Carbon Fiber Rock Bolt

Abstract

A carbon fiber rock bolt including: an outer carbon fiber rope including a series of tow fibers; and an inner core material. As the tension on the rock bolt increases beyond a predetermined limit, the inner core material undergoes a spatial compression, whilst the angle of twist in the carbon fiber rope strands decreases, resulting in extension of the carbon fiber rock bolt, replicating the ductility seen in steel rock bolts.

Claims

1. A carbon fiber rock bolt including: an outer carbon fiber rope comprising a series of tow fibers; an inner core material; and such that, as the tension on the rock bolt increases beyond a predetermined limit, the inner core material undergoes a spatial compression.

2. A carbon fiber rock bolt as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carbon fiber rope is impregnated with a high extension resin.

3. A carbon fiber rock bolt as claimed in claim 2 wherein the degree of extension of the resin is at least 20%.

4. A carbon fiber rock bolt as claimed in claim 3 wherein the degree of extension of the resin is about 130%.

5. A carbon fiber rock bolt as claimed in any previous claim wherein said carbon fiber rope includes at least one strain sensitive optical fiber axially formed in the rope.

6. A carbon fiber rock bolt as claimed in any previous claim wherein said inner core includes a series of axial cavities formed therein.

7. A carbon fiber rock bolt as claimed in any previous claim wherein said inner core includes a honeycomb like structure having a series of cavities.

8. A carbon fiber rock bolt as claimed in claim 1 to claim 6 wherein said inner core is formed from a solid material.

9. A carbon fiber rock bolt as claimed in any previous claim wherein said inner core is formed from one of a 3D printed or extruded polymer blend, a toughened polymer coated polymer foam or a liquid.

10. A carbon fiber rock bolt as claimed in any previous claim wherein the fibre is anchored to a surface using one of a resin capsule, pumpable resin or a mechanical anchor.

11. A carbon fiber rock bolt as claimed in any previous claim further including a tensioning member at one end.

12. A carbon fiber rock bolt as claimed in claim 11 wherein said tensioning member includes one of a torque tensioning member, a hydraulic ramp, a rig mast or cable drum arrangement, or an expandable foam or core.

13. A carbon fiber rock bolt as claimed in any previous claim wherein said cable is terminated using either an encapsulation sleeve or socket arrangement, a wedge locking arrangement, a swaged sleeve or thimble arrangement, or a wire grip type member.

14. A carbon fiber rock bolt as claimed in any previous claim wherein the direction of twist of adjacent carbon fiber filaments is alternated.

15. A carbon fiber restraint apparatus including: an outer carbon fiber rope including a series of tow fibers; an inner core material; such that, as the tension on the carbon fiber rope increases beyond a predetermined limit, the inner core material undergoes a radial compression as the carbon fiber rope undergoes an axial extension.

16. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a graph comparison of example specific tensile strengths;

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of ductile extension of a carbon fiber anchor;

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a rope twister;

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates a Carbolt force and extension relationship illustrating the four main behaviors;

[0029] FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 illustrate various fixing arrangements;

[0030] FIG. 8 to FIG. 11 illustrate various cable winding arrangements;

[0031] FIG. 12 to FIG. 14 illustrate various tensioning arrangements;

[0032] FIG. 15 illustrates one possible realization of the Carbolt concept utilizing resin capsules for the cable anchoring, a solid core, torque tensioning and socket encapsulation;

[0033] FIG. 16 illustrates another possible realization of the Carbolt concept similar to the one in FIG. 15 but utilizing a wedge socket instead of socket encapsulation;

[0034] FIG. 17 illustrates another possible realization of the Carbolt concept utilizing a pumpable resin for the cable anchoring, a hollow core, a cable reel to deploy and tension the cable and an encapsulated sleeve for cable termination;

[0035] FIG. 18 illustrates a Snapshot of potential Carbolt core designs;

[0036] FIG. 19 illustrates an example of internal and external services delivery concepts;

[0037] FIG. 20 illustrates Minova Quick-Chem? Lokset? resin capsule insertion accessories;

[0038] FIG. 21 illustrates simple wire lock as potential Carbolt centering accessory;

[0039] FIG. 22 illustrates an orange sensor fiber is being integrated into the Carbolt;

[0040] FIG. 23 is an illustration of the threaded socket concept showing the (left) toque nut in blue;

[0041] FIG. 24 illustrates a section view of the threaded termination socket in red

[0042] FIG. 25 is an illustration of the wedge-locking concept showing the (left) wedge-locking assembly in red and the wedge in blue

[0043] FIG. 26 illustrates a sectional view through the arrangement of FIG. 25.

