Drilling apparatus and method for single pass bolting

A drilling apparatus and circumferential compression type friction bolt combination, wherein the drilling apparatus comprises a drill steel assembly and a disposable drill bit, the drill steel assembly comprises at least a drill steel, having first and second ends, the first end of the drill steel being constructed to releasably operatively engage a means for imparting rotational and impact energy, and the second end of the drill steel is releasably operatively interconnected with the disposable drill bit, the drill steel being constructed to transmit rotational and impact energy to the disposable drill bit, and wherein the drilling apparatus and friction bolt combination is characterized in that a portion of the drill steel proximate the second end thereof is received through the friction bolt, the drill steel assembly is provided with drive means constructed to drive the friction bolt into a body requiring reinforcement, and the drill steel assembly is constructed allow facile disconnection of the disposable drill bit therefrom, whilst the drilling apparatus is embedded in the body requiring reinforcement.

A method for installation of friction bolts into a body requiring reinforcement, the method comprising the steps of:

• simultaneously boring a hole of suitable diameter whilst driving a friction bolt using a drilling apparatus and friction bolt combination, wherein the drilling apparatus comprises a drill steel assembly and a disposable drill bit, the drill steel assembly comprises at least a drill steel, having first and second ends, such that the first end of the drill steel is constructed to receive a means for imparting rotational and impact energy, and the second end of the drill steel is releasably operatively interconnected with the disposable drill bit, the drill steel being constructed to transmit rotational and impact energy to the disposable drill bit, and wherein the drilling apparatus and friction bolt combination is characterized in that a portion of the drill steel proximate the second end thereof is received within a central bore through the friction bolt into a body requiring reinforcement, and the drill steel assembly is constructed to allow facile disconnection of the disposable drill bit therefrom, whilst the drilling apparatus is embedded in the body requiring reinforcement;
• and
• retracting the drill steel assembly through the friction bolt, leaving the disposable drill bit in the hole, and the friction bolt set in place.