Abstract
A major challenge in the selection of ground support is establishing their long-term performance under different and often ground conditions. Exposing ground support elements in corrosive underground mining environments can potentially result in degradation of the ground support, loss of performance, and ultimate failure. Typically, the susceptibility to corrosion of ground support elements is based on past performance, field observations, and long-term observations in a range of underground environments.
A major challenge is how to predict the performance of new rock reinforcement elements installed in potentially corrosive environments and, consequently, their applicability as long-term ground support. This paper reports on the use of accelerated corrosion techniques to investigate the susceptibility to corrosion of different steel grades employed in newly developed mechanical hybrid rockbolts. Currently, there is no data on their long-term performance in corrosive environments to provide guidance to mine operators. These rockbolts consist of a steel tendon mechanically anchored inside a friction unit component. Although these rockbolts offer an attractive option due to their relatively ease of installation, there is a need for more information on the corrosion behaviour in predicting their potential long-term performance.