doi:10.

36487/ACG_rep/1952_17_Hagen

Laboratory full-scale rock bolt testing:

Analysis of recent results

S.A. Hagen1, T. Larsen1, A. Berghorst2, and G. Knox3

1SINTEF
AS, Norway
2NewConcept Mining Canada
3New Concept Mining, South Africa

Rock bolting is a method used for rock reinforcement in underground mining and
tunnelling. There is a large variety of different types of rock bolts with different support
functions. The behaviour of a rock bolt in a rock mass depends on the function and material
of the bolt itself, combined with the mechanical properties of the rock mass, deformation
capacity, strength and level of stress. Testing of rock bolts in full-scale laboratory-
controlled conditions is therefore of great importance. At the rock mechanics laboratory of
SINTEF and Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, a
rock bolt test rig has been developed for full-scale testing for pull, shear and combination
pull-shear tests. This paper describes the principles behind this quasi-static full-scale
testing and includes the results and analyses of recent tests performed on different types
of rock bolts. It also discusses the applicability of the test rig for rock bolt selection and rock
support design.

INTRODUCTION

At the rock mechanics laboratory of SINTEF and NTNU in Trondheim (Norway), a rock bolt test rig has
been developed for full-scale testing for pull, shear and combination pull-shear tests. The rock bolt test
rig was developed in 1995, in conjunction with Gisle Stjern’s doctoral thesis. The test rig was financed
by research funds and also by Ørsta AS, one of the leading suppliers of rock bolts. The purpose of
Stjern’s work was to investigate the mechanical performance of different rock bolts when subjected to
different loading conditions. The aim was to be able to simplify the choice of bolt type and design for a
given application (Stjern, 1995). Subsequently, the bolt test rig has been used for several masters and
doctoral research projects as well as for commissioned testing. More than 35 different bolt types have
been tested in the full-scale test rig. The rock mechanics laboratory at SINTEF/NTNU has gained
valuable experience and significant knowledge as a result of these test programmes.

An important element of this test facility is that it allows us, in a controlled and fully monitored way, to
pull/shear the bolts to loads beyond their capacity. This includes testing the capacity of the fixation
system using fully-grouted/resin- grouted bolts or other methods. Thus, it can also be used as a system
test.

SINTEF was commissioned by New Concept Mining (NCM) to test various types of bolts in the rock
mechanics laboratory from 2016 to 2018. The purpose of the tests was to certify the bolts for use in
specific mines and also certify their properties in the full-scale test-rig. Some of the results from these
tests will be presented as examples of test results from the full-scale rock bolt test rig. These results will
be compared to other standardised tests performed elsewhere on the same bolts.

Deep Mining 2019 Conference

Muldersdrift, 24–25 June 2019
The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
217
TEST ARRANGEMENT

Test apparatus – SINTEF/NTNU rock bolt test rig

The SINTEF/NTNU rock bolt test rig consists of a rigid frame with two concrete cubic blocks (See Figure
1 and Figure 2). The two concrete blocks can be moved relative to each other in two different directions
in the horizontal plane. This is used to simulate shear and tensile loads on the test bolts. The movement
is shown in Figure 3. Each block measures 0.95 m along each side. To simulate hard rock conditions and
secure strong fixation points, both blocks are cast from high strength concrete (UCS  120 MPa). The
blocks are cured for at least 28 days after casting and before testing. The test rig has a loading capacity
of 600 kN in tension and 500 kN in shear. The hydraulic loading system consists of two hollow jacks (2
x 300 kN) pulling the tensile cube, and one ram jack pushing the shear cube. The hydraulic pressure
cylinders have a maximum stroke length of 250 mm in tension and 150 mm in shear.

Roller bearings are installed between the blocks and the frame in order to guide the blocks and minimize
frictional resistance. The roller bearings and frame also minimise rotation of the concrete blocks during
the test. The test rig is instrumented with extensometers, load cells and hydraulic pressure transducers.
The data from these is used to generate the load-deformation characteristics of each test. The practical
accuracy of the readout is 1 kN in load and 1 mm in deformation. Strain gauge measurement can be
used to get detailed information of the load distribution along the bolt during the test.

