A Numerical Investigation to Calculate Ultimate Limit State Capacity of Cable Bolts Subjected to Impact Loading

As rock bursts are unavoidable in deep mines and excavations with high in-situ stresses, ground support systems are implemented to manage and mitigate rock bursts. Cable bolts are commonly used as reinforcing elements in ground support systems, which are subject to dynamic loads in burst-prone excavations. To design an efficient cable bolt in burst-prone conditions, shear and energy absorption capacity must be considered. Numerical modelling is an advantageous method of repeatable testing and it is inexpensive and non-destructive. This study develops a statically and dynamically loaded numerical model of a double shear test in ABAQUS/Explicit. A total of 36 static and 576 dynamic tests are carried out, which examine the influence of bolt diameter, steel yield and ultimate strength, dynamic load velocity and dynamic load mass on the displacement, shear force and energy absorption capacity of cable bolts. As bolt diameter and steel yield strength increases, the maximum shear force resisted and bolt displacement increases. Similarly, as the mass and velocity of the dynamic load increases, the amount of energy absorbed by the cable bolt increases. The main novelty of the current research is to suggest a reliable computational tool to investigate the influence of the different key parameters in the cable bolts on the ultimate capacity. The suggested method is a significantly cost-effective technique compared with the experimental investigations.

Automated summary

Ground support systems, such as cable bolts, are used to manage and mitigate rock bursts in deep mines and excavations with high in-situ stresses. This study develops a numerical model to analyze the influence of key parameters on the displacement, shear force, and energy absorption capacity of cable bolts under dynamic loads. The results show that increasing bolt diameter and steel yield strength increases the shear force resisted and bolt displacement. Additionally, increasing the mass and velocity of the dynamic load increases the energy absorbed by the cable bolt.