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Rock Mechanics.pdf - Mining and Blasting

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Figure 11.29 Some support mechanisms<br />

developed by shotcrete: (a) a<br />

single block; (b) a beam anchored by<br />

bolts; (c) a roof arch; (d) a closed ring<br />

(after Brown, 1999b).<br />

MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES<br />

Some of the support mechanisms developed by shotcrete on the peripheries of<br />

excavations are illustrated in Figure 11.29. The support functions, modes of failure <strong>and</strong><br />

methods of design of shotcrete as a component of hard rock support <strong>and</strong> reinforcement<br />

systems are discussed by Holmgren (2001) <strong>and</strong> by Kaiser <strong>and</strong> Tannant (2001). Hoek<br />

et al. (1995) provide a set of detailed recommendations for the use of shotcrete in a<br />

range of rock mass conditions likely to be encountered in hard rock mining.<br />

Shotcrete is prepared using either the dry-mix or the wet-mix process. In the drymix<br />

process, dry or slightly dampened cement, s<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> aggregate are mixed at the<br />

batching plant, <strong>and</strong> then entrained in compressed air <strong>and</strong> transported to the discharge<br />

nozzle. Water is added through a ring of holes at the nozzle. Accurate water control<br />

is essential to avoid excessive dust when too little water is used or an over-wet mix<br />

when too much water is added. In the wet-mix process, the required amount of water<br />

is added at the batching plant, <strong>and</strong> the wet mix is pumped to the nozzle where the<br />

compressed air is introduced. A comparison of the dry- <strong>and</strong> wet-mix processes is<br />

given in Table 11.2. Until the last decade dry-mix method was more widely used,<br />

mainly because the equipment required is lighter <strong>and</strong> less expensive, <strong>and</strong> because the<br />

dry material can be conveyed over longer distances, an important advantage in mining<br />

applications. However, wet-mix methods have important advantages for underground<br />

mining applications in terms of reduced dust levels, lower skill requirements <strong>and</strong> the<br />

need for less equipment at the application site. They have now become the industry<br />

st<strong>and</strong>ard (Brown, 1999b, Spearing, 2001).<br />

Shotcrete mix design is a difficult <strong>and</strong> complex process involving a certain amount<br />

of trial <strong>and</strong> error. The mix design must satisfy the following criteria (Hoek <strong>and</strong> Brown,<br />

1980):<br />

(a) Shootability – the mix must be able to be placed overhead with minimum rebound.<br />

343

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