This test will be referred to as the SINTEF/NTNU shear or pull test in the following sections.

Figure 1. Outline of the test rig. Extensometers are placed on rock bolt head, tension cube and shear cube. Load
cell is placed on bolt head. Concrete blocks (in grey) are located inside the blue frame of the test rig.

218
 Figure 2. Diagrams illustrating the principles of rock bolt static pull and shear tests (Li, 2010)

Test procedure
Drilling holes for bolt installation
Before the cured blocks are installed in the test rig, the rock bolt test installation boreholes are drilled to
the same diameter as used in the field. Figure 3 shows percussive drilling of the test boreholes. It is
important that the boreholes are correctly aligned in the concrete blocks, especially for correct
installation of the rock bolts. Each pair of blocks can accommodate a maximum of 13 tests before
boreholes are too close to the edge of the block for accurate testing. Holes that are near the edge of the
block can only be used for pull tests to avoid failure of blocks. The hole diameter can be adjusted to the
specifications of the rock bolt being tested. Typical borehole diameters are 33 mm and 48 mm. The rock
bolt length that can be accommodated is approximately 1.8 m - 2.0 m to suit the geometry of the test rig
and depending on the bolt type.

Figure 3. Drilling holes for testing.

Installing rock bolt

Figure 4 shows the principles for installing rock bolts in the concrete blocks. To simulate in-situ
conditions, SINTEF/NTNU procedure requires that the bolts are tested with the same outfit as for
normal installation. The two concrete blocks are inserted into the frame and the alignment of the drill
holes for the specific test are checked. A hollow rubber gasket (8 mm thick, Ø150 mm) is placed directly
over the drill hole, creating a seal when the two concrete blocks are pressed together. The seal will
prevent cement mortar or resin from flowing between the concrete blocks, as well as creating a gap of
approximately 5 mm between the concrete blocks. This gap between the concrete blocks minimises the
influence of the joint shear resistance during a shear test. A constant load of 15 kN- 20 kN compresses
the concrete blocks during the installation of the rock bolt and the curing of the cement mortar or resin.
Mixing and filling with grout is normally performed with ordinary field equipment. The drill hole needs

219
to be plugged at the far end and grouting is performed carefully to ensure complete filling. Curing time
and water-cement ratios are important factors regarding the installation and are carefully documented.
As standard for cement mortar, a curing time of a minimum of 72 hours and a water-cement ratio of
0.32 are used. Other types of bolt anchoring can also be applied, such as mechanical anchoring and
friction anchoring.

Figure 4. Layout of test setup when rock bolt is installed in concrete blocks, ready for testing. Sketch applies for
shear and tension tests.

Testing of bolt performance

When the installation is complete, the testing will normally commence after 72 hours and the clamping
force of 15 – 20 kN is then removed. The rock bolt head is equipped with a load cell to measure the load
transferred to the head of the rock bolt in the test. The nut of the bolt head is normally pretensioned to
a tensile load of 5 kN to insure good contact. Extensometers are mounted on the bolt and the concrete
blocks to measure displacement. Before the test is conducted, the test rig hydraulic cylinders are
pressurized to a 15 kN load in the test direction (shear or pull) to remove any slack in the system. Testing
is then performed with a constant deformation rate of approximately 30 mm per minute until failure.
The datalogging rate is 5 Hz during the whole test. After testing, the failure of the bolt and bolt head is
carefully inspected and documented with photos and comments.