[0044] FIG. 27 illustrates a cable-tension assembly;

[0045] FIG. 28 illustrates a section view showing the termination socket in red;

[0046] FIG. 29 illustrates a simple core design used in the 3D-printed core concept;

[0047] FIG. 30 illustrates the 3D printed Carbolt core with the Carbolt strands seated along the outer diameter of the core;

[0048] FIG. 31 illustrates different Carbolt cores printed with different mechanical properties. Cores on the left are more flexible and cores on the right are more stiff;

[0049] FIG. 32 illustrates a Custom socket design;

[0050] FIG. 33 illustrates a commercial termination socket;

[0051] FIG. 34 illustrates modelled filament paths in pultruded and twisted structures;

[0052] FIG. 35 illustrates multi-ply laid cable structure;

[0053] FIG. 36 illustrates a Schematic of a pilot twister;

[0054] FIG. 37 illustrates back-twisting 9 strands of 12-ply CF around 3D printed core;

[0055] FIG. 38 illustrates a Carbolt with custom termination sockets ready for testing;

[0056] FIG. 39 illustrates a plot of tensile test for Carbolt CB9-L (wax core);

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] The preferred embodiments provide an advanced rock support system in the form of a carbon fiber rope, hereinafter denoted the Carbolt, that can either be manufactured in pre-determined lengths, or in bulk and rolled onto a drum for deployment into a drill hole by a designated machine before being cut to length as needed during the installation.

[0058] For single tows the full carbon fiber strength, as specified by the manufacturer, could be achieved when using a high extension (130%) epoxy resin. When four strands of tow were combined by hand the strength was reduced which is indicative of uneven tension in the tow strands, a risk when forming by hand and not seen in commercial pultrusion. The strength reduction in twisted 4 ply was of the same order indicating that the twisting was not impacting significantly on the overall tensile strength. An industrially produced Carbolt at 510 g/m (with a resin fraction of 60%) and 25 mm diameter could have a strength in excess of 400 kN (40 tons).

[0059] The Carbolt was also able to withstand significant shear forces. Due to its flexibility, it was able to deform, undergoing a displacement of 30 mm before the shear test box ran out of travel. Further, the ductile behavior, required to release the load stresses in the roof, was demonstrated with a Carbolt containing a modified core.

[0060] Twisting significantly longer carbon strands allows uniform pre-tension in all carbon filaments during the twisting and cable forming phases to be achieved, as is routinely done in the production of technical ropes and cables. The Carbolt can also include a unique locking mechanism that locks the carbon fiber strands of the rope without damaging them. This locking mechanism forms part of a new bearing plate design and a number of different designs.

[0061] Throughout the duration of an example roadway lifetime, wall and rock movement may be evident, but often not monitored. The ability of integrating optical sensing fibers into the carbon fiber composite structure of the Carbolt enables the monitoring of tensile stresses continuously along the bolt.

INTRODUCTION

[0062] The embodiments provide for a carbon fiber rock bolt, in the form of a carbon fiber rope, that can either be manufactured in pre-determined lengths, or in bulk and rolled onto a drum for deployment into a drill hole by a designated machine before being cut to length as needed during the installation. The Carbolt also provides a new locking mechanism that locks the carbon fiber strands of the rope without damaging them. This locking mechanism can form part of a new bearing plate design.

[0063] The composite structure of the Carbolt allows the integration of optical fiber sensors into the carbon fiber rope to monitor the tensile stress continuously along the bolt.

[0064] The embodiments provide a coil-able, carbon-fiber based, instrumented rock bolt prototype. That includes: the ability to be installed similarly to a cable-bolt; a cable design that offers axial support and shear-load capacity and therefore provides support against lateral rock movement; the ability to undergo ductile extension prior to ultimate failure; the design of a Carbolt locking mechanism, which can be pre- and re-tensioned, with the load bearing plate; and an optical fiber sensor, integrated into the rope during the manufacturing stage, to enable the ability for monitoring of rock movements.

