Cable support guidelines for underground hard rock mine operations

The objective of this thesis is to expand upon the existing database of cable support practice, and develop revised design criteria for the support of underground openings. A new empirical database of 46 supported case histories was assembled from a six month field study,involving visits to 13 mines in Western Canada, the United States, and Ireland. A comprehensive review of current cable support theory, practice and design is presented. A statistical methodology is introduced to define zones of stability from an empirically collected database. Existing guidelines for the design of underground support are reviewed and calibrated. Current design criteria for cable support are often based on an even distribution of bolts over the supported surface. The point anchor approach involves the use of a high concentration of cables, installed into large open stope hanging walls from sublevel access drifts. This thesis proposes revised cable design guidelines for even distributions in open stope backs, and develops an approach for the point anchor design of hanging wall surfaces.