The present invention relates to a self drilling rock bolt which may be used in mining applications. 
     Self drilling rock bolts are typically are formed by rebars having an axially extending central passageway for water passage and post grouting. Costs of such hollow steel rebars is quite high. 
     In the present invention, a rock bolt is formed from a hollow tubular member which may be steel pipe, and a reinforcing arrangement comprising prestressed concrete type steel strand wound around the outside of the hollow tubular member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a rock bolt and, particularly, but not exclusively, to a self-drilling rock bolt which may be used in mining applications. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Rock bolts for supporting structures e.g. roofs of passageways in mines are well known. There are many different types of rock bolts. A rock bolt generally consists of an elongate shank (length will generally depend upon the material which the rock bolt is intended to secure) having a distal end (the end which in use is fixed furthest within the rock), and a proximal end (the end, in use, which is closest to the surface of a rock and, in many cases, may actually project from the rock surface), or “tail end”. 
         [0003]    Rock bolts are fixed in elongate boreholes (not much wider than the rock bolt) which is drilled in the rock. In use, a bearing plate is secured at the tail end of the rock bolt fast against the rock surface. The rock bolt and bearing plate assembly operate to support the rock. Many rock bolts may be used to support structures. For example, in mines rock bolts may be used to support passageways. 
         [0004]    Installation usually requires drilling of the borehole by using a drill rig and a drill steel (a long steel rod with a drill bit on the end). The drill steel is then removed from the borehole. Resin (or “grout”) is inserted into the borehole, then the rock bolt itself is inserted and tightened up against the bearing plate. 
         [0005]    Some rock bolts incorporate point anchoring mechanisms, which can be manipulated post insertion of the rock bolt to mechanically interfere with walls of the borehole in order to firmly secure the rock bolt. 
         [0006]    The conventional procedure for installing rock bolts involves drilling a bore hole using a drill steel, removing the drill steel, inserting resin and a rock bolt and securing the rock bolt. “Self drilling” rock bolts are also known. These generally incorporate a drill bit as part of or connected to the distal end of the rock bolt, a tail end being attachable to a drill rig in order to drill the bore hole with the rock bolt. Once the hole is drilled, the rock bolt is retained in the hole. 
         [0007]    One such self drilling rock bolt is disclosed in the Applicant's co-pending Australian patent application number 2006903922, entitled “Rock Bolt” and filed on 20 Jul. 2006. The disclosure of this provisional patent application is incorporated herein by reference. This earlier application discloses a self drilling rock bolt which includes a point anchoring mechanism. 
         [0008]    Rock bolts are required to be high strength, typically over 30 tonnes ultimate tensile strength. Rock bolts are typically bonded to the borehole walls by resin. It is advantageous for the surface of the rock bolt to be deformed in order to provide high bond strength between the bolt/resin/rock interfaces. 
         [0009]    Self drilling rock bolts have typically been rebars (strong steel bars) having an axially extending central path for water passage (and post grouting). The cost of making such hollow steel bars is quite high, and is uneconomical for high density rock support required by many underground mines. 
         [0010]    It has been proposed to use a solid rebar with an outer sleeve for water passage during drilling. The outer sleeve, however, typically reduces the bonding between the rebar and the bore hole wall. 
         [0011]    It has also been proposed to use high strength pipe which has limited surface deformations, if any, and is expensive and difficult to manufacture in the required high strength material. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention provides a rock bolt, comprising a shank portion comprising a hollow tubular member and a reinforcing arrangement in use operating to reinforce the hollow tubular member. 
         [0013]    In an embodiment, the reinforcing arrangement also provides deformations in an outer surface, whereby to improve bonding in a rock bolt borehole. 
         [0014]    In an embodiment, the reinforcing arrangement comprises a reinforcing material mounted about a wall of the hollow tubular member. In an embodiment, the reinforcing material is mounted about an outer wall of the hollow tubular member. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, the reinforcing arrangement is strand wrapped around an outer wall of the hollow tubular member. In an embodiment, the strand is metal strand and, in an embodiment, is “prestressed concrete” (PC) type steel strand. In an embodiment, the strand itself may be “spiral type” PC wire, which advantageously adds further deformation on a smaller scale to the already deformed outer surface formed by the strands. In an embodiment, the strand may be indented in order to provide extra deformation. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment, where the reinforcing arrangement comprises metal strand, the metal strand may be secured at an end of the hollow tubular member by a securing member arranged to receive ends of the metal strand and secure them to the hollow tubular member. In an embodiment, the securing member is a nut having a threaded portion arranged to seat on a corresponding threaded portion on the hollow tubular member, and comprising passageways for receiving ends of the metal strand. In manufacture, the nut may be rotated on the threaded portion to rotate the metal strand into position around the hollow tubular member and secure it to the hollow tubular member. A nut may be provided at each end of the shank portion for this purpose. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment, a wedge mechanism may be arranged to secure the metal strand. 
