Reinforcement design of blocky rock masses with cable bolts in Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (DDA) algorithm

Modelling cable bolts as a means of reinforcement in rock masses has developed during last two decades. However a complete integration between a proper cable element model and software with the capability to model discontinuities of the rock mass has not been achieved. In this paper such an attempt is demonstrated and the capabilities of such an algorithm are demonstrated through some examples. By this tool, a blocky rock mass can be reinforced with fully grouted cable bolts with any length and load distribution along the cable can be determined as a function of rock mass movement. For the first time, the constraining effect of cable reinforcement in a true discontinuous rock mass can be seen. The effect of different cement grout properties or stress changes in the rock mass or different rock mass displacement profiles can be studied on the load distribution along the cable hence the reinforcement pattern can be designed optimally.