Test results
Test results include: yield load, ultimate load and deformation; this is reported in tables with graphs
and photos from the testing. Shear capacity of bolts is shown as applied shear load, including the shear
resistance of the joint. Comments describe the type of failure and other conditions that could be of
importance for the test results. Documented bolt performance is based on a minimum of three
individual test runs for both shear and pull tests. Rock bolt behaviour can be classified as stiff, ductile
and energy-absorbing from the point of view of bolt performance (Li, 2010). Figure 5 shows typical test
result graphs from the SINTEF/NTNU test rig for three different bolts subjected to shear and pull tests.

220
 Figure 5. Performance of different rock bolts subjected to pull loading and shear loading, classified as stiff,
ductile and energy-absorbing (Li, 2010).

Test apparatus – Direct shear and tensile test

Both the direct shear and pull test methods as described below are common industry testing methods.
However, special tools and jigs were designed by New Concept Mining (NCM) for conducting their
own tests. The tests were commissioned and performed at reputable testing centres, including the CSIR.
The purpose of these tests was to attempt to quantify the performance of the rock bolts being tested.
The results from the SINTEF/NTNU testing machine will be compared to the results obtained from
some of the shear and pull tests on rock bolts. The pull test results were obtained by testing an entire
rock bolt grouted inside a steel tube. This steel tube is cut in its mid-point. The assembly is fitted into a
tensile testing machine and pulled until the rock bolt breaks. The data from these tests is logged and
processed and presented in the following section. The layout of the pull test is shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6. Pull test layout for the standard tensile test.

The standard shear testing involves grouting a portion of a rock bolt in a steel tube. This steel tube is
cut in two places around its mid-point. This assembly is then fitted into a double shear testing jig as
indicated in the Figure 7.

Figure 7. Double shear test layout for standard shear testing

The double shear test will induce a shear failure in two positions on the test sample, and therefore in
order to quantify the single shear performance of the rock bolt, the load is halved. During this test the
loading head travels at approximately 30 mm per minute. The test is designed so that the two outer

221
components are supported while the middle portion moves downward. This test induces a double
shearing action on the test sample. It should be noted that during this test the loaded sample is confined
within the test jig.

These tests will be referred to as the standard shear or pull test in the following sections.

Recent test results

Results from recent tests undertaken at SINTEF/NTNU include data for the PAR1 and Hydrabolt
manufactured by NCM. The results from the SINTEF/NTNU testing machine will be compared to the
results obtained from standard pull and shear tests described above and on the same bolt types.

Pull test grout anchored energy-absorbing rock bolt – PAR1 20 mm bolt

Figure 8 shows the PAR1 bolt. The PAR1 Bolt is an energy-absorbing rock bolt designed with a paddled
yielding bar. This yielding bolt is designed for use in underground mines that experience squeezing
ground and/or rock bursting. The design of the PAR1 Bolt is such that it can be used with a variety of
encapsulated mediums, including cementitious grout and resin capsules. Installation was completed as
per the abovementioned test procedure in 33 mm test holes drilled in the concrete blocks. The rock bolts
were fully grouted with an NCM grout designed for use with rockbolts in high temperature mines.
Testing was carried out after a minimum curing time of 48 hours.

Figure 8. PAR1 energy-absorbing rock bolt (NCM).

Table I and Table II show pull test results for the two different methods, and load-displacement
behaviours of the bolts are shown in Figure 9. For the SINTEF/NTNU pull test, the mean maximum
load and displacement are 236 kN and 164 mm respectively. For the standard pull test, the mean
maximum load and displacement are 227 kN and 160 mm respectively. Figure 10 shows the bolt pull
test failure.

Table I. Test results pull test grouted anchored PAR1 20 mm energy-absorbing bolt (SINTEF, 2016).

Yielding load Maximum load Maximum displacement

Test ID
[kN] [kN] [mm]
Test 1 (SINTEF) 183 232 133
Test 2 (SINTEF) 180 238 153
Test 2 (SINTEF) 177 238 153
Mean 180 236 164

222
Table II. Pull test results for grouted PAR1 20 mm energy-absorbing bolts (CSIR, 2015). Test results displacement
scaled as a function of loaded length*).