         [0018]    The shank (which, in an embodiment, forms the majority of the length of the rock bolt) is, in an embodiment, formed of hollow pipe, which may be commercially available. In an alternative embodiment, the pipe may not be the standard diameter and is specially made. 
         [0019]    Using rigid hollow pipe made by conventional high volume methods and metal strand reinforcement members in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, has the advantage that it is typically less expensive than hollow rebar yet strong enough to achieve similar or even much higher tensile strength than currently used for primary rock support. In an embodiment, the hollow pipe may be of mild steel (10-22 mm diameter), being rigid and strong enough to drill the single hole. When the rock bolt is subsequently secured to the borehole walls by either resin or mechanical anchor, the reinforcement arrangement can be tensioned which provides additional rock reinforcement by means of pre-stressing the rock mass. 
         [0020]    Where the reinforcing arrangement is a metal strand, up to 95% and perhaps even more of the load may be carried by the strand. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment, the rock bolt may be a self drilling rock bolt including the shank, a distal end at one end of the shank and a tail end at the other end of the shank. The rock bolt may incorporate a point anchoring mechanism, such as described in the Applicant's co-pending application referenced above. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a rock bolt in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-section through a securing arrangement of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2B  is a plan view showing an inner surface of a securing insert of the securing arrangement of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a rock bolt in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is an end view from one end of the rock bolt of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 C are details of an alternative securing member for use with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a detail of a distil end of the rock bolt of the embodiment of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a cross-section on line XX of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a rock bolt in accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a view from one end of the rock bolt of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a detailed exploded view of a reinforcing member of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 11A  is a side view of a rock bolt in accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 11B  is a detailed exploded view of a part of the rock bolt of the embodiment of  FIG. 11A ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is a side view of a portion of a rock bolt in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is a cross-section through the shank of a rock bolt in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0038]      FIG. 14  is a cross-section through a shank of a rock bolt in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0039]    An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0040]    A rock bolt, generally designated by reference numeral  1  comprises a shank  2 . The shank  2 , in this embodiment, is comprised of a hollow tubular member  5  and a reinforcing arrangement  4 . In this embodiment, the hollow tubular member  5  has a longitudinally extending passageway  3  which extends the length of the shank  2 . In this embodiment, the hollow tubular member  5  is a hollow tube formed from rigid hollow pipe. 
         [0041]    The reinforcing arrangement  4 , is of high strength and forms a deformed outer surface which provides high load transfer through the cementations grout/resin which is placed between the strands and borehole wall. In this particular example, the reinforcement arrangement is in the form of reinforcing strand which is wound around the outside of the hollow tube  5 . In this embodiment, the strands  4  are high tensile “PC” steel strand wound about the outside of the hollow tubular member  5 . The strand is welded to the hollow tubular member  5  at a distal end  6  of the rock bolt  1 . The deformations in the outer surface are formed by the nature of the strands, not being a smooth outer surface. As well as the nature of the wound strands providing deformed surface, additional deformation may be added by indenting the strands or using “spiral type” PC wire. 
         [0042]    In more detail, the rock bolt  1  also includes, at the distal end  6 , a drill bit  8  mounted on the tubular member  5  to enable self drilling of the rock bolt  1 . 
         [0043]    In order to secure together the reinforcing strands  6 , for purpose of tensioning and load bearing, a securing arrangement  9  is arranged at the tail end  7  of the rock bolt  1 . The securing arrangement  9  includes a cylinder  10  incorporating a wedge arrangement in the interior of the cylinder. The cylinder and wedge are mounted about the outer surface of strand  6  and the cylinder is then deformed onto the wedge so that the wedge bites into the strand  6  to provide further securing. The hollow tubular member provides the radial resistance to maintain the strands in position against the wedge compressing radially inwards. 
         [0044]    The securing arrangement  9  is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . Within the cylinder  10  there are mounted three inserts  12 , which, in this embodiment, are not “wedge” shaped as such but part cylindrical sections.  FIG. 2B  shows a front on plan view of an inside face of one of the inserts  12 . In use, the inside face  12  buts against the strand  6 . The inside face  12  is provided with a plurality of serrations or teeth  13 . Alternatively, this may be in the form of a thread  13 . 
