Rock reinforcement

Apparatus component assembly combination for reinforcing a hole formed in rock comprising:

• as first component at least one expandable tubular member having a longitudinally extending bore and adapted to be placed in a hole formed in rock, and
• as second component in combination therewith a selective supply of a volume increasing settable and expandable non-explosive material which in initial unset and unexpanded condition occupies a given volume and in final set and expanded condition occupies an increased volume relative to said given given volume, and which non-explosive material is capable of changing from its unset to its set condition over a period of setting time and during its setting period is capable of increasing expanding and as it expands of increasingly generating a compressive force in the expanding direction of its increasing volume until it reaches its final set and expanded condition and occupies said increased volume,
• said supply of non-explosive material being disposed within the bore of the tubular member, such that when the tubular member is disposed in said hole formed in the rock, said non-explosive material upon changing from its unset to its set condition during its setting period causes the adjacent portion of the tubular member to expand outwardly into frictional contact with said hole in the rock, said supply of non-explosive material being sufficient upon setting to maintain and frictional contact but being insufficient during and upon setting to split the rock.