Yielding load Maximum load Maximum displacement

Test ID
[kN] [kN] [mm]
Test 1 (Std. Shear) N/A 223 165
Test 2 (Std. Shear) N/A 228 156
Test 3 (Std. Shear) N/A 229 158
Mean N/A 227 160

*) Standard test sample was longer than the SINTEF/NTNU sample. Therefore, the displacement for the Standard
test has been scaled as a function of the loaded length of the samples from the SINTEF/NTNU test and the Standard
test.

Figure 9. Comparison of pull test results for PAR1 20 mm bolt, load displacement plot, for standard pull test
and SINTEF/NTNU pull test*).

Figure 10. Post-test view of grouted PAR1 20 mm rock bolt, SINTEF/NTNU pull test on the left (SINTEF,
2016) and the standard pull test on the right (CSIR, 2015).

223
Shear test of grouted energy-absorbing rock bolt – PAR1 25 mm bolt
This test was performed using a PAR1 25 mm bolt (See Figure 8). The PAR1 25 mm bolts that were
submitted for shear testing are manufactured from high strain to failure steel. These rock bolts are
drawn from a single batch of steel from a standard production line with no special treatment given
during manufacturing. Installation was completed as per the abovementioned test procedure in 33 mm
test holes drilled in the concrete blocks. The rock bolts were fully grouted with an NCM grout designed
for use with rock bolts in hot mines. Testing was carried out after a minimum curing time of 48 hours.

Table III and Table IV show shear test results for the two different methods; load-displacement
behaviours of the bolts are shown in Figure 11. For the SINTEF/NTNU shear test, the mean maximum
load and displacement are 327 kN and 59 mm respectively. For the direct shear test the mean maximum
load and displacement are 271 kN and 21 mm respectively. Figure 12 shows the bolt shear test failure.

Table III. SINTEF/NTNU shear test of grouted PAR1 25 mm energy-absorbing bolt (SINTEF, 2016)

Yielding load Maximum load Maximum displacement

Test ID
[kN] [kN] [mm]
Test 1 (SINTEF) 96 325 56
Test 2 (SINTEF) 89 323 60
Test 3 (SINTEF) 89 333 60
Mean 91 327 59

Table IV. Test results for shear tests on grouted PAR1 25 mm energy-absorbing bolt (CSIR, 2016). Maximum
load adjusted for 2 points of support (original maximum load divided by 2).

Yielding load Maximum load Maximum displacement

Test ID
[kN] [kN] [mm]
Test 1 (Std. Shear) N/A 272 22
Test 2 (Std. Shear) N/A 271 21
Test 3 (Std. Shear) N/A 269 21
Test 4 (Std. Shear) N/A 270 21
Test 5 (Std. Shear) N/A 273 22
Mean N/A 271 21

224
Figure 11. Comparison of shear test results for the PAR1 25 mm bolt, load displacement plot, for standard shear
test and SINTEF/NTNU shear test.

Figure 12. Post-test view of grouted PAR1 20 mm rock bolt, SINTEF/NTNU shear test on the left (SINTEF,
2017) and the standard double shear test on the right (CSIR, 2016).

Shear test inflatable bolt – Hydrabolt 29 mm

Figure 13 shows the 29 mm Hydrabolt. Hydrabolts used in these tests have an uninflated tube diameter
of 29 mm. The wall thickness of the tube is 2.0 mm. This Hydrabolt is designed to be installed in a hole
with a diameter of between 34 mm and 40 mm. For the SINTEF/NTNU test method 37 mm holes were
used. The bolt was installed with a water inflation pressure of 300 bar. Testing was carried out within
10 minutes after inflation.

Figure 13. Inflatable bolt, Hydrabolt 29 mm

225
Table V and Table VI show shear test results for the two different methods; load-displacement
behaviours of the bolts are shown in Figure 19 and Figure 20. For the SINTEF/NTNU shear test, the
mean maximum load and displacement are 119 kN and 41 mm respectively. For the direct shear test,
the mean maximum load and displacement are 60 kN and 11 mm respectively. Figure 16 and Figure 17
show the bolt shear test failures.

