Abstract

To elucidate the active–passive reinforcement mechanisms of rock bolts and the evolution of shear strength in anchored rock joints, this study integrates theoretical analysis, laboratory direct shear tests, and numerical simulations to investigate the deformation and failure characteristics of fully grouted, end-anchored, and prestressed bolted specimens. The results show that bolt reinforcement can be classified into prestress-dominated active action and dislocation-induced passive action. The shear strength curve of anchored rock joints exhibits four distinct stages with increasing shear displacement: initial slip, elasticity, yielding, and softening. Fully grouted bolts fail primarily by tensile–shear fracture, enabling a rapid increase in shear strength at small displacements. In contrast, end-anchored bolts undergo S-shaped bending and form symmetrical plastic hinges on both sides of the joint, sustaining resistance under large displacements albeit with lower peak strength. While the laboratory tests experimentally clarified the distinct failure modes and passive shear resistance mechanisms of fully grouted and end-anchored bolts, the quantitative partitioning between active and passive contributions was derived from a numerically simulated prestressed bolt model. The simulations indicate that for prestressed bolts, the active contribution accounts for approximately 69.6% of the total shear strength enhancement, while the passive contribution is about 30.4%. These findings yield actionable design criteria: end-anchored or yielding bolts are recommended for high-geostress environments or scenarios involving large potential deformations to exploit the large-deformation bearing capacity of passive action; conversely, prestressed bolts should be prioritized where strict control of early-stage deformation is required to maximize active support efficiency.

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