Investigation into the Mechanical Behaviour of Timber Chocks in Underground Mining

Timber chocks are essential standing support systems in underground mining, stabilising areas where roof and floor deformations occur. Made from Australian hardwood components, they are cost-effective, easy to install, and require low maintenance. This thesis systematically investigates timber chocks’ mechanical behaviour at component, contact, and system levels through experimental and numerical approaches. Component-level tests analysed notch corners, where cracks initiate, while contact-level compressive tests modelled small chocks using finite element methods. System-level studies examined aspect ratio, loading rate, and environmental exposure effects. A modified analytical model was developed to improve reliability, offering insights for safer and more efficient designs.