Rock Reinforcement
Learn about rock reinforcement tunnelling, mining and concrete
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Rock Reinforcement
History of Rock Reinforcement
Rock reinforcement was first used in 1890 in a Lead Mine in the USA. The technique was documented in 1920 at the St Joseph Lead Mine. In the 1940s rock, bolts were used in civil engineering tunnelling projects in the USA and Australia.
Rock bolts were used and further developed in 1947 by an Australian engineer who began experimenting with four-meter-long expanding rock bolts.
Rock Bolts
Rock reinforcement is the process of drilling holes into the rock face and inserting a steel anchor bolt. The bolts hold together blocks of rock that otherwise are fractured. Without the bolt anchor reinforcement, the fractured blocks could fall.
The geology engineer determines the number, length, patterns and types of rock reinforcement for the project. This is an ongoing process in the New Austrian Tunneling Method as the tunnel may pass through many different rock formation types.
The modern plant and machinery used in mines and tunnelling are very effective and fast. The process is relatively is inexpensive.
There are three methods that the rock bolts work:
- Mechanical
- Grouted
- Friction
Mechanical anchors are the most used. Mechanical rock bolts use an expansion shell that expands when a cone is pressed into them from tightening the bolt.
The two mechanisms using to anchor the bolts against the borehole are friction and interlock. The rock bolts have a plate that acts as a washer. The faceplate helps to distribute the load to the surrounding rock. The bolts are tightened up to they are in tension, holding the rock together.
The grouted version of a rock bolt uses a grout and a treaded bar. The grout can be either cement or chemical resin.
Friction anchors are the most recent development. A radial force against the whole borehole wall is generated that gives resistance to sliding.
Rock Reinforcement Patterns
Rock bolts, in most cases, are installed in patterns. The design of the patterns is determined by the rock quality and the type of excavation. Rock reinforcement is an essential part of the process in the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM).
Wire Mesh
Rock bolts may be used to fix wire mesh to the rock surface. The wire mesh will help catch any small rocks falling, but the rock bolt will help knit the rock mass together and is the primary use.
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