Full scale field trials, carried out during the construction of the Penmaenbach Tunnel in North Wales, have shown that two-speed resin bonded rock bolts are resilient to close proximity blasting. Fully grouted 6m long rock bolts, installed within 0.7m of the tunnel face, have shown no significant signs of distress or failure. Instantaneous loads of up to 40% of the characteristic strength of the bolt were observed together with average residual load losses of 5% of the working load, which compares favourably with the acceptable tolerance of 10% working load stipulated by current practice. Analysis has also shown that rock bolts with low prestress sustain greater vibrations and proportionately higher dynamic load changes during blasting. However, bolts with relatively high prestress loads sustain greater induced loads. Empirical relations have been established to describe rock bolt behaviour in terms of induced vibration and scaled distance. In particular, a predictive equation relating dynamic load changes in the experimental rock bolts to scaled distance, is presented. Calculations based on approximate bolting costs have indicated that cost savings of up to 38% of the total bolting cost could have been effected if the results of this work had been implemented at the design stage. Physical modelling work has confirmed that the distribution of loads in the fixed anchor of a resin bonded bolt are non-linear when both static and impulsive loads are applied to the bolt head. Corroboration of the field results has also been established with respect to the significant influence of initial prestress load on dynamic load change. Complementary finite element modelling work has successfully predicted fixed anchor load distributions under static and dynamic loading conditions. Attempts to establish a detailed relation between distance from blast, magnitude of charge and change in residual load, for low to medium capacity rock anchorages on the West Portal of the tunnel, were thwarted by the poor performance of instrumentation with respect to temperature sensitivity. However, a simplistic approach to analysis has enabled the establishment of a tentative predictive relationship.

No description available.

[pt] A pesquisa foi motivada pelo fato de, em diversas Companhias Aéreas, ocorrer fratura nos parafusos que fixam os semi-cubos das rodas dos trens de pousos dos Boeing 747. A despeito da especificação de vida infinita preconizada pelo fabricante, a presente investigação, realizada com parafusos disponíveis no Centro de Manutenção (CEMAN) da VARIG, revelou fratura prematura, cuja causa é atribuída à inadequação do projeto. Com base nesta dissertação, foi realizado um estudo de fadiga dos parafusos e recomendações técnicas são apresentadas para evitar a fratura prematura. A sistemática do processo mecânico de manutenção dos parafusos pode contribuir positiva ou negativamente à vida destes. Portanto, complementando o estudo da fadiga dos parafusos, apresentam-se reflexões da prática da Qualidade Total como estratégia de otimização e racionalização do processo mecânico de manutenção dos parafusos, normalmente utilizados no CEMAN. / [en] This research was motivated by a problem: the fracture of the bolt connectors of the half-wheels of the landing gear of the 747 Boeing, a problem many airlines have to face and solve. In spite of the manufactor s claiming infinite life for the bolts, present study, held with the bolts avaliable at CEMAN (Centro de Manutenção da VARIG), detected premature fracture of the bolts, the cause of which seems to be due to the design of the bolts itself. A study of bolt fatigue was undertaken based on this evidence. Moreover, technical recommendations are presented so as to avoid early bolt failure. The way the mechanical bolt maintenance process is done can contribute to its life span either negatively or positively. Therefore, as a complement to the study of bolt fatigue, reflections on the Total Quality practice are presented. These reflections deal with the optimization and the racionalization strategy of the mechanical bolt maintenance process commonly used at CEMAN.

Computer simulations are widely used in the truck industry in order to provide assistance in the product development. Bolt joints are common in trucks. A bolt fracture usually has a great influence on how a truck structure will behave in a crash. Therefore, when simulating truck crashes it is important to be able to predict when bolt fracture occurs. A material model for 10.9 bolts has been calibrated and validated by using the finite element software LS-DYNA. The material model consists of a failure strain surface, which depends on the triaxiality, Lode parameter and the element size. In this thesis, the calibrated material model is referred to as the bolt model. A good agreement to predict the force at fracture in bolts between simulation model results and physical test results has been obtained. Still, further validation is needed to evaluate the bolt model completely.