[0065] A carbon-fiber based rock bolt will be able to endure a higher tensile load than a comparable diameter or weight steel rock bolt. The carbon-fiber structure allows ductile extension of the Carbolt to occur at a predetermined tensile loading, prior to reaching its breaking load. The use of carbon-fiber eliminates corrosion problems occurring with metal bolts and the associated degradation of the roof support system, and therefore extends the lifetime of the support system. Resin, injected after fiber assembly is set in place, offers improved interfacial bonding between fiber and rock substrate, improving tensile and sheer performance. The integration of fiber optic sensors allows monitoring of tension strain continuously along the bolt, enabling geo-technical engineers to assess the effectiveness of the support system and get early warning of localized movement throughout the Carbolt's service life.

[0066] The Carbolt installation procedure can be simple, especially in cases where the rock formation requires different length of rock bolts and/or a combination of rock bolts and cable bolts, as all cases can be serviced by the Carbolt. Only a minimal mass needs to be handled by the operator as the Carbolt is lighter than steel and also can be coiled up on a drum and cut to length during the installation.

[0067] The Carbolt, that is designed as an improved and advanced roof support and strata control system, has, by its very nature, the potential to improve the underground safety dramatically. These benefits arise from the fact that a carbon-fibre-based strata control system can be expected to tolerate much higher loads than comparable sized steel products, while not being susceptible to material fatigue from corrosion. On top of the enhanced load capacity, a Carbolt can be expected to be significantly lighter than a steel support system. This is expected to reduce the number of injuries and health issues caused by the manual handling during the installation of the support system. Instrumented roof support systems are already available on the market. However, typically they have to be installed separately as they don't provide a support function, and therefore slow down the roadway development process, and/or they are only installed at a limited number of locations throughout the mine, which limits the accuracy of the geo-technical assessment. Having a sensor system integrated into the standard roof support system during the manufacturing process will offer the possibility to monitor the integrity of the strata control system throughout the entire mine, providing a full geo-technical picture of the mine. Even if circumstances change, e.g. through earthquakes or other activities outside the current mine working area, no additional monitoring needs to be installed.

Technology Review

[0068] Roof support systems for mining applications are typically manufactured from High-Tensile Steel, and in some circumstances from Fiber-Glass composite materials. However, materials with much higher specific tensile load capacities are available nowadays, see FIG. 1, and there is an opportunity to apply this technology to the mining industry.

[0069] The embodiments include a carbon fiber anchor. Traditionally, carbon-fiber structures are known for their high tensile load capacity, exceeding comparable steel structures as shown in FIG. 1, but also for being brittle and abrupt failure. In the embodiments, a new anchor was designed to have a ductile phase and initial trials demonstrate that a carbon fiber structure can display ductility prior to failure under tension.

[0070] For example, FIG. 2 illustrates the extension of a carbon-fiber sample anchor with 10 mm in diameter. The carbon-fiber structure can be modified during manufacture process to provide a ductile mode of failure rather than the typical sudden failure normally expected from carbon fiber composites.

[0071] The carbon fiber anchor can be initially created using a twisting machine, such as that shown in FIG. 3. The machine is preferably able to manufacture twisted cables from carbon fiber tows of various sizes. A fiber tow is a bundle of fibers with typically between 1-thousand and 50-thousand individual filament fibers. The ductility can be achieved and regulated through introduction of a collapsible core into the carbon fiber cable assembly.

Carbolt Concept Development

[0072] The Carbolt is an engineering system which is made up of different, inter-connected components These include the carbon fiber, the core, any integrated sensors, assembly, anchoring of each end and termination.

[0073] A system-level concept exploration process was performed to gain a better understanding of the key functional components, the risks, unknowns, technology gaps and research questions; and the interconnections and overall complexity of the Carbolt system. This understanding was then used to focus the sub-components concept development phase and the experimental proof of concept phase. The functional requirements and concept development process is described in the following sections.

Functional Requirements

[0074] A Carbolt needs to be light-weight, corrosion resistant and flexible. The values provided in Table 1 were used as a guide for developing the Carbolt concept solution.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Functional requirement guide for the Carbolt Requirement Value Tensile support 270 kN at capability (failure) 20% extension, Footprint (diameter) 24 mm of Carbolt Supported grouting similar to current mine- methods typical installation Further desired significantly lighter than requirements current standard rock bolts

[0075] The Carbolt is desired to allow for approximately 20% of extension in the rock mass before failure. This extension consists four main behaviors: 1. an initial tensile resistance (up to roughly 200 kN of force with an extension of between 5% and 10%); 2. a controlled extension (core collapse) where the Carbolt allows for an extension of between 5% and 15% at around 200 kN; 3. a final tensile resistance of up to 270 kN and between 15% and 20% extension; and 4. a failure at or above 270 kN. These behaviors are illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0076] A technology exploration process was followed to develop a matrix for the Carbolt concept. The exploration considered various technologies and methodologies for: 1. anchoring of the Carbolt in the hole; 2. the design of the cable; 3. tensioning of the Carbolt; and 4. termination of the Carbolt. Other performance criteria include: the ease of the installation of the component, the ease to manufacture the component; the cost of the component; and the risk or difficulties to realize the component.

