STABILITY OF ROCK SLOPES

Dr. R.S.BANSHTU
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
NIT Hamirpur
It is a common experience that while some slopes are stable at steep angles
and at heights of several metres. Many flat slopes fail at much smaller heights.
This difference is due to the fact that the stability of rock slopes varies with
inclination of discontinuity surface such as joints, faults and bedding planes
with in the rockmass. When these discontinuities are vertical or horizontal,
simple sliding can not take place and slope failure will involve fracture of intact
blocks of rock as well as movement along some of the discontinuities. On the
other hand, when the rockmass contains discontinuity surfaces dipping towards
the slope face at angles of between 30
0
and 70
0
, simple sliding can occur and
the stability of these slopes is significantly lower than those in which only
horizontal and vertical discontinuities are present. Therefore, the orientation of
discontinuities is the most important factor influencing the stability of rock
slopes.




Modes of Failure of Rock Slopes

Hard rock is usually so strong that failure under gravity alone is possible
only if discontinuities permit easy movement of discrete blocks. In
bedded rock, there are many possibilities for block movement along
weakness planes and a large variety of behavioral modes are
exhibited. With an appreciation of the mode of failure, it is possible to
evaluate the probability of failure, and to engineer a remedy if the
degree of risk is unacceptable.
Plane slide
A plane failure is a comparatively rare sight in rock slopes because it is only
occasionally that all the geometrical conditions required to produce
such a failure occur in an actual slope. In order that plane sliding
should occur on a single plane, the following conditions must be
satisfied.

1. The plane on which sliding occurs
must strike parallel or nearly parallel
to the slope face (20).
2. The failure planes dip must be
smaller than the dip of the slope
face.
3. The dip of the failure plane must be
greater than the angle of friction of
this plane.
4. Failure can occur on a plane
passing through the convex nose
of a slope.
Step-path mode of Failure

A failure path comprised of the combination
of two fracture sets, one flat and one
steep, both of which strike nearly
parallel to the slope face. The flatter
set (known as the master joint set)
must be daylighted in the face, while
the steeper set (known as the cross
joint set) provides step-ups to form a
quasi-continuous step-path failure
path.



Wedge Failure

A tetrahedral wedge of rock formed by
the intersection of two fracture
planes so that potential sliding
occurs along the day lighted
intersection line. To be
kinematically viable, such a wedge
must have an intersection line that
falls in between the dip directions
of the two planes and parallel (or
nearly parallel) to the dip direction
of the slope face.

Toppling Failure

A steeply dipping
fracture set
strikes nearly
parallel to the
slope face and
forms tall slabs
that peel away
from the slope.


Circular Failure

In case of soil, the failure surface is free to find the
line of least resistance through the slope. It has
been observed that failure in soils takes the form
of a circle and most of stability theories are
based upon this criteria.

Buckling Mode of Failure


Tallus Deposit Mode of Failure

This mode of failure take
place during rainy season
when water table goes
up during long spell of
rain, Rock slopes of tallus
deposit give a warning
several years ago it fall.
Example: Tilting of trees on
such slopes

Main types of slope failure and stereo plots of structural
conditions likely to give rise to these failures (Hoek & Bray, 1981 )
Cont

Plane Wedge failure Analysis
The geometry of the slope considered in the
analysis is as shown in the figure.
Case-1: Aslope having a tension crack in its
upper surface
Case-2: A slope with a tension crack in its face.
The transition from one case to another occurs
when the tension crack coincides with the slope
crest i.e. when

( )
) ( ). ( 1 p f Tan Cot
H
Z
=
Assumptions
1. Both sliding surface and tension crack strike parallel to the
slope surface
2. The tension crack is vertical and is filled with water to a depth
Z
w
.
3. Water enters the sliding surface along the base of the tension
crack and seeps along the sliding surfaces escaping at
atmospheric pressure where the sliding surface daylights the
slope face.
4. The forces W, U and V all act through the centroid of the
sliding mass. In other words, it is assumed that there are no
moments which would tend to cause rotation of the block and
hence failure is by sliding only.
5. The shear strength of the sliding surface is defined by
t=c+o.tan|.
6. A slice of unit thickness is considered and it is assumed that
release surfaces are present so that there is no resistance to
sliding at the lateral boundaries of the failure.

