Abstract:

A typical ground support system designed to safely excavate mine openings in rock consist of rock bolts, rock bolt plates, steel mesh, structural support lines, and shotcrete. The rockbolt plate, which connects the embedded rockbolt to the surface support, is a crucial part of a ground supporting system and is often the weakest link. Matching the correct embedded rockbolt to the rockbolt plate is crucial for proper ground support system interaction.

If the selected plate is too weak, it will deform and will prevent full rockbolt yielding. If the plate is too strong, the system will take a lower cumulative load due to the lost energy dissipation potential of the plate and there will be no indication of rockbolt load due to the hindering of plate deflection. The rockbolt plate should deform during the yielding phase of the rockbolt, and ultimately fail after the reinforcing element.

The ground support system must accommodate static and dynamic loading conditions and mechanical properties must be characterized to optimize rockbolt density and safety factor. CanmetMINING has developed a static and dynamic rockbolt plate testing regime using industry standards and innovative testing methods. The static testing methods are modified versions of standardized deflection tests. The dynamic testing methods were developed by CanmetMINING and include novel testing methodology. This paper describe the instrumentation and data acquisition methods, testing methodology, data processing method, and analysis of the static and dynamic test results from the tests.

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Steve Gaines

Biography