Stress wave propagation in supporting bolts: A test for bolt support quality

A test method for the non-destructive determination of bolt length, anchoring length, and bolt body force is described. This addresses the problems of low accuracy, limited number of data, and untimely warning signs encountered with existing test methods. Numerical simulations of the bolt, resin, and rock system show that the length accuracy when using the velocity wave is lower than when using the acceleration wave. It is accepted practice to use the acceleration wave for length tests because of improved signal to noise ratios of the waveforms. Laboratory and in situ underground tests showed that the precision of the measurements meets field requirements. Using this method the anchor properties of each single bolt and, thus, the safety of the entire roadway support may be evaluated.