1. To calculate depth of critical tension crack,
the equation of factor of safety has to be
minimised with respect to Z.


From experience it has been found Z2H/3
2. The value of Zw = 0 (Arid-Scanty Rain)
= Z/2(Medium range)
= Z (Heavy rainfall area)


|
|
.
|

\
|
= ) ( ). ( 1 p f Tan Cot
H
Z

Step:1 and 2
The value of o
h
is selected as follow
o
h
Zone
0.01 1
0.02 2
0.04 3
0.05 4
0.08 5
0.10 for blasting
Step:3

( )
|
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
=
=
=
=
2
2 2
.
1 ) ( ) (
2
) ( . . ) ( . . ) ( . .
2
1
BDC). - AFE - (AFC of Area
BDC). - (ACE of Area
ABDE. of Area W
Wedge Sliding of Weight
H
Z
Cot Cot
H
Cot Z Z Cot H H Cot H H
p f
p f p

Step:4
Step:5
Water force in Tension Crack

2
. .
2
1
w w Z V =
Step:6
Uplift force on failure surface
) sec( ). .( .
2
1
) sec( ). (
p w w
p
Co Z H Z U
Co Z H AB

=
=
Step:7
) ( N
Force Normal Effective
) ( ). . ( ) ( .
-
U N
Sin V W Cos W N p h p
=
+ = o
) ( ). . ( ) ( .
surafce failure along Force Tangential
p h p Cos V W Sin W T o + + =
Normal force on failure surface
Step:8
Step:9
) ( log .
Where
) .Tan( N .AB C S
Joint the along Mobilised Strength Shear
10 j
j j
o
| |
|
JCS
JRC r + =
+ =

Step:10
AB
N

= o
surafce failure on Pressure Normal
Step:11
1.0 F
1.2 F
T
S
F
Safety of Factor
d
s
>
>
=
Reinforced Slopes Factor of Safety
If for the moment, it is assumed that the frictional
and cohesive strengths of a rock surface are known
with a high degree of precision and the water
pressure have been measured by means of
piezometers, one may be led to believe that a high
degree of confidence can be attached to the
calculated driving and resisting forces and hence the
factor of safety of the slope while this confidence
would be justified in the case of an unreinforced
slope, that same could not be said of a reinforced
slope.
This is because the response of the various elements to
displacement in the slope is not the same. The
development of the full frictional strength, due to | ,
and the cohesive strength c require a finite
displacement on the sliding surface and this
displacement may be incompatible with that imposed
by the application of the cable tension R. Similarly
water pressures in the fissures are sensitive to
displacement and may increase or decrease
depending upon the manner in which the cables are
installed. Consequently it can not be assumed that the
cable tension R, the frictional strength due to |, the
cohesive strength c and the various water pressures
are all fully mobilised at the same time.
Londe suggested that instead of using a single factor of
safety to define the stability of the slope, different
factors of safety should be used depending upon the
degree of confidence which the designer has in the
particular parameter being considered. High factors of
safety can be applied to ill-defined parameters while
low factors of safety can be used for those quantities
which are known with a greater degree of precision.
F
c
= 1.75 for cohesive strength
F
|
= 1.2 for frictional strength
F
v
=Fu=2.0 for water pressures
F
w
=1 for weights and forces
So at the limiting equilibrium
STEP:12
) s.Cos(
) Z).Sin( - (H
N
) Sin(
) Cos(
s. y
or
) Sin(
) Cos(
) s.Cos( ) s.Sin( y
where
y
Z) - (H
N
crack tip upto face slope the of direction
dip the along column a in anchors of Number
- p
p
p
- p
p
p
f f
f
f
u
u
u
u
u
u

