ABSTRACT: For some years it has become increasingly apparent that control of the kinetic energy imparted to the rock by the seismic ground motion is the crucial consideration for the design of rockburst support. Another essential requirement is increased area coverage provided by a support system, which not only maintains the integrity of a zone of intensely fractured rock surrounding deep mine tunnels, but also provides a large area coverage support right at the development end where falls of ground are common.
One of the strategies to overcome these problems and to achieve the associated benefits is to develop support units and systems which are better able to control the fractured rock wall, particularly when rockburst conditions occur and the rock walls can be subjected to velocities of 6 m/s or more.
Accordingly, the Chamber of Mines Research Organization, now the CSIR Mining Technology Division, developed and successfully tested two new support systems for tunnels: a new generation of grouted yielding tendons and a flexible water based, spray-on temporary support. These developments address two important needs: improved seismic energy dissipation; and improved area coverage by support systems.
