Paper contribution

Energy absorption capacity of cable bolts under impact loading for the stability of underground excavations

Adel Mottahedi; Naj Aziz; Alex Remennikov; Ali Mirzaghorbanali

Proceedings
EUROCK 2026
Pages
1047-1055
Submitted
28 January 2026
Accepted
15 June 2026
Published
12 August 2026

Summary

Abstract

Underground mining and tunnelling operations face major safety risks from dynamic events such as rockbursts. In this regard, cable bolts are essential reinforcement elements, yet their behaviour under impact loading, especially for high‑strength designs, remains insufficiently understood. This study examined the pull‑out performance of high‑strength cable bolts using controlled laboratory impact tests. A Reverse Pull-out Test Machine (RPTM) integrated with a drop hammer system was used, enabling direct measurement of axial load and displacement at the cable bolt for precise energy evaluation. Tests were performed on 70‑t SUMO bulbed and non‑bulbed cable bolts with a 300 mm encapsulation length, each subjected to an impact energy of 14.52 kJ. The results show that non‑bulbed cable bolts absorbed more energy (average 11.26 kJ versus 8.75 kJ) and showed greater displacement capacity (average 48.40 mm versus 36.25 mm) compared with bulbed cable bolts. The dominant failure mode was debonding at the cable-grout interface, characterised by frictional sliding and some cable rotation. Cable elongation was also observed, particularly in bulbed bolts, attributed to the mechanical anchorage created by the bulbs. Overall, the findings suggest that non‑bulbed cable bolts, due to their higher deformability, greater energy absorption, and extended energy dissipation capability, may offer superior performance in dynamically active ground conditions. These insights can support the development of more resilient, integrated support systems for excavation environments prone to rockburst hazards.

Contributors

Authors

  1. Adel Mottahedi University of Wollongong, Australia ORCID 0000-0001-7826-6181
  2. Naj Aziz University of Wollongong, Australia
  3. Alex Remennikov University of Wollongong, Australia
  4. Ali Mirzaghorbanali University of Southern Queensland

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References

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