+
+
=
+
+
=
+
+
+ =
=
1.5) (Generally safety of Factor f
steel bolt the of strength Yield
mm) 40 to mm (25 bolt anchor of dia
4.f
d
P
where
) R.b.Cos(
) Z).Sin( - (H
. s
or
) s.b.Cos(
) Z).Sin( - (H
. R
N.P b.R
P is le anchor/cab of capacity Let the
s
y
s
y
2
- p
p
- p
p
= =
=
=
=
+
+
=
+
+
=
=
o
o t
u
u
u
u
d
P
P
f
f
Design of Rock Bolts General
Practice
) b.Sin(
Z) - (H
N
p
=
computed is b of value the equation, above the from
) .Sin( b
Z).P - (H
R
b
N.P
R
P is le anchor/cab of capacity Let the
2
f
=
=
It has been found the value of s is
generally in the range of 1.5-3.0 m.
Also from experience it is found that
the fixed anchor length = 100 d or 60
d in case of plain or deformed bars
respectively.
Step:13
Length of Bolt
The length of the bolt is given by
the following expression.
The length of r
th
bolt
by weight % 0.05 genrally
grip better for grout cement in the added is
powder) (Aluminium agents expanding the times Some
rock poor for very 6m FAL
rock fair for 4m FAL
rock good for 3m FAL
rock good for very 2m FAL
experience From
FAL
) Cos(
) Sin(
. . l
p - f
=
=
=
=
+ =
u

r s r
Step:14
Dia of Drill Hole
It is recommended that the dia of the anchor used for rock bolting should not
be less than 40 mm ( 25 mm to 40 mm available)
Dia of drill hole = Dia of anchor + 40 mm
m) 1.0 to (0.5 genrally B
rock of capacity bearing Allowable Q
capacity anchor P wher
p
a
=
=
=
a
p
Q
P
B
Step: 15
Design of base plate

Step:16
Check for base plate
The angle between normal to the slope and
cable anchor should be kept less than



Generally dip of bars is about 10
0
so that mortar
does not flow out.
|
|

F
Tan
Tan
j
f
) (
) 90 ( s
|
|
F
j
Step:17
Optimum Orientation of Rock Bolts
To obtain maximum anchor capacity the u
should be so provided that is made equal to
90-|
j
.
Wedge Failure Analysis
The previous topic was concerned with
slope failure resulting from sliding
on a single planar surface dipping
into the excavation, and striking
parallel or nearly parallel to the
slope face. It was stated that the
plane failure analysis is valid if the
strike of the failure plane is within
20 of the strike of the slope face.
This topic is concerned with the
failure of slopes containing
discontinuities striking obliquely to
the slope face where sliding of a
wedge of rock takes place along the
line of intersection of two such
planes.

General Conditions for Wedge Failure

Two planes will always
intersect in a line.
The plunge of the line of
intersection must be
flatter than the dip of the
face, and steeper than
the average friction
angle of the two slide
planes, that is fi > i >
.
The line of intersection
must dip in a direction
out of the face for sliding
to be feasible.


Analysis of Wedge Failure
The factor of safety of the wedge is defined by assuming that
sliding is resisted only by friction and that the friction angle
is the same for both planes, is given by
) ( .
) ).Tan( N N (
FS
B A
i Sin W
| +
=
Let us consider a plane perpendicular to
BD. Assume that the wedge angle is
.
Equilibrium in horizontal direction
) ........(1 )
2
( . N )
2
.Sin( N
)
2
90 ( . N ) 90
2
.Cos( N
A B
A B
|

|
|

|
= +
+ = +
Sin
Cos
Equilibrium in vertical direction
) ........(2 ) ( . )
2
( . N )
2
.Cos( N -
) ( . )
2
90 ( . N ) 90
2
.Sin( N
A B
A B
i
i
Cos W Cos
Cos W Sin
|

|
|

|
= + +
= + + +
Solving equations 1 and 2
)
2
Sin(
) i).Sin( W.Cos(
N N
) Sin(
)
2
i).Sin( W.Cos(
N
tension means sign ive
) Sin(
)
2
i).Sin( W.Cos(
N
B A
A
B

= +
+
=

=
) ( ).
2
(
) ).Tan( in(
FS
i Tan Sin
S

| |
=
) ( .
) ).Tan( N N (
FS
B A
i Sin W
| +
=
A Special Case
Which indicate that
plane wedge
assumption gives 40
% error, which is
very conservative
value. That is why
3D wedge analysis is
required.

