolt identification.The issue of sparseness in point cloud data has been addressed through upsampling by using a moving least squares method.The accuracy of roof bolt identification was measured by correct identification of roof bolts(true positives),unidentified roof bolts(false negatives),and falsely identified roof bolts(false positives)using correctness,completeness,and quality metrics.The proposed workflow achieved correct identification of 89.27%of the roof bolts present in the test area.However,considering the false positives and false negatives,the overall quality metric was reduced to 78.54%.

Evaluation of load transfer mechanism under axial loads in a novel coupler of dual height rock bolts

The effective reinforcement of two or more overlying layers of mine openings in a single installation is usually done by coupling of two standard rock bolts mainly during the extraction of medium-thick coal seams.However,field observations show that the couplers of multiple bolts often degrade or break mostly at their connections.These types of failures can be avoided by strengthening the couplers of such multi-bolts assemblies.To achieve this,a novel threaded coupler system with an expansion shell was suggested in this paper.The newly designed coupler consists of a threaded tapered-plug-cumconnector with an expansion shell for connecting and tightening two standard rock bolts.An analytical model for evaluating the load distribution along the coupler subject to axial load was derived.Numerical analysis was performed to analyse the load transfer,deformation,and strains across the coupler including the factor of safety for the bolt-coupler-resin and bolt-coupler-expansion shell.The results validated the analytical model of the proposed coupler design,which provides better anchorage near the interface of the host rock mass.Thus,the developed coupler design would reduce the failures of the proposed coupler and stabilize laminated roof strata above the medium-thick coal seams in underground mines.