Hole Anchor Method

[0077] A number of different anchoring methods were considered as illustrated in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7. In FIG. 5, standard resin capsules (sausages) could be used to either resin or grout the Carbolt in. For this to work, the Carbolt tip will need to be hard enough to penetrate the capsule. Further, the Carbolt string needs to be stiff enough so that it can be spun around to mix the two components in the capsule.

[0078] In FIG. 6, a pumpable resin or grout option is provided which could be injected through the Carbolt, provided the Carbolt is equipped with a hollow core. This approach might require the development of new resin or grout formulations.

[0079] In FIG. 7, a mechanical anchor, for example, an expansion bolt, could be used to lock the Carbolt tip in place. However, given the Carbolt is designed to be flexible it is expected this will be difficult to realize without additional installation tools.

Cable Design

[0080] A number of cable designs options were considered, with reference to FIG. 8 to FIG. 11.

[0081] For example, in FIG. 8, the cable or rope of the Carbolt could be supplied as dry Carbon Fibers, wrapped around a solid core. However, handling dry fibers bears risks associated with damage to the fine fibers and possible skin irritation. Further, fully saturating the dry fiber with resin in the hole presents a difficult engineering task.

[0082] As illustrated in FIG. 9, instead of wrapping the carbon fibers around a solid core a hollow core could be used to enable the injection of resin or grout during the installation. Considering that the core needs to be collapsible to allow the ductile extension of the Carbolt, keeping an opening, or a collapsible center, if a resin or grout plug hardens within the hollow core, may be difficult.

[0083] As illustrated in FIG. 10, alternative to dry fibers, the carbon rope could be manufactured from resin pre-impregnated fibers, which will remove the risks associated with dry fiber handling. However, a resin with high extension needs to be used rather than the typical carbon fiber resins that are brittle and very inflexible. As illustrated in FIG. 11, similar to the dry hollow core an encapsulated hollow core could be utilized, which may be difficult in practice.

Tensioning Methods

[0084] A number of tensioning methods were considered. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a torque tensioning mechanism would provide a simple method to tension and re-tension the Carbolt, provided the cable or rope can be terminated in a free-spinning, threaded ferrule.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 13, hydraulic ramps are typically used to tension steel cable bolts. However, the gripper mechanism would need adaptation to avoid damaging the carbon fiber rope.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 14, a tensioning method often used in the United States is the roof compression utilizing the rig mast prior to tightening the bolt nut and then expanding the roof again. However, this method seems to be unpopular in other countries.

[0087] An expandable foam could be pumped into the Carbolt rope. As the foam expands it will increase the diameter of the rope and at the same time shorten the rope in accordance to Poisson's ratio. While this principle is simple it is expected to be difficult to achieve a reproduceable tensioning value. Further, this method does not allow re-tensioning and will be difficult to combine with a hollow core.

[0088] Similar to the expandable foam, a pressurized core could be realized by pumping it up with mine water, or similar. It is expected that the pressure could be better controlled than the chemical reaction causing the foam to expand. Sealing the Carbolt rope against pressure losses will present an engineering challenge, but provided the Carbolt is equipped with a pressure valve it would be possible to re-tensioning the bolt.

[0089] For a Variable Length Carbolt system, where the Carbolt rope is reeled off a wheel, the wheel could be wound back once the anchor is set in place to pull the rope and tension the Carbolt.

Carbolt Termination Methods

[0090] Many cable termination methods were also considered, with particular consideration to not crush the fiber core. These methods include encapsulated sleeves (known for carbon fibers) and socket encapsulation (known for cable bolts), but also more flexible, i.e. easier to re-tension, arrangements like wedge sockets and wedge and collar methods. Other options investigated included swaged sleeves and thimble methods as well as various forms of cable grip types.

