Rock bolt research off the ground
GEOTECHNICAL engineering expert, educator and researcher Dr Ali Mirzaghorbanali from the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) has embarked on a two-year-long research project to improve mine safety.
Dr Mirzaghorbanali formed part of a multi-university collaboration with Professor Naj Aziz (University of Wollongong) and Professor Paul Hagan (UNSW) to increase safety in mining operations via rock bolts for stabilising rock excavations.
Funded by the Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP), Dr Mirzaghorbanali and his colleagues planned to develop a modelling approach for more effective application of cable bolts in different ground conditions.
The research collaboration would enhance mine safety, increase productivity and reduce costs through fit-for-purpose designs.
“We are aiming to create a comprehensive computer based model to simulate various features of coal mining support systems,” Dr Mirzaghorbanali said.
“However, there is a need to further understand cable bolt performance in the laboratory and field as well as development of advanced computer based numerical codes.”
The project would focus on the function of pretensioning and shear displacement of cable bolts in ground support and how ground and stress conditions impact the performance of support systems.
The team would also establish an Australia-wide database on the cases of cable bolt failures and complete back analysis using numerical modelling.