Considerable practical knowledge and effective use of empirical evidence is required in the design of tunnel support systems. In many instances, it is unclear how individual support elements interact with fractured rock and which elements of the support system ...

The large number of rock falls, the danger associated with such events and the frequency of their occurrence, especially in the deep mining activities in South Africa, has led to the development of a smart material (Smartbolt TM). Some 50% of underground fatalities ...

A punch test method has been developed to assess the performance of shotcrete and membranes. Each sample is sprayed onto a rock substrate containing a loading disc. The sample is rotated 180 degrees, placed onto the sample frame and constrained on all sides. ...

The authors wish to explore the possibility and practicality of making use of new generation support products to make the operation safer as well as enhance productivity in the development phase and during the undercut operation. This paper will attempt to ...

The Guideline for the Compilation of a Mandatory Codes of Practice to Combat Rockfall and Rockburst Accidents (2001) requires regular monitoring of the performance of support systems in important excavations. The guideline for complying with the Mine Support ...

An evaluation of the support resistance capacity of a void fill rib based support system was done in a conventional Merensky stoping face at RPM Rustenburg section, Turffontein shaft. The project was a sub component of a larger project evaluating the feasibility ...

One area of research involves the evaluation of polyurethane grouting technology that is commonly used to stabilize fractured mine roof strata. Concurrently, NIOSH is conducting work to evaluate the application of ground penetrating radar (GPR) for advanced ...

The San Juan Mine and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health conducted a study to measure how development mining affected bolt loads. Twelve fully grouted, instrumented roof bolts were installed at two three-way intersections as part of ...

Various surface controls are used in mines to control the roof skin. One control that has proven to be very effective is roof screening. Roof screen effectively controls roof skin and provides a high roof surface coverage. Although many mines are reluctant ...

This paper describes recent studies using short encapsulation pull tests in the U.S. The study found that the SEPT can be used to make a simple evaluation of resin bolt anchorage. Suggested procedures for conducting SEPT are included. The study also confirmed ...