[0091] Several potential realizations of the different Carbolt key components are listed and explained in the sections above. While there are many possibilities to combine those different methods, three Carbolt concepts are explained here exemplarily in more detail.

Concept 1: Carbolt Concept Utilizing Resin Capsules for the Cable Anchoring, a Solid Core, Torque Tensioning and Socket Encapsulation

[0092] As illustrated in FIG. 15, the concept 1 uses socket encapsulation as a method for terminating the Carbolt. The socket is machined with an external thread which allows for tensioning by applying torque to a nut (similar to current rock reinforcement practices). The current concept is envisaged to be used with resin capsules; however, it can be modified to support other methods. Socket termination is currently used to terminate similar systems and is therefore expected to be a low-risk solution relative to the other concepts. This solution is also likely to be a relatively low-cost, easy to install and easy-to-manufacture solution. It is expected that this solution would not be suitable for in-situ fiber construction due to the resin termination procedure.

Concept 2: Carbolt Concept Similar to Concept 1 but Utilizing a Wedge Socket

[0093] FIG. 16 illustrates the concept 2. The wedge-locking socket concept was provided due to its ability to support the cutting and termination of the Carbolt in-situ. The concept uses a wedge-locking termination method. The cable can be inserted into the hole through a wedge-locking assembly. A wedge is then inserted into wedge-locking assembly to terminate the Carbolt. Tension can be applied by applying torque to bolts located on each side of the wedge-locking assembly. This concept is not expected to be as cost-effective, low-risk, easy to install and easy to manufacture as the threaded socket concept. The value of this concept is, however, in its ability to allow the Carbolt to be cut to any length and terminated in-situ.

Concept 3: Carbolt Concept Utilizing a Pumpable Resin for the Cable Anchoring, a Hollow Core, a Cable Reel to Deploy and Tension the Cable and an Encapsulated Sleeve for Cable Termination

[0094] The third concept illustrated in FIG. 17. This solution supports the drum-deployable Carbolt concept and uses different types of pumpable resin. This concept involves deploying the Carbolt into the hole using a cable-reel. Resin is pumped into the hole to retain, encapsulate and the terminate the Carbolt. The termination socket is designed such that resin can be pumped through it to encapsulate and terminate the Carbolt. Pre-tensioning can be performed by applying a load to the rock face prior to curing of the resin or by using quick setting resin (at the distal end of the Carbolt) and applying tension using the cable drum or another tensioning method. This solution supports the ability for in-situ customized length rock bolt construction and is expected to be a relatively low-cost, easy to install and easy-to-manufacture solution. The main challenge with this solution is the risks associated with the pumpable resin.

Concept Exploration Summary

[0095] The concept exploration process produced a number of concept solutions. It was found that the interconnections between all of the Carbolt components, the pre-tensioning requirements, the type of resin/encapsulation and the desire to determine the rock bolt length in-situ has a large impact on the final concept solution. For example, the pre-tensioning method or ability to construct variable length Carbolts (requiring specific installation procedures) may limit or restrict the termination methodology and resin type.

Component-Level Concept Development

[0096] The following sections provides details relating to key components of the Carbolt.

The Carbon Fiber Strands

[0097] The carbon fiber in a carbon fiber composite is the primary load bearing element with the resin matrix functioning to transfer load between adjacent carbon fibers in the structure. Maximum tensile strength is obtained by running all carbon fibers parallel within the structure, which also maximizes packing density and hence the specific strength of the structure. This is typically achieved by a pultrusion process. Fiber (filament) winding and roll wrapping processes produce rods and tubes that have a lower ultimate tensile strength but that can tolerate higher torque, compression and deflection without splitting. Pultruded glass fiber composites rock bolts are available but exhibit no ductility prior to failure. The Carbolt structure was conceived to address this, with all carbon fibers orientated at an angle around a functional core. Two alternate structures considered, being either a multilayer braid or a multi-strand laid cable.

The Carbolt Core

[0098] The key functions of the Carbolt core are to: provide a semi-rigid structure on which the twisted carbon fiber strands are laid; provide compressive and torsional rigidity to penetrate and mix resin capsules (if used); provide infrastructure for services such as resin, grout, return air, etc.; and collapse, allowing the Carbolt fiber angle to decrease and hence the Carbolt length to extend at a predetermined load giving a ductile-like response to increasing tension prior to reaching maximum load and ultimate failure.

