Small Block Model Tests for the Behaviour of a Blocky Rock Mass Under a Concentrated Rock Anchor Load

Abstract Rock anchors are used to stabilise large-scale infrastructure such as the foundations of high buildings or road cuts, and their failure could lead severe economic social consequences. A rock anchor can fail in one more following four modes; breakage tendon steel, tendon-grout bond failure, grout-rock mass failure. In current design, knowledge for first two modes is satisfactorily known relatively easy test. The scientific background last still has a potential improvement further development design criteria needed. To help fill this gap, series block model tests were conducted on small-scale test apparatus evaluate load capacity blocky under load. Digital image correlation (DIC) was monitor full-field displacements models. showed that arches formed layers transferred side frames through these arches. increased with number confinement. observed effect confinement also captured numerical using UDEC software. DIC monitoring identical along vertical line. At given depth, decrease distance centre line anchor.