AU2013205498A1 - Apparatus and methods for stabilising rock - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to apparatus for stabilising a rock, the apparatus comprising a first component adapted to engage a first rock region, a second component adapted to engage a second rock region, and a yielding component, wherein in use the apparatus is inserted into a shaft in the rock, the shaft extending through a first rock region and a second rock region, the first component engages with the first rock region, the second component engages with the second rock region, the yielding component allowing movement of the first rock region with respect to the second rock region such that the apparatus is not disengaged from the rock. Figi

Description

APPARATUSAND M EFHODSFORSTABIUSING ROCK RBD OFTHEINVENION The present invention is directed to the field of rock stabilization, particularly as applied to mining activities. More specifically, the invention is directed to rock bolts that are capable 5 of absorbing movement in rock strata. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTIN In mining and other activities requiring the excavation of rock, the problem of stabilising a rock face often presents. The act of excavating leads to disruption of the rock face, leading 10 for the potential of dislodgement of rock from mine walls, ceilings and shafts. Fbck bolts are well known contrivances, having been used for many years to stabilize excavations such as tunnels and cuts. When properly installed, the rock bolt transfers load from an unstable rock face, to a more stable adjacent rock mass. 15 The "Slit at" has been the industry standard rock bolt for many years. A friction bolt is inserted into a hole in the back and shoulders of the mine directly behind the cutting face. Despite being well used and cost effective, the Slit &t works has a number of problems. !0 A problem presents in situationswhere mine strata are dynamic. The movement in rock can be due to the excavation itself or to seismic activity. Many rock bolts of the prior art have no give, and will become dislodged or fracture when rock strata shift. Accordingly, the rock face becomes unstable, and may collapse. 25 Underground mining is progressing to greater depths in many countries in the world. Mining at depths of around 3000 m is already common, with depths of 5000 m being contemplated. Even at shallower depths than these, damaging seismicity frequently occurs. In some cases this may be due to the fact that high horizontal stresses occur. Sich conditions are well known in Western Australia, aswell as other locations globally. 30 1 Sismicity can cause rockbursts which result in dynamic loading of rock support elements. Fbckbursts manifest as the violent ejection of rock from any of the surfaces of tunnels, and often in very localized areas. It has been observed that about a metre thickness of rock may be ejected, and that ejection velocities can be up to about 10 m/s. 5 Fbckfalls are also typically seen in underground mining. These events have lead to fatalities, and also result in financial loss to mining companies. After a rockfall, production mining is ceased and a safety audit is carried out. It can take many weeks for a mine return to full production after hearing debris, securing the strata and conducting safety inspections. 10 Another problem is that some types of rock bolt take a significant length of time to set in place, meaning that production time in a mine is lost. For example, where rock bolts are used to stabilise the roof of a mine bore hole it is not possible for workers to work underneath immediately. 15 Another problem is that some rock bolts require grouting before any significant level of rock stabilization is achieved. As mentioned earlier the grouting process adds to the installation time, but an added problem is the grouting step can sometimes be forgotten completely. !0 Afurther problem is that some rock bolts require three or more teams of workers to install the bolt: at least a first team to drill the borehole, a second team to insert the bolt, and a third team to grout the bolt. Yet a further problem is that a standard type of rock bolt having the ability to deal with rock 25 movement is not available. On site, some modifications to rock bolts are made in order to cope with rock movement, however such modifications are ad hoc, and must always be overseen by an appropriately qualified engineer on a case-by-case basis. It is an aspect of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate a problem with the prior 30 art, or to provide an alternative to prior art rock bolts. 2 The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, artides and the like is induded in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it 5 existed before the priority date of each daim of this application. SJM MARYOFTHEINVENION Inference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the 10 embodiment is induded in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this 15 disclosure, in one or more embodiments. Smilarly it should be appreciated that the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure !0 and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the aimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each daim. lather, as the following aims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disposed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are 25 hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each daim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features induded in other embodiments, combinations of features of different 30 embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and from different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. 