ABSTRACT
The support system for underground excavations is vital for the safe and cost effective operation of mines and other underground installations. Understanding the interaction of the installed support with the stressed rock is important to ensure a safe and cost effective support and excavation design. Rock bolts are the most common component of any support system, and because they are installed into the rock, recording their performance is the most challenging. Testing the performance of the support is also an important quality control method. This chapter discusses the need for such testing and methods to achieve the appropriate results depending on the specific needs.