[0099] As illustrated in FIG. 18, a technology review and concept exploration process was performed to identify suitable core concepts. A total of 14 potential core concepts were identified. The following performance criteria were considered during the concept exploration process: the ability to provide torsional pliability; the ability to provide tensile pliability; the ability to provide compressive pliability; and the complexity or manufacturability.

[0100] Recent developments in additive manufacturing techniques have enabled many new design capabilities in terms of design geometry and material properties. There are therefore many different potential concept solutions. Of the many potential inner-core structures investigated, the honeycomb structure was particularly appealing. Honeycomb structures have a relatively high compressive resistance and can be designed to collapse at a constant rate.

Encapsulation/Grouting

[0101] Depending on retention and termination method, the Carbolt may need to provide the infrastructure required for various types of services such as grout, resin, instrumentation and displaced gas. Resin-based solutions may also require some form of mixing which could potentially be performed in the hole. Services can be delivered to the hole internally or externally to the Carbolt structure. The hole and Carbolt diameter would have to be considered to support the infrastructure required for these services. FIG. 19 illustrates various ways in which these concepts could be realized.

Hole Retention

[0102] The Carbolt may need to be inserted and retained in the hole to assist the installation process. There are a variety of different commercial solutions available for inserting and retaining resin capsules in the hole (shown in FIG. 20). These retention methods can be adapted to suite the Carbolt design. A simple wire-locking method that will retain and center the Carbolt during the installation process is shown in FIG. 21.

Integrated Sensor

[0103] One alternative embodiment of the Carbolt includes an integrated sensing system, enabling geo-technical engineers to evaluate the effectiveness of the roof support system. Traditionally, electrical strain gauges have been used for this purpose, however they have quite a number of disadvantages as laid out in [5]. Optical fibers on the other hand provide the opportunity to integrate a distributed sensor, covering the entire length of the bolt at high spatial resolution, without altering the bolt structurally. An optical fiber can therefore be integrated and twisted into the Carbolt structure as can be seen in FIG. 22.

[0104] Through the winding process the optical fiber will end up in a helical formation along the Carbolt. This sensor design is similar to that disclosed in Australian patent application: 2015283817, entitled Deformation measurement method and apparatus, and corresponding United States Patent Application 20180171778.

Anchoring and Termination Methodology

[0105] Three potential anchoring and termination methods were identified in the system-level concept exploration phase. Further details associated with each of the methods are described below.

Threaded Socket Concept

[0106] This concept works by encapsulating the end of the Carbolt in a termination socket prior to or during the installation process. The socket encapsulation starts by brooming or flaring the Carbolt strands within a tapered socket. The broomed strands are then set in the socket using a high modulus potting resin. As tension is applied to the Carbolt, the resin and broomed fiber are wedged into the taper applying a clamping force to the strands to augment the interfacial resin/fiber bond. This concept uses an externally threaded socket assembly allowing pre-tensioning and retention by applying torque to the nut. An illustration of the threaded socket concept is shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24.

[0107] Some key attributes of this concept include: simpler design, supports various forms for encapsulation/grouting and point anchoring, supports the use of both internal and external delivery services, may require the Carbolt to be cut and terminated prior to installing at the work site,

The Wedge-Locking Concept

[0108] This concept works by terminating the Carbolt using a wedge-locking method in-situ. The Carbolt is fed through a washer plate into the drilled hole and cut to the required length. The fiber is then routed through a wedge-block and terminated using a wedge-locking system. As tension is applied to the Carbolt, the wedge insert is wedged into the housing applying a clamping force to the Carbolt structure. The Carbolt is pre-tensioned by applying a torque to bolts on each corner of the wedge block assembly. An illustration of the extendable wedge-locking concept is shown in FIG. 25 and FIG. 26.

[0109] Some key attributes of this concept include: a more complex design, supports the in-situ cuttable Carbolt, may limit methods of encapsulation/grouting and point anchoring due to the use of the wedge block, and may require longer installation times due to the use of the wedge block

The Cable-Tension Concept

[0110] This concept is illustrated in FIG. 27 and FIG. 28. This concept works by deploying the Carbolt using a cable drum. The reel is unwound, feeding the cable through a termination socket and the washer plate into the hole. Resin is then pumped into the center of the Carbolt or through the termination socket and into the cavities between the Carbolt and rock mass. The resin encapsulates the fiber and fills the socket cavity (effectively terminating the Carbolt).

