Deformation and Mechanical Properties of a Constant-Friction-Force Energy-Absorbing Bolt

The conventional bolts used in surrounding rock tunnels with large deformation often fail. As a solution to this problem, we developed an extensible bolt with energy-absorbing and constant-friction-force (EACF) characteristics. The EACF bolt mainly comprises a damping device, a hollow threaded bolt, a tightening nut, and a face plate. To reveal its working mechanism, the bolt was tested in terms of its friction, displacement, and energy absorption through a modified tensile test device in a laboratory. The static pull-out test results showed that the axial force-displacement curve of the bolt can be mainly divided into three stages: a conical extrusion stage, an elongation stage, and an elastic failure stage. The EACF bolts exhibited stable energy absorption behaviors when subjected to static loading. The maximum constant friction force could be adjusted by increasing the size and diameter of the straight section of the damping block, and the maximum elongation could be adjusted by increasing the length of the damping cylinder. When the properties of the bolt materials are kept constant, increasing the diameter of the damping block can help achieve a high constant resistance. The proposed EACF bolt has reliable deformation and energy-absorption properties, which ensure its stability when employed in tunnels under the combined action of support and surrounding rocks.

Automatic control system of the mechatronic module

The paper discusses a new approach to improving the accuracy of reproducing the task signal by a precision circular transfer table based on the implementation in the form of a mechatronic module. This design eliminates the disadvantages of the traditional design, such as backlash, failure when fixing the face-plate. The mechatronic module is a gearless connection between the face-plate and the electric motor. The new design required a new approach to the operation of the automatic tracking and stage positioning control system. In the process of stage positioning, thermal deformations occur, and therefore, a feature is the inclusion of an additional automatic control system for the cooling of an executive synchronous electric motor with permanent magnets in the rotor. The paper deals with the issue of the interrelationship between the positioning and tracking systems with the thermal deformation compensation system. Simulation of the operation of two systems has been carried out.

Proposal of Acoustic Liners Combined with Fine-Perforated-Film

This paper deals with a resonant type liner panel with a special surface structure. A typical resonant type liner panel generally consists of a perforated face plate, cells, and a back rigid plate. One of the technical challenges of the acoustic liners applied to the future ultra-high bypass ratio engines is to increase the sound absorption efficiency under grazing conditions because the nacelle, covering of the engine, tends to reduce its length and the lined area. It is known that the sound absorption of the conventional liners tends to deteriorate as grazing flow increases. The authors introduced a special thin acoustically transparent film over the face plate of the acoustic liner. The film, a fine perforated film (FPF), is expected to prevent the interaction of the grazing flow with the opening of the liner face plate. An experimental result with a flow duct rig in JAXA confirmed that the proposed combination of the acoustic liner and the FPF improved the absorption in acoustic energy under grazing conditions, compared with the sole acoustic liner and simple treatment of the FPF.

Failure Characteristics of W Straps Based on Field Observations and Laboratory Tests

W straps are important surface supporting components. When they cooperate properly with inner supporting components, such as rock bolts and cable bolts, they can enhance the supporting effects and bridging bolting units with integrity. Unfortunately, relevant studies regarding this topic have not been extensively reported. In this study, the failure characteristics of the W strap in the field are discussed and different types of distortion are proposed. Followed by the detailed failure patterns of the strap, a possible mechanism and solution are hypothetically put forward, which are then both numerically and experimentally verified. Afterwards, a loading apparatus capable of examining the mechanical behaviours of the strap is designed, which can similarly recreate the loading environment of the strap to the situation in the engineering field. By virtue of the designed loading device, a series of failure patterns of the bolting system are presented, and the distortion degree of the strap is evaluated using a 3D scanning method. The major findings in this study are as follows: 1) a domed face plate is better than a square domed face plate; 2) the existence of a hole beneath the strap in engineering applications can easily induce failure; and 3) cracked but compacted gravel-like roof strata beneath the strap may not cause damage to the strap-bolt supporting system. These ideas present new understandings in terms of the working conditions of W straps in coal mine roadway supporting systems, and the results can be referred to by practitioners.

Design and Mechanical Analysis of a Composite T-Type Connection Structure for Marine Structures

A new T-type connection structure consisting of composite sandwich plates, reinforced cores and adhesive was proposed for the construction of lightweight ships to resolve connection problems between bulkheads and decks of composite lightweight ship superstructures. Based on the design principles and mechanical properties of composite structures, the mechanical behaviour of the structure under a dangerous loading condition was investigated. In addition, the ultimate bearing capacities and damage modes were examined, the results of which demonstrated that the strength of the structure is weak, and that the adhesive and reinforced core between the face plate and the web plate is the primary weakness of the structure. A numerical simulation method was verified using the results of the mechanical tests, and five characteristic paths at the connection area were established. The stresses and displacements along the five paths were calculated using the numerical method. Then, variations in the geometric parameter and the strength and weight of the connection were summarised. The optimal angle of the adhesive bonding area is approximately 60°, which supports the optimal design and practical application of the lightweight ship adhesive-bonded connection structure.

Supporting problems at an island mining face in Shanxi, China. Case study based on field observation

In this paper, field observation is conducted in Fujiaao Coal Mine, Linfen city in Shanxi province, China, which is unique because of its island-typed mining layout. Firstly, geology, layout of the coal cutting face, supporting pattern are presented and details are also provided. Then the problems are discussed and analyzed based on existing bolting theories. It finds out the length of the cable bolt is too long, which requires long time to drill boreholes, whilst the effectiveness is limited due to the illogical combination between cable bolt function zone and rock bolt function zone. Also, the face place allocated to rock bolt is very likely to cause line contact between its edge and steel belt, thus the bearing force is tremendously weakened and solely determined by strength of belt. Furthermore, field observation proves the low active supporting effects to roof, thus leading obvious roof sink even without the disturbance of mining activity. Eventually, some solutions are proposed with the intention to improve the situation based on the economic and technical considerations, including bolting in humidity environment, rational cable bolt length, wise choice of face plate, and ways to increase pretension force. The viewpoints and comments of this study can be referred by practitioners in coal mines sharing same difficulties.