Phil J.H. DE GRAAF, Queen’s University Department of Mining Engineering, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Andrew J. HYETT & Peter LAUSCH, Mine Design Technologies & Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Will F. BAWDEN, University of Toronto, Lassonde Mineral Engineering Program, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Mike YAO, Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co. Ltd., Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
Abstract
Cable bolts are widely used as a principal means of support. The monitoring of the performance of reinforcement is critical in improving and optimizing reinforcement designs. This paper presents case studies where Stretch Measurement to Assess Reinforcement Technology (SMART) instrumentation was used in conjunction with other observational, analytical, and numerical techniques to evaluate cable design performance and determine the nature of the failure mechanisms. These case studies also provide an excellent comparative study of the in situ bond stiffness of plain strand and Garford bulb cable, as well as in evaluating the influence of faceplates on Garford cable’s performance. Cable bolt design was optimized through a multifaceted design methodology and verified through field instrumentation. The changes in stope support design and cable bolting practice have resulted in significant cost savings.
