Fibre reinforced shotcrete (FRS) is used in many underground applications from low stress friable ground to deep level hard rock mines. It can be subjected to harsh conditions, including very high static stresses, high temperatures and dynamic loading. When designing a surface support system, it is important to understand how the system behaves and the mechanism of loading to which that shotcrete lining support may be subjected.
Shotcrete linings require a rotation capacity in order to follow ground movements while the arching effect in the surrounding rock mass develops. The fibre reinforcement within the shotcrete overcomes the brittleness of concrete and provides the necessary ductility after the shotcrete cracks, to prevent a sudden failure.
When evaluating fibre reinforced shotcrete it is very important to use a test methodology that is well representative of the loading mechanism and reflects the full capabilities of the fibre.
Barchip outlines current industry best practice, and the principles that dictate them in Barchip Technical Note: Best Practice for Shortcrete Testing – Fibre Reinforced Shotcrete.
Download a copy here to find out more!