A rock bolt installed in field has only one short exposed end on the rock surface. This condition has posed challenges in field instrumentation and made it difficult to use the ultrasonic guided wave method for rock bolt monitoring. In rock bolt laboratory tests using ultrasonic guided waves, the input and receiving transducers are typically installed at the two exposed ends of a bolt. This is suitable to laboratory conditions but not practical in the field because one of the ends of a rock bolt is embedded in the rock mass. A method needs to be found to install the receiving transducer at a suitable location in the field for receiving valid wave data. In this thesis, a practical approach is proposed for conducting field tests with the installation of the receiving transducer on the grout surface near the exposed end of the bolt. The effects of the installation location of the receiving transducer are studied with numerical modeling. Experiments are conducted to verify the numerical modeling results. The results indicate that the data obtained from the receiving transducer installed on the grout surface at a proper location are representative and can be analyzed through the established correlations to determine the required parameters. Previous researches have mostly focused on the feasibility of the ultrasonic guided wave method for rock bolt tests and on the behavior of ultrasonic guided waves of fully grouted rock bolts in laboratory conditions. No further study has been performed to identify the grout defects in grouted rock bolts. Adequate understanding of the behaviour of ultrasonic guided waves in rock bolts with defects is therefore prerequisite for this method to be applied in practice. This thesis investigates the effects of some typical defects (e.g., an insufficient rebar length, a missing grout at the ground end, and a void in grout) in grouted rock bolts using the developed field measurement method and numerical modeling. The results are verified by laboratory tests using the equipment set-up established in this research. The results indicate that it is practically possible to identify those grout defects using ultrasonic guided waves.

For testing of OTR (Off-The-Road) tires for dump trucks during development, radial loads are applied between the tested tire and a rotating roller drum by using a parallel kinematic wheel guide unit. Additional lateral loads are created by setting a slip angle. The bolt connection between rim and test bench axle must be able to transmit the occurring forces and moments fatigue endurable. Three different procedures for evaluating the bolt connection are compared: Purely analytical evaluation as well as manual and automated evaluation of FEA results. Thereby the frictional connection in the joint and the bending moments in the bolts, resulting from elastic deformation of the components, are identified as the most critical factors. It is shown how these factors are considered in the individual methods and what causes differences in the calculation results. Using various optimization approaches, the bolt connection is designed for fatigue strength. / Zur entwicklungsbegleitenden Erprobung von OTR (Off-The-Road) Reifen für Muldenkipper werden an einem Prüfstand mittels einer parallelkinematischen Radführungseinheit Radialkräfte zwischen dem zu prüfenden Reifen und einer rotierenden Laufrolle aufgebracht. Durch Einstellung eines Schräglaufwinkels entstehen zusätzlich Seitenführungskräfte. Der Schraubverband zwischen Radfelge und Prüfstandsachse muss die auftretenden Kräfte und Momente dauerfest übertragen können. Es werden drei verschiedene Vorgehensweisen zur Bewertung des Schraubverbands gegenübergestellt: Rein analytische Auswertung sowie manuelle und automatisierte Auswertung von FE-Ergebnissen. Dabei werden der Reibschluss in der Trennfuge sowie Biegemomente in der Schraube, resultierend aus der elastischen Verformung der Bauteile, als die kritischsten Faktoren identifiziert. Es wird gezeigt, wie diese Größen in den einzelnen Verfahren berücksichtigt werden und worauf Unterschiede in den Berechnungsergebnissen zurückzuführen sind. Unter Anwendung verschiedener Optimierungsansätze wird der Schraubverband auf Dauerfestigkeit ausgelegt.

A steel frame structure of a few storey building is considered in European project FRAMEUP. Each column of the building is constructed from steel profiles connected by column-to-column connection, called column splice. In FRAMEUP project new type of column splice connection is designed to facilitate assembly. This connection consists of a plate, called finger plate with characteristic shape of holes, called long open slotted holes. A column splice with long open holes is a type of friction connection, where finger plate transfer load between bottom of one column and top of a second part and preloaded bolts are used to clamp segments together. In this work, the behaviour of the connection is investigated. Moreover, general information about column splices, friction connection and loss of pretension are introduced in literature review. A recommendations, for the preloaded bolts are investigated in accordance with European standard EN 1993-1-8. An experimental static compression tests are performed in order to observe the real behaviour of the column splice with long open slotted holes. Several number of numerical tests are performed to predict behaviour of the connection by use of Abaqus software. The Numerical model is validated against experimental results. Further tests are performed in order to check an influence of other important factors on the behaviour of connection system. An influence of connection geometry i.e. filler plate thickness, characteristic of the surface and the material properties are analyzed. The variation of bolt forces as well as slip factor and reduction factor ks are investigated. Finally, experimental test and finite element method analysis are discussed and conclusion are given. / <p>Validerat; 20140913 (global_studentproject_submitter)</p>