P 3
P
3
FS . 2
) (
) (
FS
Analysis Wedge Plane of case in But
) (
) (
2
90
90
l symmetrica is wedge When the
=
=
=
=
=
D
i
i
D
FS
Tan
Tan
Tan
Tan
FS

|
Circular Failure

Although this course is concerned primarily with
the stability of rock slopes containing well defined
sets of discontinuities, it is also necessary to
design cuts in weak materials such as highly
weathered or closely fractured rock, and rock fills.
In such materials, failure occurs along a surface
that approaches a circular shape , and this topic
is devoted to a discussion on the stability analysis
of these materials.
Dry Cohesionless Soil Slopes
F=Resisting Force/Sliding
Force
Slopes with Steady state Seepage
Special Case
Seepage Parallel to Slope
AC=AB . Cos (|)
AB=AD . Cos (|)
Infinite Slope in Cohesive Soils
l
l = b sec (|)
c/Z = Stability Number
W = b Z
Effective Stress Analysis for Long
Term Stability
Bishop Method of Stability Analysis
Simplified Bishop Method

Resultant of side forces acts horizontally i.e X
n
-X
n+1
= 0 for all
slices. Then eq. (6) reduces to
Apply FoS (F) to restoring shear force
T = [l(c'+ o
N
'tan|')]/F
Sum all vertical forces
W = E[N'coso + [(c'l+ N'tan|')sino]/F]
Solve for N'
Substitute in
( )
o
|
' '
+
'

=
Wsin
tan N l c
FoS
The Bishop Equation
( )
i i
i
i i i i
sin W
M
) tan b u W b c (
F
o
(

|
'
+
'
=

|
.
|

\
|
|
'
o
+ o =
F
tan tan
1 cos M
i
i i
Where
Simplified Bishop Method
Requires iteration
assume initial F, then solve for F
when trial F and determined F are
equal, its a solution
Back Analysis of Slope
The back analysis is carried out of the failed slope or where failure
is likely to take place. As we know that friction angle is easy to
determine but cohesion is very difficult to determine. So we
determine cohesion by assuming FOS in a Bishops equation for
different values of friction angle.
Bishops Method
b
W
h.W
v.W
U

).W' (1 W
)) Cos( .W'
). ) B W(1
v
N
1
N
1
h
o
o o o
|

=
+
+
=
=

(Wsin
tan (cb
FOS
h) ( B U
m
The critical situation is the one when v.W is acting upwards
except when is very small say in clays.
FOS
Tan Tan
Sec
o |
o
.
1
m
+
=
The FOS equation contains FOS on both side, hence use trial and
error to get FOS. Hence assume FOS and and get c (Called
Back Analysis)

+
=
N
1
N
1
). ) B
.
bm
tan W.(1- - ) h.W'.Cos( ) (WCos(
c
N
1
m
FOS
| o o o
Now various slip circles are possible. Hence various values of Cohesion are
to be calculated and the maximum value is to be picked up. We take this
maximum value of cohesion and back calculate FOS and we see that FOS
is same.
Stability Charts for Circular Failure
In rocks the failure of slopes is controlled by geological
features such as bedding planes, joints etc. Under
these conditions, the failure path is defined but one or
more of the discontinuities, but incase of a soil, a
strongly defined structural pattern no longer exists and
the failure surface is free to find the line of least
resistance through the slope. The condition under
which circular failure will occur arise when the
individual particles in a soil or rock mass are very small
as compared with the size of the slope and when these
particles are not interlocked as a result of their shape.
Assumptions in Derivation of
Circular failure Charts
1. The material forming the slope is assumed to be homogeneous.
2. The shear strength of the material is given =c+.tan().
3. Failure is assumed to occur on a circular failure surface which passes through
the toe of the slope.
4. A vertical tension crack is assumed to occur in the upper surface or in the face
of the slope.
5. The locations of tension crack and of the failure surface are such that the
factor of safety of the slope is a minimum for the slope geometry and ground
water conditions considered.
6. A range of ground water conditions varying from a dry slope to a fully saturated
slope under heavy recharge are considered in the analysis.

