Abstract

Surface support is a crucial component of the ground support system, especially in rockbursting conditions. However, its role is often underestimated or neglected in the design and evaluation of ground support systems. Surface support is responsible for th e toughness of the ground support system as provided means for interaction between the reinforcement elements such as bolts and cables. Combination of different types of surface support, such as Shotcrete, Fibre Reinforced Shotcrete (FRS), welded mesh, high tensile mesh and straps, can result in significant different response on the ground support system to dynamic loading. This paper summarizes the main findings from several large scale drop tests and underground observations of ground support systems under rockbursting conditions. It also reviews the current methods of assessing the capacity of ground support systems and suggests some ways to improve them by incorporating the influence of surface support