3 For example, in the claims appended to this description, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is 5 understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. In the aims appended to this description and the description herein, any one of the terms 10 "comprising", "comprised of" or "which comprises' is an open term that means induding at least the elements/features that follow, but not exuding others. Thus, the term comprising, when used in the aims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a method comprising step A and step B should not be limited to methods consisting only of 15 methods A and B. Any one of the terms "including" or "which includes" or "that indudes" as used herein is also an open term that also means induding at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not exuding others. Thus, "including" is synonymous with and means "comprising". !0 In a first aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for stabilising a rock, the apparatus comprising: a first component adapted to engage a first rock region, a second component adapted to engage a second rock region, and a yielding component, wherein in use the apparatus is inserted into a shaft in the rock, the shaft extending through a first rock region and a second rock region, the first component engages with the first rock region, the 25 second component engages with the second rock region, the yielding component allowing movement of the first rock region with respect to the second rock region such that the apparatus is not disengaged from the rock. Applicant proposes for the first time a rock stabilising apparatus that is capable of providing 30 instantaneous stabilisation, but also stabilisation under conditions of rock movement. This arrangement is a significant advance in the art because a miner can start work about a newly stabilised rock immediately, and before even the bolt is grouted. The increased 4 productivity of mining workers and the speed with which the mining process proceeds is of dear economic advantage. Furthermore, it is advantageous in underground mining that a drilling and bolting jumbo can 5 quickly and safely support the ground directly behind the face so the next round of production drilling and blasting can continue. Bolting is not a "value adding" exercise in mining so reducing the time devoted to the activity is dearly beneficial. By way of example, the time taken to install a Slit St, insert a cable and grout it effectively 10 can be broken down as follows: M Installation of Slit St 1 minute M installation of cable into the Slit St 5 minutes, 30 seconds M Grouting the bolt 2 minutes 15 M Thus, the total time to install a Slit St, Cable and grout the combination is about 8 to 9 minutes By comparison time taken to install a bolt of the present invention is less than 3 minutes !0 (including grouting). The time saved by using a bolt of the present invention is about 5 to 6 minutes per bolt, or a minimum of 200 hours of installation time per month (assuming use of 2,000 bolts per month). 25 In one embodiment, the first component is substantially tubular, and the frictional engagement is achieved partially or completely by direct contact of an outer side of the first component and the inner wall of the shaft. In an embodiment, the first component is or is comprises a friction rock bolt. 30 As used herein, the term "friction rock bolt" is intended to mean any part of the apparatus that frictionally engages with the rock, or facilitates the frictional engagement of the 5 apparatus with the rock. The simplest method of frictional engagement is where an outer dimension of the bolt is larger than the drilled bore hole into which it is inserted. The bolt is forced into the narrow bore hole (usually by hammering) and the bolt presses firmly against the bore hole walls. 5 Many types of friction bolts are known in the art with many being manufactured from high strength steel tubing, typically having a slot running along the entire length.. One end is tapered for easy insertion into a borehole and the other has a welded ring flange to hold the bearing plate. With the bearing plate in place, the tube is driven into a slightly smaller hole, 10 using the same standard percussion drill that made the hole. As the tube of the rock bolt slides into place, the full length of the slot narrows, causing radial pressure to be exerted against the rock over its full contact length. Due to its split shape, the friction bolt engages with the rock of the borehole wall over its complete length after installation. 15 Friction bolts having alternative mechanisms are also contemplated to be amenable to the present apparatus. For example, friction bolts that rely on the swelling of a compound injected inside the bolt may be useful. These bolts are placed into an oversized borehole in a compressed state, with the expansion of the compound forcing the walls of the bolt against that of the borehole. !0 Friction bolts may also engage with a borehole by way of an expansion shell. The shell is inserted into the borehole, and via a mechanical means is expanded outwardly to engage the borehole wall. Typically the shell is expanded by way of rotating a threaded rod which causes the outward extension of the two or more leaflets that make up the shell. Many commercially available friction bolts will be useful as the first component, or part of 25 the first component in the context of the present apparatuses. Alternatively, designs based on commercially available friction boltswill be useful. The Hardi Friction Fbck Sabilizer and Garford Friction Fbck Sabilizer are types of commercially available bolt