In-situ testing of ground support performance under strong dynamic loading

surface support systems (Espley et al. 2002, Archibald et al. 2003), study the response of rockbolts to dynamic loading (Haile et al. 2001, Tannant et al. 1994a, 1994b and 1995) and for broad ground motion studies (Hagan et al. 2001). Two series of simulated rockbursts have been carried out at the Long Shaft mine near Kambalda, Western Australia, with a view to testing the in situ performance of four integrated ground support and reinforcement systems when subjected to strong ground motion. The experiments are part of a wider series of tests being undertaken by the Australian Centre for Geomechanics at a number of seismically active Western Australian underground mines, with the aim of testing the in situ performance of a number of standard and innovative ground support systems under strong dynamic loading conditions. The testing includes ground motion measurement with a 16 channel Impulse seismic monitoring system, three-dimensional photogrammetric imaging using the CSIRO developed Sirovision package, crack monitoring using a borehole camera, digital video camera filming and extensive manual measurements and mapping (Heal et al. 2004). This paper discusses the methodology involved in carrying out these simulated rockbursts and also presents the issues that will be addressed with the view to ultimately improve our understanding of ground support system performance under strong dynamic loading conditions. The preliminary results from testing at Long Shaft are also presented. In Situ Testing of Ground Support Performance Under Strong Dynamic Loading