ABSTRACT
Ideally, any rock anchor system should match as closely as possible the load reaction curve that occurs around the mine opening. Goals of the formable anchor should be to match geologic characteristics, loading (primary, secondary and tertiary) and provide overall adjustments to meet the varying ground movements that occur around any underground excavation. This chapter discusses the formable anchor designs to meet these goals. Three commercial rock anchors will be used to illustrate the design and performance of formable anchors. They are: friction rock anchors - SPLIT SET Stabilizers; water inflated deformed metal tubes - SWELLEX; and dynamic rock anchors - DYNA-ROK and DYNA-ROK PLUS Anchors. SPLIT SET friction rock stabilizers established the validity of the formable anchor concept. The SWELLEX product demonstrates that a rigid formable anchor can be developed by using water pressurized tubes.