useful in the context of the invention. Accordingly, in one 30 embodiment the friction rock stabilizer is, or comprises, substantially a Hardi friction rock 6 stabilizer or functional part thereof; or a Garford Friction Fbck Sabilizer or functional part thereof. The Hardi Sabilizer has shown some success in mines throughout Europe, with tests 5 showing that it outperforms the industry standard by a minimum of 50% on pullout tests. The bolt has, only because of its construction, a high friction with the rock in which the bolt is installed without the need of additional bonding materials. This friction, measured in kN. pull out strength, ensures immediately ground support after installation. The friction is the result of the spring action of the special V-profile of the Hardi bolt that is pressed into in a 10 pre drilled hole with a smaller diameter than the Hardi bolt. The Hardi bolt is further advantageous in that installation is facilitated given that it can be driven into the borehole with the same equipment used as for drilling the hole. It provides direct ground support and very high friction due to the spring action by the four memory 15 zones in the V-profile. Typical specificationsfor the Hardi Friction Sabilizer follow: S>edifications HB-39 Type of steel : 5-44-3 N, werkstof nr.1.0144, conform EN 10 025 !0 Tensile strength steel min. 420 Mpa, typical 460 - 480 Mpa fieldd strength steel >320 Mpa Eongation bolt > 30% Wall Thickness nominal 2,00 mm. +/- 10% Breaking load : 130 - 140 kN 25 Bolt diameter : 39.3+/- 3 mm. Recommended hole diam 36.0 - 38.0 mm Bolt length : 0.9 - 4.0 meter S>edifications HB-46 30 Type of steel : S-44-3 N, werkstof nr.1.0144, conform EN 10 025 Tensile strength steel : min. 420 Mpa, typical 460 - 480 Mpa 7 fieldd strength steel >320 Mpa Bongation bolt > 30% Wall Thickness nominal 2,15 mm. +/- 10% Breaking load 160 - 170 kN 5 Bolt diameter 46.5+/- 3 mm. IRcommended hole diam 43.0 - 46.0 mm Bolt length 0.9 - 6.0 meter In one embodiment of the apparatus, the second component is adapted to frictionally 10 engage the second rock region. The frictional engagement may be achieved partially or completely by direct contact between the second component and the inner wall of the shaft. In one embodiment the second component comprises an expansion means such that the frictional engagement is achieved partially or completely by direct contact between the 15 expansion means and the inner wall of the shaft. As mentioned supra, a number of expansion means are known in the art. In one embodiment, the frictional engagement is achieved partially or completely by contact between the second component and a bonding material, and contact between the bonding material and the inner wall of the shaft. As used herein, the term "bonding !0 material" is intended to indude any grout, resin, glue or similar substance. In one embodiment the expansion means is a mechanical expansion shell, optionally of the type disclosed supra. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a yielding component. As used herein the term "yielding component" is intended to include any dedicated or non-dedicated part, region, area, or mechanism of the apparatus that permits 25 movement of the apparatus without breakage, significant deformation, or dislodgment of the apparatus from the borehole. The yielding component may be operably linked to the first component or the second component or both first and second components. In some embodiments the yielding component is attached to, or incorporated into the first and/or second components. The yielding component may in some embodiments also be the first 30 and/or second components. 8 In one embodiment, the yielding component is adapted to allow movement under seismic conditions that can be encountered at depths of greater than 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 or 5000 meters. 5 In one aspect, the yielding component is, or comprises, substantially a cable bolt. These bolts are usually composed on multiple-strand cable and are typically longer than friction bolts, and may be meters in length. The strands of the cable may be twisted open to form "bird cages" which act to mix and become interwoven in bonding materials such as grouts 10 and resins. Sme cable bolts indude anchorage by way of an expansion shell, as described supra. In a preferred embodiment, the yielding component is or comprises or is the same or is similar to that described in international patent application PCT/AU2003/001667 (to 15 GARFOFD PTY LTD; published as WO/2004/055327, the contents of which is herein incorporated by reference). The mechanism of the Garford dynamic cable bolt may be used as a yielding component in the context of the present apparatus. Accordingly, in a particularly preferred embodiment !0 the yielding component is, or comprises, substantially a Garford dynamic cable bolt, or functional portion thereof. The Garford bolt incorporates a specially designed mechanical Dynamic device which is attached to the cable at a specified point depending on the yield requirement of the bolt. 25 The Dynamic device is anchored in the borehole using cement or resin grout. A polyethylene debonding sheath along the bolt length prevents bonding of the steel element with the cement or resin grout, enabling the bolt to be pulled through the Dynamic Device repeatedly. 30 The Garford dynamic cable bolt may have one, more or all of the following properties: Mimimum Typical 15.2mm SEven Wire Compact Srand 9 M1eld Force (kn) 212 285 Tensile Srenth (kn) 300 310 Mass FOr Met re (kg) 1.176 Melding Seeve is Nit rocarburised. 5 In addition or alternative to the mechanical properties cited supra, the Garford solid bolt may have one, more or all of t he following features: * Satic field Force Capacity 150kn (min) to 180kn (max). 