Optimal Rock Bolt Installation Design Based on 3D Rock Stress Distribution and Stereography Coupled Analysis

The position determination for rock bolt support design based on rock stress distribution is important in ensuring full mobilization of rock bolt tensions during excavation process. The monitoring of the progressive rock stress variation in magnitude and orientation can play an important role in optimal installation of rock bolt. The aim of this paper is to determine the optimal positions for rock bolt installation by computing the progressive directional variation of rock stresses and plot the stress distribution in a two-dimensional stereographic projection to capture the stress transformation during excavation process. Finally, an algorithm based on stress transformation determination for optimal rock bolt installation is proposed.