Swellex / Split Sets

The Swellex / Split Set bolt model (also called Frictional bolts or Shear bolts) in Phase2 works as follows:

• The entire bolt behaves as a single element. For purposes of the algorithm, the bolt is discretized according to the intersections with the finite elements, however, the behaviour of each segment of the bolt has a direct effect on adjacent segments.

• The stiffness of the bolt / rock interface is taken into account.

• Unlike the Plain Strand Cable model, the confining stress level in the rock does NOT affect the shear strength or stiffness of the bolt.

Failure Mechanisms

A Swellex / Split Set bolt in Phase2 can fail in two modes:

• In tension, if the Tensile Capacity is exceeded.

• In shear, if the Bond Strength is exceeded.

For more information regarding the bolt models and their numerical implementation in Phase2, see the Bolt Formulation document in the Theory section.

The following properties define a Swellex / Split Set bolt in Phase2.

Tensile Capacity

This is the maximum tensile (axial) force which the bolt is capable of sustaining. NOTE:

• The Tensile Capacity option is only enabled, if the Bolt Model = Plastic (see below). If the Bolt Model = Elastic, then by definition the bolt behaves in an elastic manner only, and tensile (and shear) capacity (strength) is not considered, and is not applicable.

• Tensile Capacity is equal to the (Yield Stress of the steel) * (Tributary Area)

Residual Tensile Capacity

The Residual Tensile Capacity option will only be enabled if the Bolt Model = Plastic. (It is not applicable if the Bolt Model = Elastic). See below for information about the Bolt Model.

If the axial load in a bolt reaches the (peak) Tensile Capacity, then the axial capacity of the bolt will thereafter be determined by the Residual Tensile Capacity.

The Residual Tensile Capacity can vary between zero and the peak Tensile Capacity.

Tributary Area

Swellex / Split Set bolts are hollow. The Tributary Area is the effective cross-sectional area of the bolt (i.e. the cross-sectional area of the annulus of steel which makes up the bolt). It is NOT the total cross-sectional area of the bolt (i.e. it does NOT include the hollow area of the bolt). The Tributary Area is used to calculate the axial stiffness of the bolt (see below).

Bolt Modulus

The Bolt Modulus is the Young’s Modulus of the bolt steel. NOTE:

• The Bolt Modulus, Tributary Area and bolt length determine the axial stiffness of a bolt, i.e.

• Axial Stiffness = (Bolt Modulus) * (Tributary Area) / (bolt length)

Bond Strength

This is the maximum shear force capacity of the bolt / rock interface. The Bond Strength is expressed as a FORCE per unit BOLT LENGTH. Note:

• The Bond Strength option is only enabled, if the Bolt Model = Plastic (see below). If the Bolt Model = Elastic, then by definition the bolt behaves in an elastic manner only, and shear (and tensile) capacity (strength) is not considered, and is not applicable.

• Bond Strength can be determined from empirical methods such as pull-out tests.

NOTE: see below for typical values of Bond Strength and Bond Stiffness for Swellex bolts.

Bond Shear Stiffness

This is the shear stiffness of the bolt / rock interface. Note that the units of Shear Stiffness are FORCE / LENGTH / LENGTH. The Shear Stiffness can be thought of as follows:

• On a shear force vs. shear displacement graph, the Shear Stiffness is equal to the slope of the ELASTIC portion of the graph. Remember shear force is expressed as a FORCE / LENGTH therefore the units of the Shear Stiffness are FORCE / LENGTH / LENGTH.

NOTE: see below for typical values of Bond Strength and Bond Stiffness for Swellex bolts.

Out-of-Plane Spacing

This is the spacing between bolts in the out-of-plane direction (i.e. normal to the analysis plane).

Bolt Model

Elastic

If the Bolt Model = Elastic, the bolt will behave in an elastic manner only, and the forces in the bolt will be determined by the Axial and Shear Stiffness. The tensile capacity and bond strength (shear) capacity of the bolt is not considered, and the Tensile Capacity and Bond Strength options will be disabled.

Plastic

If the Bolt Model = Plastic, then the tensile capacity and bond strength (shear) capacity of the bolt is considered. The Tensile Capacity, Residual Tensile Capacity and Bond Strength options will be enabled. If the Tensile Capacity of the bolt is reached, then the Residual Tensile Capacity of the bolt will be in effect. The bolt will thereafter behave in a perfectly plastic manner, and the axial force in the bolt will not vary with further axial displacement. If the Bond Strength of the bolt is reached, then the shear force on the bolt will not vary with further shear displacement.

Face Plates

The Face Plates option allows the user to simulate the effect of face plates used on bolts.

• If the Face Plates checkbox is selected, then the first vertex of each bolt will be "fixed" to the rock mass, allowing the bolt to develop load starting at the face plate.

• If the Face Plates checkbox is NOT selected, then the load at the beginning of the bolt will be zero.

Face Plate Drawing

Bolts with face plates are drawn with a small rectangular icon at the beginning of the bolt, to indicate the presence of the face plate.

Add Bolt option and Face Plates

If you are using the Add Bolt option to add individual bolts to a model, and the bolts have face plates, it is important to note that the face plate is always added to the FIRST vertex of the bolt, when you add bolts to the model.

Add Pull Out Force

The Add Pull Out Force option allows the user to simulate the effect of a pull-out test on a bolt, by applying a tensile force to the beginning of the bolt. To use this option, select the Add Pull Out Force checkbox, and enter the desired value of pull out force. The force will be applied as a tensile load to the first vertex of the bolt.

Pre-Tensioning Force

See the Pre-Tensioning topic for information.

Joint Shear

See the Joint Shear topic for information.

Typical Values for Swellex Bond Strength and Bond Shear Stiffness

The following parameters come from a review of many lab and field tests done throughout different organizations worldwide [Atlas Copco (2006)], and are considered the most representative parameters characterizing bond strength and bond shear stiffness of Swellex bolts.

In hard rock:

In weak rock with a low Young's Modulus, reduce the values to: