High Capacity Rock Bolt

A method of installing a friction bolt into rock comprising the steps of:

• providing a friction bolt comprising a first generally circular tube having an internal diameter and an external diameter defining a longitudinal split, the tube being radially expandable, the bolt having a first leading end for insertion into a bore and a second end defining a head;
• inserting one of more inserts into the first generally circular tube, each insert comprising a second generally circular tube defining a longitudinal split and having an external diameter which is substantially the same as or larger than the internal diameter of the first generally circular tube located with an exterior of the second generally circular tube in contact with the interior of the first generally circular tube;
• drilling a borehole into the rock, the borehole having an internal diameter which is smaller than the external diameter of the friction bolt;
• and
• inserting the friction bolt into the borehole using force to compress the first tube and the insert to create radial pressure on the walls of the borehole.