Ground Water Flow Conditions
Use of Charts
1. Decide upon the ground water conditions
which are believed to exist in the slope and
choose the chart which is closest to these
conditions.
2. Calculate the value of c/y.H.tan()
and find this value on the outer circular
scale of the chart.
3. Follow the radial line from the value found
in step(2) to its intersection with the curve
which corresponds to the slope angle
under consideration.
4. Find the value of Tan()/FS or c/y.H.FS
depending upon which is more convenient
and calculate the factor of safety.

Circular Chart Number 1 for Fully
drained Slope
Circular Chart Number 2
Circular Chart Number 3
Circular Chart Number 4
Circular Chart Number 5
Rock Bolts have found increasing use in replacing or
supplementing conventional steel supports. The earlier
concept of the rock bolt as a device to Pin or Nail loose
blocks/slabs to the sounder rock behind there is no more
valid except in supporting against structurally controlled
failures. To support the excavation against stress
induced mode of failure, rock bolts are used as rock
reinforcement to preserve the inherent strength of rock
formations. The reinforcement helps in increasing the
shear resistance along planes of weakness.
Introduction to rock bolting

Types of Rock Bolts
Wooden Dowels
Re-Usable full length mechanical anchor
Friction anchor or split set
Perfo bolt system for anchoring and grouting dowels
Un tensioned grouted dowel
Slotted bolt and wedge
Mechanically anchored, tensioned and grouted rock bolts
Tensioned rock bolt with grouted anchor
Resin grouted, tensioned threaded bar

Wooden Dowels
Wooden dowels were used to support
laminated coal mine roofs in Britain
where dry wood dowels were placed
in holes with minimum clearance.
The moisture in the rock caused the
wood to swell and this resulted in a
radial force which generated
frictional resistance to sliding of the
rock on the wood.
Advantage: Inexpensive and simple to
manufacture. In metal mines they
donot contaminate the ore and donot
damage conveyor belts.
Disadvantage: Very weak and can only be
used for very light support
pressures. Cannot be tensioned and
hence must be installed close to
face.
Re-usable Full Length Mechanical Anchor
These anchor bolts were developed for use in coal mines. The
assembly is inserted into a drill hole with the anchor collapsed
i.e. In intimate contact with the ramps. When the nut is tightened
against the washer, the bolt is displaced relative to the anchor
which is forced up the ramps and hence expands. Loosening the
nut and hammering on the end of the bolt will reverse the
process and allow the anchor to collapse. This gives the
possibility of reusing the anchor provided that it is not damaged
or too severely rusted.
Advantage: Anchors along the entire length of the hole and
hence gives a stress distribution similar to that of a ground
dowell. Can be collapsed and reused if it is no longer required in
a particular area. This feature is useful in coal mining where very
short term support is required adjacent to an advancing face
which is later allowed to collapse.
Disadvantage: Expensive to manufacture. Can only be used as
an untensioned support member and hence must be installed
close to an advancing face. Only suitable for short term support
since it can not be grouted and hence can not be protected
against rusting.

