Design combined support under arbitrary impulsive loading

Rock bolts and cable bolts are usually considered to experience static loads under relatively low-stress conditions. However, in burst-prone conditions, support elements are subjected to dynamic loading. Therefore, it is important to understand cable bolt behaviour under dynamic loading conditions, particularly their energy absorption capacity. Rock bolts and cable bolts as well as steel mesh are widely used as permanent support elements in tunnelling, underground excavations and surface slope stability. This paper aims to determine the amount of the dissipated energy which can be taken into account to design combined yielding supports when subjected to dynamic loading. A ground support approach is suggested for underground excavations undertaking a range of mining-induced coal burst. A bench mark based on the largest expected impact loading is considered to conclude the level of coal burst risk and select an appropriate approach, whether quasi-static or dynamic, for the mine support.