         [0045]    When the cylinder  10  is compressed over the inserts  12  the serrations/teeth  13  penetrate or otherwise interfere with the strand  6  to secure the strand  6 . The compression is carried out by machine operation during manufacture of the rock bolt  1 . This is a swage type of end fitting. 
         [0046]    Once the cylinder  10  has been compressed about the inserts  12 , an outer thread is formed on the outside of the cylinder  10 , for receiving retention nut  11 . 
         [0047]    As an alternative to the part cylindrical inserts, wedge shaped inserts could be used. 
         [0048]    The outer surface of the cylinder has a thread formed on it to receive a cooperatively threaded tension nut  11 . In operation, the tension nut  11  may be tensioned against a mounting plate (not shown) hard up against the rock face when the rock bolt is in place. 
         [0049]    To install the rock bolt, the tail end  7  of the shank  2  is placed into a rock drilling motor. A drill rig rotates the rock bolt  1  and the drill bit  8  drills into the rock. As drilling proceeds, water or other cooling fluid may be provided via the central passageway  3 . The whole tubular member provides sufficient strength to provide for rotation/impact of the drilling bit into the rock. When the rock bolt is into the rock at sufficient depth, cementations grout/resin is injected into the hollow tube to flow out of the drill bit and down the bolt between the borehole wall and reinforcing strand. Alternatively, grout can be pumped upwards between the bore hole and the outer circumference of the rock bolt  1 . The passageway  3  in this case is used as a breather tube to allow air to escape as grout fills the voids. The grout is allowed to cure and secure the reinforcing strand to the rock. The tension nut is then rotated hard up against the mounting plate in order to tension the bolt and plate against the rock face. 
         [0050]    The reinforcing strand, when bonded to the borehole wall with resin, acts to provide the rock reinforcement. This is achieved through having an overall deformed surface/circumference to bond to the rock and the required very high strength to carry the load transferred to the reinforcing member through rock movement. 
         [0051]    A further embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The same reference numerals have been used in these figures to identify similar features of this rock bolt to the rock bolt of  FIG. 1  and no further description will be given of these features. 
         [0052]    In this embodiment, the rock bolt  20  comprises an alternative securing member to secure the reinforcement arrangement  4 . In more detail, a securing member arranged at the tail end  7  of the rock bolt  20  comprises drive nut  21 . The drive nut  21  is fixed to the hollow tubular member  2  by way of a thread on the inside of the drive nut  21  and outside of a portion of tubular member  5 . The drive nut  21  also includes a number of bores  23  for receiving strands  4  of the reinforcing arrangement. The strands have a button head  26  formed onto the ends for securing against the bores  23 . A reinforcing nut  24  at the distal end  6  of the rock bolt  20  is arranged for mounting on a threaded portion  25  of the distal end  6 . In manufacture, when the drive nut  21  is twisted in a clockwise direction, it will cause winding on the originally straight strands  4  to form a helically twisted formation. 
         [0053]    In operation, when the rock bolt  20  has been drilled into the bore hole, grouting may then be carried out via the central passageway  3  as usual. 
         [0054]    In this embodiment, “button distals”  26  may be formed at the ends of the reinforcing strands  4 , to secure the strands within the passageways  23  in drive nut  21  (and also in the securing nut  24 ). 
         [0055]    A variation on the securing member for securing the reinforcement arrangement  4  is illustrated in  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 C. 
         [0056]    In this alternative, the securing member is in two parts. One part comprises a cylindrical end block  22  which includes circumferential bores  23  for receiving the ends of reinforcing strand  4 . The end block  22  may be secured to the hollow tubular member  5  by welding or threads on its inner surface  27 . 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 5A , reference numeral  26  clearly indicates a forged button on the end of each individual wire of the strand  4 . The button-end  26  is formed after the wires are inserted through the passageways  23  in the end block  23 . 
         [0058]    The other part of the securing member comprises a tensioning nut  28 , which includes a nut  28  having a cylindrical recess  29  which is arranged to receive the end block  22  to seat therein, as best illustrated in  FIG. 5C . The tensioning nut also includes a passageway  35  which extends around the outside of the strand  4 . A thread may be provided at this portion of the strand  4  to engage with a corresponding thread on the inside of the passageway  35 . 