Sophisticated design techniques such as partially restrained connections need detail information on the load-deformation response of bolted connections. The behavior of single bolt, single shear connections are studied. Seventy tests with different configurations were conducted to evaluate their failure mechanisms and load-deformation characteristics. Comparisons to previous study were made. A new analytical model for the determination of load-deformation response of bolted connections was presented as well as a new Unified Design Curves approach for design purposes. It has been proven that this generalized method can be used efficiently. / Master of Science

Bolted moment end-plate connections are extremely popular in the metal building industry due to economics and construction ease, yet have proven to be quite complicated from the analysis and design standpoint. Past research has shown that the design of these connections is controlled by either the strength of the end-plate, determined by yield-line analysis, or the strength of the bolts, determined by the semi-empirical Kennedy method. The calculations involved in the Kennedy bolt analysis incorporate prying action, yet are complex and extensive. This study presents a simplified method for determining the ultimate strength of moment end-plate connections. Classic yield-line analysis is used to determine the connection capacity based on end-plate strength, and a simplified version of the Kennedy method is used to predict the connection capacity based on bolt strength with prying action. Assumptions are made that substantially reduce the calculations involved in the bolt analysis. The simplified design procedure is verified by comparison with the results of 52 previously conducted full-scale connection tests. Design recommendations are made and examples presented. / Master of Science

The resin anchored rock bolt is used extensively in the mining industry to stabilize the roof and prevent it from collapsing. However, there are different defects associated with a resin anchored rock bolt. Examples are partially encapsulated bolts, over-spinned bolts and corroded bolts. These defects reduce the integrity of the roof, and thereby have an effect on the safety and productivity of the mines. The integrity of the rock bolts is a critical issue for the mining industry because of its influence on the safety of mining operations. Different research groups around the world have addressed the problem of determining rock bolt integrity. The most promising technique found in the literature study was based on guided ultrasonic waves (Beard and Lowe, 2003). This study extended the previous work by Beard and Lowe (2003) using guided ultrasonic waves, to investigate damage in more realistic embedded bolts which deviate from pure cylinders. The fundamental L(0,1) mode in its lower frequency range, as suggested by Beard and Lowe was utilized. This was done through the use of finite element model simulations of various defect scenarios, which were compared to experimental measurements on bolts. Defects like loss of resin encapsulation, voids and local corrosion cracks were addressed. The time traces of the different finite element defect scenarios could be directly compared to experimental time traces which distinguish this study from the analytical approach. Some finite element modelling issues were investigated and it was found that the time step is critical if an implicit solver is used, whereas for an explicit solver the element size is critical if accurate answers are needed. Furthermore it was also apparent that the boundary of the mortar has an influence on the results. The method used in the study was to move the boundaries far enough to prevent interference. This however increases the model size and thereby the computer resources required. Axisymmetric defects were modelled using axisymmetric finite elements to reduce the problem size. These models gave results comparable to the measured bolts. Three-dimensional finite element models seemed to be promising for simulating non-axisymmetric defects. It was found that it is not possible to solve large three-dimensional models without energy absorbing boundaries. Axisymmetrical and three dimensional finite element models of a partially encapsulated bolt and a bolt with a local corrosion crack were built. It was possible to detect simulated local corrosion cracks with the finite element models. Clear reflections for the crack in the bolt could be seen. If the bolt, resin and rock are cracked, different reflections will be detected. These different reflections complicated the interpretation of the results. Once the integrity of models such as these has been established, the models could in principle be used to train neural networks for use in commercial equipment. The present study was limited to lower frequencies because of computer resource limitations. Basic principles and modelling issues could however be addressed and it may be expected that these principles could soon be extended to higher frequencies with a new generation of computers. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering / unrestricted