Introducing aggregate into grouting material and its influence on load transfer of the rock bolting system

A fully grouted bolt provides greater shear load capacity for transmitting the load from the rock to the bolt, and vice versa. When grout fills irregularities between the bolt and the rock, a keying effect is created to transfer the load to the bolt via shear resistance at the interface and within the grout. Previous research has revealed that the mechanical properties of the grout had a great impact on the load transfer capacity of the rock bolting system. This paper presents a method to enhance the rock bolting strength by introducing metal granules into the grouting material. Experimental results suggest that both the average peak load of pullout tests and the total energy absorption of the system will increase if some metal granules are mixed into the resin.