         [0059]    In operation, the rock bolt  20  is drilled into the rock. After grouting, the tensioning nut  29  may then be rotated up against a mounting plate (not shown) to post-tension the rock bolt  20 . 
         [0060]    In the alternative using the securing member  21 , no post-tensioning is required and drilling occurs until the securing member  21  is drilled up against the rock or a mounting plate (not shown), and then grouting is introduced into the bore hole. 
         [0061]      FIG. 6  shows a detail of the distil end  6  of the rock bolt of  FIG. 3 . The securing nut  24  has bores  36  for receiving reinforcing strand  4 . No button heads are required on the strand for this end. The nut  24  and strand  4  could be welded to the tubular member  5  if required. As this end  6  of the bolt  20  is grouted within the rock, less strength is required than at the proximal end  7  of the rock bolt  20 . 
         [0062]    A further embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10 . Again, the same reference numerals have been used to denote features which are the same as already described for previous embodiments, and no further description will be given of these features. 
         [0063]    In the rock bolt  30  of this embodiment, an alternative securing arrangement  31  is utilised to assist in securing the reinforcement strands  4  and tensioning the rock bolt  30 . A reinforcing member  31  includes a tapered internal surface  33  and wedges  32  that are arranged to slide against the tapered internal surface  33 . In operation, the member  31  is tensioned against a mounting plate when the rock bolt  30  is in place within the bore hole. Upon subsequent loading as the member  31  is pulled up against the mounting plate, it forces the wedges to bite into the strands  4  and secure the strands  4 . 
         [0064]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , there are three wedges  32 . An exploded view of the barrel  31  and wedge  32  arrangement is shown in  FIG. 10 . Again, although not clearly shown in  FIG. 10 , there are 3 wedges  32 . It will be appreciated that there may be more or less wedges. 
         [0065]    In operation, the rock bolt  30  is drilled into the rock up until the mounting plate and barrel are tensioned against the rock surface and the barrel  31  is forced backwardly over the wedges  32  to secure the strands  4 . Grouting is then implemented. 
         [0066]      FIG. 12  shows a portion of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , showing a mounting plate  39  in section. The barrel  31  seats in a hole or recess  38  in the mounting plate  39 . 
         [0067]    Yet a further embodiment is illustrated in  FIGS. 11A and 11B . 
         [0068]    The rock bolt  40  of  FIG. 11   a  includes a mechanical anchoring arrangement, generally designated by reference numeral  45 , at the distal end  6  of the rock bolt  40 . The mechanical anchoring arrangement  45  is of similar construction to the mechanical anchoring arrangement disclosed in provisional patent application number 2006903922, referenced above. The mechanical anchoring arrangement  45  operates to point anchor the rock bolt  40 . 
         [0069]    The mechanical anchoring arrangement  45  will now be described in more detail. Towards the distal end  6  of the rock bolt  40 , the tubular member  5  is threaded with screw threads  49 . The threaded portion  49  extends up to the drill bit  8 . The drill bit  8  comprises a base forming a stop  50  where the threaded portion  49  meets the drill bit  8 . 
         [0070]    The mechanical anchoring arrangement  45  includes an expansion shell  47  and chuck  46 . The expansion shell  47  in this example, has longitudinally extending leaves  52 ,  53  (note only two are shown in the drawings but there are three leaves). Note that the number of leaves on the expansion shell  47  could vary. For example, the leaves could vary from two to four. The leaves  52 ,  53  are arranged to move outwardly on expansion of the expansion shell  47  and are formed with a plurality of external protrusions  54  which assist in gripping the sides of the borehole to secure the rock bolt  40  in place. The expansion shell  47  also includes a bore  55  for sliding engagement with the threaded portion  49 . An abutment member in the form of a threaded nut  56  is mounted on the threaded portion  49  and operates to prevent the expansion shell  47  from sliding further towards the tail end  7 . 
         [0071]    The chuck  46  has a threaded bore (not shown) for threaded engagement with the threaded portion  49 . Rotation of the rock bolt  40  relative to the chuck  46  thus causes axial motion of the chuck  46  along the threaded portion  49 . The chuck  46  includes tapered surfaces in sliding keying engagement with complementary surfaces on the extension leaves  52 ,  53 , such that axial motion of the chuck  46  towards the tail end  7  relative to the expansion shell  47  will cause the leaves  52 ,  53  to diverge outwardly and grip the walls of the borehole. The chuck also includes projections  57  which extend into slots  58  formed between the leaves  52 ,  53  and prevent relative rotation of the chuck  46  and expansion shell  47  with respect to each other. 