10 - Dynamic Meld Force Capacity 80kn to 120kn. - Various yield loads can be achieved by modifying the yielding mechanism. - Ultimate Displacement Capacity 300mm (standard) - Larger capacity may be specified. - Ultimate force Capacity 250kn (25 tonne) at displacement capacity. 15 - Energy absorption Capacity at 300mm displacement 30kj - larger capacity may be specified. - Dome Pate 150 x 150 x 8mm Dome Pate. - fedius Barrel and 3 part Wedge. - Standard equipment is used to for strand tensioning and barrel and wedge !0 installation. The mechanism of the Garford solid bolt may also be used as a yielding component in the context of the present apparatus. Accordingly, in a particularly preferred embodiment the yielding component is, or comprises, substantially a Garford solid bolt, or functional portion 25 thereof. This bolt may be characterised as a yielding rock bolt arranged to be inserted into a hole in a rock surface, characterised by comprising a shaft formed of a solid metal bar, the shaft having a first end and a second end, the shaft having a relatively, wide portion adjacent the first end thereof and a relatively narrow portion adjacent the wide portion, an anchor member having a longitudinal bore mounted about the shaft at the relatively narrow 30 portion and adjacent the wide portion, the longitudinal bore having at least a portion of lesser dimension than the relatively wide portion. 10 The energy absorption ability of the dynamic solid bolt is achieved by attaching a treated dynamic device to the bolt. When the seismic event occurs the solid bolt is able to be pulled through the dynamic device hence enabling the bolt to absorb the energy and remain intact. The polyethylene sleeve acts as a debonding agent that allows the solid bolt to slip through 5 the dynamic device. The dynamic device is mechanical therefore enabling repeatability in regard to the energy absorption process. The Garford solid bolt may have one, more or all of t he following mechanical propert ies: Mimimum Typical 10 Core Diameter - Bar (mm) 21.45 21.7 O-oss SEctional Area - Bar (mm2) 361 370 'Yeld Srength (MPa) 550 580 Yeild Force (kN) 199 215 Tensile Srengt h (MPa) 850 915 15 Tensile Force (kN) 307 339 Bongation (%) 12 16 Mass per met re - Bar (kg/m) 3.0 In addition or alternative to the mechanical properties cited supra, the Garford solid bolt !0 may have one, more or all of the following dynamic properties: Satic Force Capacity 140kN Dynamic Force Capacity 100kN Displacement Capacity up to 500mm 25 Another type of yieldable component that is contemplated to be useful is the sliding mechanism described in United Sates Patent No 7,955,034 (to MBDL) which has a sliding control element having a sliding body cage having at least one recess for receiving a sliding body that is in contact with a lateral surface of an anchor bolt rod, wherein each recess for 30 receiving the sliding body is disposed in the sliding body cage tangentially relative to the lateral surface of the anchor bolt rod, a lateral enveloping surface of each recess projects by 11 a predefined dimension into a free cross section of the through-opening, and each sliding body fills the transverse cross section of the recess associated with it. As a further example, the yieldable component may be the same or similar to the yieldable 5 tendon described in United Sates Patent No. 6,390,735 (to GAUDFAU et al). Other yielding designs are based on frictional pulling resistance mechanisms. For example, tendon threads may be designed to yield under stress, allowing a nut or damp to move with respect to the tendon. Other deformable structures may be provided. SEe for example, United Sates Patent Nos. 3,967,455; 5,791,823; and 5,882,148. 10 Another type of yieldable component is found in the OMRO Cone Bolt in 1992, a groutable tendon equipped with a cone anchor. For the Cone Bolt, energy dissipation is achieved when a wedge located downhole at the grouted end of the tendon plows through the filling material confined in the borehole, until the force on the face is no greater than the residual 15 strength of the tendon-grout-rock hole system. The Cone Bolt can sustain slow or rapid convergence of tunnel walls. It will be appreciated that the apparatus may be point anchored, or non-point anchored. The skilled person is enabled to select an appropriate apparatusfor a given application. !0 In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises grouting means. As used herein, the term "grouting means" is intended to include any physical or functional feature of the apparatus that allows or facilitates the ingress of a bonding material into and/or about the apparatus. The grouting means may comprise one of more of a grouting collar, a grouting channel, and a grout ing breather tube. 25 In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises tensioning means. It may be necessary to pretension point anchored bolts in order for the bolt to take up static loading and, in the case of yielding cable bolts, to engage the dynamic component which may be put under load to improve function. Typically, cable bolts with dynamic capabilities are tensioned but dynamic solid bar bolts generally do not require tensioning for the dynamic component to 30 function adequately (i.e. once rock joint separation or seismic rock movement has occurred) due to the fact that a corrosion attack can inhibit the ability of the yielding device if there is 12 slack in the system. The tensioning means may comprise one or more of a tensioning collar, a threaded bolt, and a tensioning anchor means. In some embodiments of the apparatus the grouting collar also functions as the tensioning collar, and/or the tensioning anchor means also functions as the expansion means. 