M.Tech. / The field of study is of a multidisciplinary nature and involves aspects of Mechanical Engineering Design, Materials Technology and Rock Mechanics. When rock bursts occur the rock mass moves at high velocities and the resulting impulsive load often leads to brittle fracture of fully grouted steel bars. It was therefore decided to develop a new product that would combine the strength of steel and the yielding ability of polyurethane. Such a product is envisaged to play an important role in the correct design of tunnel support. In optimizing the design of a polyurethane and steel combination, three important parameters have to be optimized simultaneously...