         [0072]    Stop  50  formed by the base of the drill bit  8  prevents chuck  46  and expansion shell  47  from moving over the distal end of the rock bolt  40 . 
         [0073]    The protrusions  54  are in a spiral formation, to assist with the flow of fluid during drilling, and aid in clearance of filings/cuttings. The spiral runs in the opposite direction to the thread form i.e. right hand spiral for left hand thread. 
         [0074]    Installation of the rock bolt  40  will now be described. 
         [0075]    A drill rig and spanner is attached to the rock bolt. Drilling into the rock substrate is implemented by rotating the rock bolt in the clockwise direction (in this embodiment). It will be appreciated that a reverse threaded arrangement may be rotated in the anticlockwise direction. As drilling proceeds, the expansion shell  47  may resist rotation as it abuts the walls of the borehole, and this will result in relative anticlockwise rotation of the expansion shell  47  and chuck  46  relative to the rock bolt  40 . This will cause the chuck  46  to travel along the threaded portion  49  towards the distal end of the rock bolt  40  where it will abut the flat  50 . Once flat  50  is engaged by the chuck  46  then the expansion shell  47  and chuck  46  will continue to rotate in the drilling direction with the rock bolt  40 . 
         [0076]    Once the rock bolt  40  has created a borehole of the desired length, drilling in the forward direction is ceased and rotation in the reverse direction (anticlockwise in this embodiment) is applied by the drill rig. By virtue of the anticlockwise motion of the threaded portion  49 , the chuck  46  will now move towards the tail end  7 . As the chuck  46  moves along the threaded portion  49 , the tapered surfaces in sliding keying engagement with the complementary surfaces on the extension leaves  52 ,  53 , cause the expansion shell  47  to expand outwardly. The protrusions  54  on the external surfaces of the leaves  52 ,  53  engage the walls of the borehole and mechanically secure the rock bolt  40  in place and provide tension to the reinforcement member. 
         [0077]    Grouting the rock bolt  40  can then be carried out as discussed with reference to the previous embodiments. 
         [0078]      FIG. 11B  shows a exploded view of the head end of the rock bolt  40  of  FIG. 11A , more clearly showing the components of the point anchoring mechanism. 
         [0079]    The tail end of the rock bolt  40  may have any securing arrangement. In  FIG. 11A , the securing arrangement comprises a barrel  31  and wedge  32  assembly as shown. 
         [0080]      FIGS. 13 and 14  show cross sections through the shanks of rock bolts in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. These diagrams illustrate that different widths of reinforcing strands and different dimensions of tubular member may be utilised. In  FIG. 13 , for example, strands  4  may be 6 mm in diameter and the internal diameter of the tube  5  is 12 mm. Relatively large particle grout can be used with increasing hollow tube internal diameter. 
         [0081]    The arrangement of  FIG. 14 , on the other hand, has smaller diameter strands  4  (5.5 mm) and a smaller diameter tube  5  (12.7 mm), for possible resin injection. 
         [0082]    The rock bolt of the present invention is not limited to the dimensions shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . These are example dimensions only. 
         [0083]    In the above embodiments, the reinforcing arrangement is formed by strands of strong material (such as steel). Other materials then steel may be used for the strands. Further, the reinforcing arrangement may comprise other forms than strands. For example, a webbing of strong material may form the reinforcing arrangement. 
         [0084]    All the above embodiments relate to self drilling rock bolts. The present invention is not limited to self drilling rock bolts. A conventional rock bolt with a hollow tube and reinforcing arrangement also falls within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0085]    In the above embodiments, various arrangements are illustrated and described for securing the reinforcing arrangement at the head and tail of the rock bolt. Other arrangements than described may be utilised. For example, in a simple embodiment, the strand may be welded at the head end and also welded at the tail end. 
         [0086]    In the above embodiments, the reinforcing arrangement comprises reinforcing strands of a metal material, such as PC Steel. The reinforcing arrangement may be of other material. For example, it may comprise fibreglass or plastics. It may comprise fibreglass or plastics strand. Any other suitable material may be used. 
         [0087]    In the above embodiments, the tubular members of hollow steel pipe or other metal material. It may be of any other suitable material, such as fibreglass, for example. 
         [0088]    In embodiments of the invention, there is the advantage that the tubular member holds the initial tension and then the reinforcing arrangement, in examples being reinforcing strand, takes over the load when the rock bolt is secured in the bore e.g. by grouting. 
         [0089]    In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 
         [0090]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.