Table V. Test results SINTEF/NTNU shear test Hydrabolt 29 mm inflatable bolt (SINTEF, 2017)

Yielding load Maximum load Maximum displacement

Test ID
[kN] [kN] [mm]
Test 1 (SINTEF) 43 119 41
Test 2 (SINTEF) 39 121 40
Test 3 (SINTEF) 42 117 42
Mean 41 119 41

Table VI. Shear test results Hydrabolt 29 mm inflatable bolt (CSIR, 2016) Maximum load halved for double shear

Yielding load Maximum load Maximum displacement

Test ID
[kN] [kN] [mm]
Test 1 (Std. Shear) N/A 65 9
Test 2 (Std. Shear) N/A 58 8
Test 3 (Std. Shear) N/A 62 13
Test 4 (Std. Shear) N/A 62 13
Test 5 (Std. Shear) N/A 55 12
Mean N/A 60 11

Figure 14. Comparison of shear test results for the Hydrabolt 29 mm, load displacement plot, for standard shear
test and SINTEF/NTNU shear test

226
 Figure 15. Post-test view of grouted 29 mm Hydrabolt, SINTEF/NTNU shear test on the left (SINTEF, 2017)
and the standard double shear test on the right (CSIR, 2016).

DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Comparison of pull test results (Standard direct pull test – SINTEF/NTNU test)
The tensile tests performed in the SINTEF/NTNU rock bolt testing rig can be approximated using a
steel tube with a rock bolt installed in either resin or grout. The real benefit of the SINTEF/NTNU
apparatus is its ability to better simulate a bolt hole like that in which the rock bolt will be installed in
underground. Since the bolt hole used in the test is drilled into the concrete blocks, the roughness of the
actual borehole is similar to the borehole underground. Another advantage of this test method over the
standard test method is the fact that it is easier to simulate the actual transverse stiffness (ASTM, 2008)
of an actual bolt hole.

While this may not have a significant impact on the test results of a fully encapsulated rock bolt, it can
significantly impact the performance of a rock bolt that relies on some form of friction, or mechanical
anchoring. In such cases, the SINTEF/NTNU testing method is potentially a more accurate
representation of what will be experienced underground.

Comparison of shear test results (Standard direct shear test – SINTEF/NTNU test).
The maximum loads and displacements of the bolts are quite different when comparing the results of
the two shear test methods. Earlier shear tests carried out by Stjern in 1995, show the same trend. The
higher capacities found by the SINTEF/NTNU full-scale test rig, may be explained by the crushing of
the concrete host blocks and the grout, which facilitates bending of the bolt shank and gives almost pure
tensile stresses in the bolt at failure (Stjern, 1995). When interpreting the shear capacities of the bolts,
the influence of the shear resistance from the joint was not taken into account. The bolt can give a wedge
effect to the planes, forcing the surfaces apart and hence suspend the shear contribution from the joint
when the bolt is drawn into the joint (Stjern, 1995).

In the standard shear tests as performed above, the shearing load applies somewhat of a guillotine effect
on the bolts. The shear capacity results found from pure shear tests carried out in the guillotine jig can
be regarded as a minimum bolt shear capacity (Stjern, 1995). The failure surfaces of the ruptured bolts
tested in the full-scale rig are more comparable to bolt failures seen in-situ than those from the guillotine
tests (Stjern, 1995) as can be seen in Figure 16. Shear failure of rock bolts underground is rarely a pure
shear failure of a guillotine type. This is the value of this type of testing procedure.

If a rock engineer were to design for the shear capacity (Load and displacement) based on the shear test
results of the standard test, a more extensive (and expensive) support system may be required compared
to a potentially more cost-effective support system based on results from the SINTEF/NTNU test rig.