5 Preferably the apparatus is of a substantially unitary construction. In this way, the apparatus can be easily inserted (and optionally grouted and/or tensioned) by a single team of workers. This saves manpower, and importantly time. A unitary apparatus also provides for reproducibility in performance, as is required in many mining applications. 10 By way of construction, the yielding component (e.g. bar or cable) of the bolt may be inserted inside the friction rock stabilizer so that the bar or cable runs from the collar end of the bolt, along the entire length of the friction stabilizer component and continues past the distal end of the friction bolt for a length sufficient to provide anchorage into an adjacent 15 section of more stable rock (i.e. where there islesslikely to be significant joint separation). The yielding component may be positioned at the distal end of the stranded cable, or indeed positioned elsewhere on the cable or bar. !0 Once the cable or bar has been installed inside the friction stabilizer component, the distal end of the friction bolt may be squeezed or crimped in order to join the friction component and yielding component. A small diameter tube may then be attached to the distal end of the bolt, positioned in the recessed or folded "V' portion of the friction stabilizer bolt for a desired length, running up past the end of the friction bolt and then attached to the yielding 25 cable or yielding bar by a method such as tack welding, or by the use of ties. The small diameter tube acts as an air release mechanism during the grouting process, which essentially take airsfrom the top of the borehole and enables it to escape past the incoming grout and be expelled down through the exterior fold on the friction stabilizer tube and out of the borehole. 30 13 In a further aspect the present invention provides a method for stabilising a rock, the method comprising the step of inserting into a borehole pre-drilled into the rock an apparatus as described herein. Installation may be achieved using a drilling and bolting jumbo with standard attachments, preferably with no further equipment being required. To 5 the best of the Applicant's knowledge, a friction bolt with dynamic capabilities has not been installed in a single pass prior to the filing date of the present specification. Rior art methods require two or more discrete processes, with each discrete process often being performed by a separate worker, or separate teams of workers. In the present method, the grouting process may be achieved relatively rapidly by a grouting coupling being pressed or 10 damped over the grouting/collar ring and then ably grouting at pressure during another pass of workers. It is contemplated that a standard jumbo may be modified to allow the grouting step to be performed in the same pass as insertion of the bolt. In one embodiment the method comprises the step of tensioning the apparatus. In another embodiment the method comprises the step of introducing a grouting material 15 within or about the first component and/or the second component and/or yielding component. In a further embodiment the method comprises drilling a shaft capable of accepting an apparatus as described herein. In another embodiment of the method, the method is devoid of the step of adding a 20 yieldable component to the first component and/or second component PREERRED EMBODIMENT OFTHEINVENION The present invention will now be more fully described by the following non-limiting examples, and in which: 25 Fig 1 is a cut-away lateral view of a non-point anchored rock bolt. Fig2. is a lateral view of a point anchored rock bolt which is capable of being tensioned and grouted. Fig 3 is a cross-sectional view of the point anchored rock bolt of Fig 2, showing detail of the tensioning/grouting collar. 30 Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the grouting/tensioning component of the rock bolt of Fig. 2. 14 Fig. 5 is a cut-away view of the rock bolt of Fig. 2, showing detail of the grouting and tensioning means. Turning first to Fig 1 there is shown an apparatus according to the present invention having 5 a first friction bolt component 2 having a V-profile resilient means 4, a breather tube 6, a flange 7 and a grouting collar 8. A stranded cable 10 runs through the lumen of the friction bolt component 2, and is attached (not shown) to a region about the grouting collar 8. The distal end of stranded cable 10 isfitted with a yielding component 12 of the type used in the Garford cable bolt. 10 In use, the apparatus is inserted in a borehole drilled into a rock face. The apparatus is inserted upper end (with reference to the figure) first, and driven into the borehole until the flange 7 abuts the rock face. At this point, the friction bolt component 2 is firmly engaged with the wall of the borehole thereby supplying a certain level of stabilisation. The resilient 15 means 4 provides a higher level of frictional engagement. This form of the invention is non point anchored. Subsequently, the apparatus may be grouted by introducing an appropriate material via the grouting collar 8 into the grouting channel 4. The grout displaces air via the breather tube 6, !0 while extending into and about the apparatus. Figs 2, 3, 4 and 5 show an apparatus adapted to be anchored to a point in the rock to be stabilized. This apparatus invention having a first friction bolt component 20 having a V profile resilient means 22, a breather tube 24, and a tensioning/grouting collar 26. A 25 threaded solid bolt 28 runs through the lumen of the friction bolt component 20, and is attached (not shown) to a region about the grouting collar 26. The distal end of the threaded solid bolt 28 is fitted with a yielding component 30 of the type utilized in the Garford cable bolt. The debonded portion of the bolt 28 is shown at 32. The distal end of the bolt 28 is fitted with a mechanical expansion shell 34 used to anchor the distal end of 30 the apparatus. 