Friction Anchor or Split Set
Friction anchored rock bolts represent the most recent development
in rock reinforcement technique. This kind of rock bolts derive
their strength by virtue of frictional resistance to sliding
between rock surface and the bolt steel generated under the
action of radial force against the bore hole wall over the length
of the bolt. The split set rockbolts use split tube of 38 mm dia
inserted in a 35 mm dia bore hole.
Advantage: Simple and quick to install and claimed to be cheaper
than a grouted dowel of similar capacity.
Disadvantage: Can not be tensioned and hence is activated by
movement in the rock in the same way as a grouted dowel. Its
support action is similar to that of an untensioned dowel and
hence it must be installed very close to a face. The drill hole
diameter is critical and most failures during installation occur
because the hole is either too small or too large. In some
applications, rusting has occurred very rapidly and has proved
to be a problem where long term support is required. The
device can not be grouted.
Perfo Bolt System for Anchoring and
Grouting Dowels
These were developed in Scandinavia for
grouting and anchoring dowels in
bore holes. Perforated half tubes are
packed with mortar and the halves
are then wired together and inserted
in the drill hole. The mortar is
extruded when the dowel is pushed
down the center of the tube.
Advantage: Simple and effective if
recommended sizes are strictly
adhered to. Short length can be
used to form anchor for tensioned
bolt.
Disadvantage: Relatively expensive
compared with grouted dowels.
Reinforcing
bar
Drill hole dia Sleeve
dia
19 mm 32 mm 27 mm
25 mm 38 mm 32 mm
29 mm 44 mm 38 mm
32 mm 51 mm 44 mm
35 mm 57 mm 51 mm
Untensioned Grouted Dowel
These were developed as an inexpensive
alternative to the Perfo Bolt system
where use of untensioned dowels is
appropriate. A thick grout is pumped into
the drill hole by means of a simple hand
pump or a mono pump. The dowel is
pushed into the grout. For upholes, the
dowel is sometimes held in place by a
small wooden or steel wedge inserted
into the collar of the hole. A face plate
and nut can be added if required
although for very light support, a plain
dowel is sometimes used.
Advantage: Simple and inexpensive.
Disadvantage: Cannot be tensioned and hence
must be installed before significant
deformation of the rockmass has taken
place.
Slotted Bolt and Wedge
These are probably the earliest type of mechanically
anchored rock bolt. Very simple and inexpensive
to manufacture and widely used throughout the
world. The end of the bolt shank is slotted and
the wedge is driven home by pushing the
assembly against the end of the drill hole. The
wedge expands the end of the bolt shank and
anchors it in the rock. There are two bevelled
washers which are used to accommodate an
inclined rock face. The hardened washer is used
when the bolt is tensioned by applying a
measured torque to the nut.
Advantage: Simple and inexpensive. In hard rock it
provides an excellent anchorage and permits
immediate tensioning of the bolt.
Disadvantage: Due to small contact area between the
expanded anchor and the rock, local crushing of
the rock with consequent slip of the anchor can
occur when the intact rock strength is less than
about 10 MPa.
Mechanically Anchored, Tensioned
and Grouted Rock Bolt
Expansion shell mechanical anchors were developed to provide
more reliable anchorage in a wider range of rock conditions
than that for which a slotted bolt and wedge system can be
used. The expansion shell anchor is one of a large number
of different types, all of which operate in the same way. A
wedge, attached to the bolt shank, is pulled into a conical
anchor shell forcing it to expand against the drill hole walls.
The rubber grout seal is used to centre the bolt in the hole
and to seal the collar of the hole against grout leakage.
Grout injection is stopped when grout flows from the return
tube.
Advantage: Bolt can be tensioned after installation and grouted at a
later stage when short term movements have ceased. Very
reliable anchorage in good rock and high bolt loads can be
achieved.
Disadvantage: Relative expensive. Correct installation requires
skilled workman and close supervision. Grout tubes are
frequently damaged during installation and check by
pumping clean water before grouting is essential.
Tensioned Rock Bolt with Grouted
Anchor
Grouted anchors have the advantage that
they can be used in very poor
quality rockmasses. To inject grout,
inject dry sand/cement mixture
through one pipe and a measured
water quantity through a second
pipe, with drawing both pipes as the
anchor is formed.
Advantage: Inexpensive system with good
anchorage characteristics in a wide
range of rock conditions.
Disadvantage: Care required to form good
anchor. Bolt can not be tensioned
until grout has set. Stiffness of bolt
and bearing plate may be too low for
some applications.
Resin Grouted, Tensioned Threaded bar
The most sophisticated rock bolt system currently in use,
combines most of the advantages of other bolt system.
Resin and a catalyst are contained in plastic Sausages,
the catalyst being separated in a glass or plastic container
in the resin. These capsules are pushed into the hole with
a loading stick and the bar is then inserted. Rotation of
the bar during insertion breaks the plastic containers and
mixes the resin and catalyst. A fast setting resin capsule
is inserted first and forms a strong anchor which permits
tensioning of the bolt a few minutes after mixing. Slow
setting resin then grouts the remainder of the bar. The
bar used has a very coarse rolled threaded which gives
good bonding and allows the length of the installation to
be adjusted very easily.
Advantage: Very convenient and simple to use. Very high
strength anchors can be formed in rock of poor quality.
Disadvantage: Resins are expensive and not suitable for hot
climates.
Functions of Rock Bolts
1. Rock bolts strengthen the rock mass by preventing
the detachment of loose blocks.
2. Rock bolts increase the shear resistance of
discontinuities.
3. They provide reinforced zone with in the rock mass
which maintains the integrity of the excavated space.
4. They provide stiffness to minimise the dilation of
discontinuities.
Cable Anchorage
The purpose of cable anchorage is also the same as that of rock bolting.
The difference in cable anchorage and rock bolting is that cables have
length much more than the rock bolts. In a rock bolting system,
individual rock bolts are put into the rock at specified spacings. But in
a cable anchorage system, a number of wires in a group form a cable
and the cables are put into the rock mass at the pre-determined
positions. Cable anchorage have been found most suitable in case of
anchoring a foundation subjected to bouyancy. Specially when the
construction of a very high building takes place over reclaimed land
under sea. The foundation of the structure is anchored to a rock mass
which exists under a great depth below the sea. Cable anchorages
have been found suitable to support excavations, replacing retaining
walls, strutting and timbering system which reduce the working space.
Design of Rock Bolts
When an excavations or an opening is made in the rock
mass, the stresses around the excavation or opening
is relaxed which cause crack formation around the
opening and spalling. Therefore, to maintain the initial
state in the rock mass, rock bolts are installed after
making the opening in the rock mass. If the rock
mass, after the opening is made, is found to be in the
disintegrated form, then wire nets are also used at the
surface of the opening before putting the bolts.
Case-1: When the Lamina is in a Suspended Form
Let the length, width, thickness and unit weight
of the lamina to be bolted are l, b, t and . If
the number of bolts per row is n
c
and
number of rows are n
r
.