The SINTEF/NTNU testing procedure has other benefits. One such benefit being when the material
used to install/test the rock bolt can be designed to approximate the host rock in which the rock bolt

227
will be used. Another benefit is associated with the testing procedure is the ability to test a combination
of tensile and shear loading in a single test (Yu Chen, 2014).

Figure 16. A rebar bolt exposed on the advance face of a cut-and-fill mine stope. The bolt was subjected to shear
loads and deviated from its original hole trace. The thick arrows point the direction of possible shear movements
in the rock (Li, 2009).

CONCLUSION

A brief summary of test results and findings: from the comparison of test methods:

 The pull test capacities resulting from SINTEF/NTNU and Standard tests are quite similar for
this type of bolt.
o SINTEF/NTNU mean maximum load and displacement of 236 kN and 164 mm.
o The standard pull test mean maximum load and displacement of 227 kN and 160 mm.

 SINTEF/NTNU test gave higher shear test capacities than the standard shear test.
o Both load and displacement are higher.
 For the Par1 25 mm fully grouted energy-absorbing bolt the maximum load
ratio was 1.2 and the displacement ratio was 2.8 between the two test methods.
 For the Hydrabolt 29 mm inflatable bolt the maximum load ratio was 2.0 and
the displacement ratio was 3.7 between the two test methods.
o The higher test results may be due to the fact that the loading is not purely shear, and
a tensile contribution is present, but this varies with the type of bolt and bolt design (Li,
2010)

 SINTEF/NTNU test produces a better representation of reality compared to standard direct

tests.
o Bolt is installed in simulated hard rock conditions

 Standard shear tests are more suitable to measure the bolt material minimum shear capacity of
a bolt used underground.

228
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to chief scientist and Professor II Eivind Grøv at SINTEF/NTNU for helpful suggestions
regarding this paper.

REFERENCES

ASTM, 2008. Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Rock Anchor Capacities by Pull
and Drop Tests. D7401.

Li, C.C. 2009. Field Observations of Rock Bolts in High Stress Rock Masses. Rock Mechanics and Rock
Engineering (July 2009).

Li, C.C. 2010. A new energy-absorbing bolt for rock support in high stress rock masses, International
Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 47 (3) (2010), pp. 396-404.

CSIR, 2016. Shear testing of five Hydrabolt assemblies (Ø29 mm SAE1010, 1.8 wall thickness). Certificate
No.: T24358. CSIR, Johannesburg, South Africa.

CSIR, 2016. Shear testing of five grout bar capsules. Certificate No.: T24529. CSIR, Johannesburg, South
Africa.

CSIR, 2015. Test of ten bolts (20mm PAR1 Resin Bolts). Certificate No.: T23352. CSIR, Johannesburg,
South Africa.

SINTEF, 2017. Full Scale Rock Bolt Testing: Testing of strength and deformation properties of rock bolt
type Hydrabolt 29 mm. Report No. 2017:00004. SINTEF, Trondheim, Norway.

SINTEF,2017. Full Scale Rock Bolt Testing: Testing of strength and deformation properties of 25 mm
Par1 rock bolts. Report No. SBF2017F0007. SINTEF, Trondheim, Norway.

SINTEF, 2016. Full Scale Rock Bolt Testing: Testing of strength and deformation properties of Mp1 and
Par1 bolts. Report No. SBF2016F0470. SINTEF, Trondheim, Norway.

Stjern, G. 1995 Practical Performance of Rock Bolts. Doctoral thesis, University of Trondheim, Norway.

Chen, Y.2014 Experimental study and stress analysis of rock bolt anchorage performance, Journal of
Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering 6 (2014) 428-437.

229
 Simon Alexander Hagen

Senior Rock Technician, Rock and Soil Mechanics

SINTEF AS

Educated Laboratory Technician and College Engineer in Rock Engineering with 10 years of experience
in Rock Mechanics laboratory and field test methods.

230