A numerical study of the behavior of fully grouted rockbolts under dynamic loading: Fid-Bau Portal

A numerical study of the behavior of fully grouted rockbolts under dynamic loading

Mortazavi, Ali / Tabatabaei Alavi, Fatemeh

Abstract The widespread preference for rockbolts in providing adequate rock stability in underground mines and man-made cavities make it necessary to obtain a better understanding of the response of these support systems. It is widely accepted that the fully grouted rockbolts provide better roof stability in areas of very poor roof condition which may be caused by high ground stress conditions. There is little information about the in situ behavior of these systems especially under dynamic loading. Hence, to study the behavior of fully grouted rockbolts under dynamic loading, a numerical modeling study was conducted using the FLAC^3D code. In this study the behavior of three types of fully grouted rockbolts were compared with each other including rockbolts with and without head plate and a yielding type one. The results of analyses indicated that under dynamic loading the fully grouted rockbolts without the head plate are incapable of controlling the rock mass movement. Although fully grouted rockbolts with head plate damp a considerable amount of the dynamic energy through friction as these bolts slide within the grout, but the elongation of the rockbolt is not possible due to the rapid breakage of the rockbolt–grout interface. Yielding rockbolts are the best choice for the absorption of the dynamic stress wave and controlling of the rock mass movement. The obtained results show that the optimal design of yielding rockbolt should be in such a way that after dynamic loading, anchoring part of bolt has a limited movement to prevent stress concentration in the shaft of rockbolt and its breakage.

Highlights • The paper uses an advanced approach to the analyses of dynamic bolt behaviour. • The conducted analysis demonstrates some of the key mechanisms involved in dynamic bolt behaviour. • The obtained results can aid in the planning of experimental works on bolt behaviour. • The obtained results can be used in bolt design under dynamic loading condition.