15 In use, the apparatus is driven into a borehole until the tensioning/grouting collar 26 abuts the rock face. At this point, the tensioning/grouting collar 26 may be rotated such that the threaded bolt 28 is urged toward the rock face, and drawing the mechanical expansion shell 34 toward the rock face also. This results in expansion of the expansion shell 34 such that it 5 frictionally engages with the borehole wall, thereby acting as a point anchor. Once the required amount of tension is applied, the apparatus may be grouted via the grouting collar 26, as described for t he apparatus of Fig 1. Figs 3 and 5 show greater detail of the tensioning means. It will be noted that the 10 tensioning means has a barrel 36 which is capable of rotating by rotating the nut 37 within the friction bolt component 20. The barrel 36 has a threaded sleeve 38 which rotates in concert with barrel, thereby acting to draw the threaded bolt 28 downward (by reference to the figure). The apertures 40 allow passage of grouting material through the barrel 36 and into the remainder of the apparatus, these being more clearly shown in Fig 4. 15 16 CLAIMS 1. An apparatusfor stabilising a rock, the apparatus comprising a first component adapted to engage a first rock region, 5 a second component adapted to engage a second rock region, and a yielding component, wherein in use the apparatus is inserted into a shaft in the rock, the shaft extending through a first rock region and a second rock region, the first component engageswith the first rock region, the second component engageswith the second rock region, the yielding 10 component allowing movement of the first rock region with respect to the second rock region such that the apparatus is not disengaged from the rock. 2. An apparatus according to daim 1 wherein the first component is adapted to frictionally engage the first rock region. 15 3. An apparatus according to daim 2 wherein the first component is substantially tubular, and the frictional engagement is achieved partially or completely by direct contact of an outer side of the first component and the inner wall of the shaft. 4. An apparatus according to daim 2 wherein the first component is or comprises a friction rock bolt. 20 5. An apparatus according to daim 3 wherein the friction rock stabilizer is, or comprises, substantially a Hardi friction rock stabilizer or functional part thereof; or a Garford friction rock stabilizer, or functional part thereof. 6. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the second component is adapted to frictionally engage the second rock region. 25 7. An apparatus according to daim 6 wherein the frictional engagement is achieved partially or completely by direct contact between the second component and the inner wall of the shaft. 17 8. An apparatus according to daim 7 wherein the second component comprises an expansion means such that the frictional engagement is achieved partially or completely by direct contact between the expansion means and the inner wall of the shaft. 9. An apparatus according to daim 6 wherein the frictional engagement is achieved 5 partially or completely by contact between the second component and a bonding material, and contact between the bonding material and the inner wall of the shaft. 10. An apparatus according to daim 8 wherein the expansion means is a mechanical expansion shell. 11. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the yielding component 10 is, or comprises, substantially a Garford cable bolt or functional part thereof. 12. An apparatus according to any one of claim 1 to 11 comprising grouting means. 13. An apparatus according to daim 12 wherein the grouting means comprises one of more of a grouting collar, a grouting channel, and a grouting breather tube. 14. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13 comprising tensioning means. 15 15. An apparatus according to daim 14 wherein the tensioning means comprises one or more of a tensioning collar, a threaded bolt, and a tensioning anchor means. 16. An apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein grouting collar also functions as the tensioning collar. 17. An apparatus according to daim 15 wherein the tensioning anchor means also 20 functions as the expansion means. 18. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the apparatus is a substantially unitary construction. 19. A method for stabilising a rock, the method comprising the step of inserting into a borehole pre-drilled into the rock an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18. 25 20. A method according to claim 19 comprising tensioning the apparatus. 18 21. A method according to claim 20 or daim 21 comprising introducing a grout ing material within or about the first component and/or the second component. 22. A method according to any one of aims 19 to 21 comprising drilling a shaft capable of accepting an apparatus according to any one claims 1 to 18 5 23. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 23 devoid of the step of adding a yieldable component to the first component. 24. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18 substantially as hereinbefore described by reference to the drawings. 10 DATED: 30 April 2013 MININGODNSJMABLESPTYLTD; ACN 142 973 180 By their Patent Attorneys: -IUFCHILL ATTORNEYS 15 19