A suitable dia of the bolt can be taken and the
design load can be compared with its
permissible load. If design load is more than
the permissible load, then either the bolt
diameter can be changed or nr and nc can
be changed to bring the design load with in
a permissible limit.
r c n n
l b t
.
. . .
= w
l
Case-2: When the Lamina is held at the edges
Let Q1, Q2 be the loads per unit length and E1
and E2 the modulii of elasticity and I1 and I2
the moments of inertia of the two beams,
then for deflection 1 and 2.





Where Q is the load on the bolt per unit length
of the opening.
2 2 1 1
2 2 1 1 1 2
2 2
2
1 1
1
2 2
2 2
2
1 1
2 2
1
I E I E
I E Q - I E Q
Q
.I E
Q) (Q
.I E
Q) (Q
.I 24E
) x .(L Q).x (Q
.I 24E
) x .(L Q).x (Q
+
=
=
+

=
+

l
1
2
x
Design Principle for Rock Bolt for Cavity
1. The bolt length should be to 1/3 of the span or dia of cavity.
2. Bolts are pretensioned to exert an over all normal stress on the surface of the opening which
is equal to desired support pressure as obtained from Barton Theory.

3. Clear spacing between base plates of the bolt should not greater than 3 times the average
fracture spacing otherwise wire/welded mesh should be used.
4. C/C spacing must be less than bolt length.
5. Bolt should be installed in a regular pattern.
6. Spot bolting should be provided only in addition to regular bolting where rock is quite weak.
7. Bolts should be oriented with respect to joint planes so that max shearing resistance is
developed along the joints.
8. Bolting should be started as early as possible with in bridge action period and close to the
excavated face.

2
roof.s P = P
Design of Cable Anchors
1. The length of the cable anchor should go beyond the tension
zone.
2. Pretension in the cable should be equal to product of ultimate
support pressure and square of spacing of cable anchors.
3. The spacing of cable anchor should be in the range of 1 to 2
m.
4. The length of the cable should be




5. If the length of the cable anchor less than 7 m, grouted anchor
bar should be used.
6. The size of base plate should be 30 x 30 cm or more fro rock
burst conditions.


) Wall (
ESR
0.35h
l
(Roof)
4 . 0
=
=
ESR
B
h