Claims (24)

1. An apparatusfor stabilising a rock, the apparatus comprising a first component adapted to engage a first rock region, 5 a second component adapted to engage a second rock region, and a yielding component, wherein in use the apparatus is inserted into a shaft in the rock, the shaft extending through a first rock region and a second rock region, the first component engageswith the first rock region, the second component engageswith the second rock region, the yielding 10 component allowing movement of the first rock region with respect to the second rock region such that the apparatus is not disengaged from the rock.

2. An apparatus according to daim 1 wherein the first component is adapted to frictionally engage the first rock region. 15

3. An apparatus according to daim 2 wherein the first component is substantially tubular, and the frictional engagement is achieved partially or completely by direct contact of an outer side of the first component and the inner wall of the shaft.

4. An apparatus according to daim 2 wherein the first component is or comprises a friction rock bolt. 20

5. An apparatus according to daim 3 wherein the friction rock stabilizer is, or comprises, substantially a Hardi friction rock stabilizer or functional part thereof; or a Garford friction rock stabilizer, or functional part thereof.

6. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the second component is adapted to frictionally engage the second rock region. 25

7. An apparatus according to daim 6 wherein the frictional engagement is achieved partially or completely by direct contact between the second component and the inner wall of the shaft. 17

8. An apparatus according to daim 7 wherein the second component comprises an expansion means such that the frictional engagement is achieved partially or completely by direct contact between the expansion means and the inner wall of the shaft.

9. An apparatus according to daim 6 wherein the frictional engagement is achieved 5 partially or completely by contact between the second component and a bonding material, and contact between the bonding material and the inner wall of the shaft.

10. An apparatus according to daim 8 wherein the expansion means is a mechanical expansion shell.

11. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the yielding component 10 is, or comprises, substantially a Garford cable bolt or functional part thereof.

12. An apparatus according to any one of claim 1 to 11 comprising grouting means.

13. An apparatus according to daim 12 wherein the grouting means comprises one of more of a grouting collar, a grouting channel, and a grouting breather tube.

14. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13 comprising tensioning means.

15 15. An apparatus according to daim 14 wherein the tensioning means comprises one or more of a tensioning collar, a threaded bolt, and a tensioning anchor means.

16. An apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein grouting collar also functions as the tensioning collar.

17. An apparatus according to daim 15 wherein the tensioning anchor means also 20 functions as the expansion means.

18. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the apparatus is a substantially unitary construction.

19. A method for stabilising a rock, the method comprising the step of inserting into a borehole pre-drilled into the rock an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18. 25

20. A method according to claim 19 comprising tensioning the apparatus. 18

21. A method according to claim 20 or daim 21 comprising introducing a grout ing material within or about the first component and/or the second component.

22. A method according to any one of aims 19 to 21 comprising drilling a shaft capable of accepting an apparatus according to any one claims 1 to 18 5

23. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 23 devoid of the step of adding a yieldable component to the first component.

24. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18 substantially as hereinbefore described by reference to the drawings. 10 DATED: 30 April 2013 MININGODNSJMABLESPTYLTD; ACN 142 973 180 By their Patent Attorneys: -IUFCHILL ATTORNEYS 15 19