[0111] Some key attributes of this concept include: a simple design with relatively low complexity, supports the use of both internal and external delivery services, supports the in-situ cuttable Carbolt concept, is likely to result in faster installation times, development of the pumpable resin may introduce additional engineering and research development requirements.

Component-Level Testing

[0112] This section describes the development and design of the proof-of-concept version of the Carbolt components and includes the outcomes from validation studies. The objective of the proof-of-concept was to demonstrate the ability of the Carbolt to withstand the high tensile and shear loads as well as demonstrate a ductile like force-extension relationship.

[0113] A prototype simplified version of the threaded socket concept was constructed. It was expected that this solution would be a suitable solution to achieve the objectives of the proof-of-concept phase. This section provides details relating to components of the proof-of-concept design.

Carbolt Fiber and Resin Matrix

[0114] There are five broad types of carbon fiber. As tensile strength increases modulus decreases so a choice needs to be made based on the properties required and cost over alternative materials. This includes Ultra-high-modulus, type UHM (modulus >450 Gpa), High-modulus, type HM (modulus between 350-450 Gpa), Intermediate-modulus, type IM (modulus between 200-350 Gpa), Low modulus and high-tensile, type HT (modulus <100 Gpa, tensile strength >3.0 Gpa), Super high-tensile, type SHT (tensile strength >4.5 Gpa).

[0115] For Carbolt, tensile strength is of primary importance, weight is not critical, and a commercial application would be highly price sensitive. Therefore, intermediate modulus carbon fiber tows were evaluated. The second criteria considered was tow count, that is the number of carbon fiber filaments in the carbon fiber tow. High count tows are more cost effective when comparing price per kilogram of carbon and also reduce the number of strands that need to be twisted (or braided) together to form the final Carbolt. Three high count tows were trialed, 12K, 25K and 50K. The tow count being the number of carbon fiber filaments in the tow, 12K for example being a tow with 12,000 filaments. Initially, a 25K tow was chosen for the initial Carbolt.

[0116] The choice of resin matrix is even boarder than the carbon fiber options, and in many commercial applications is specifically formulated for the end use. A resin system for the Carbolt needed to meet two main criteria. The first was that it had to be compatible with the carbon fiber, that is to say, it had to match the sizing used on the carbon fiber during tow manufacture. Most carbon fiber produced is sized with an epoxy and are generally not compatible with polyurethane and polyester resins. This is a disadvantage as epoxy resins are typically more expensive and normally have very low extension. The Carbolt resin matrix also needs high extension for the Carbolt is to achieve the desired performance in terms of shear strength and ductility. Other resin formulations can also be used.

[0117] For this work a single epoxy resin system was used. The epoxy chosen was unique having an extension of over 130% (where most epoxies used in the carbon fiber industry have an extension of <3%). Unfortunately, it had a very slow rate of cure, but this was tolerated for this initial work.

Carbolt Core

[0118] Two simple core concepts were considered in the initial design. The first approach, illustrated in FIG. 29, was based on an additive manufacturing process (3D printing) and the second was based on a closed cell polyethylene foam core with a thin coat of a brittle (low extension) epoxy. In both cases a simple core provided a semi-rigid structure on which the carbon fiber strands were twisted and allowed the Carbolt structure to collapse/extend at a predetermined load to allow for relative rock mass movement before failure.

[0119] The 3D printed core, as per FIG. 29, was designed with nine helical grooves (5 mm diameter) running along the outer 18 mm diameter of the core. The grooves allowed for the seating of the carbon fiber strands during the manufacturing process. A 5 mm diameter void was included in the center of the core. It was envisaged that the following behaviors would occur: 1. an initial tensile resistance as the twisted carbon strands bear the load and the core material supports the compressive force induced by tension on the twisted carbon strands; 2. an extension of the Carbolt as the wall of the core fails and is compressed into the void in the center and the angle of twist in the carbon strands decreases; 3. a secondary tensile resistance as the core becomes fully collapsed and the load continues to be taken up by the now straighter Carbolt strands; and 4. eventual failure of the structure as the Carbolt strands fail. The Carbolt core design is illustrated in FIG. 30.

[0120] The 3D printed cores were manufactured using Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) technology. This method allowed for the blending of different materials to achieve different mechanical properties including tensile strength, elongation at break, shore hardness and tensile tear resistance. Of particular interest, was the shore hardness which can be relatable to the stiffness of a material. Nine initial cores were printed with varying material properties as shown in FIG. 31 to demonstrate this concept. Three cores consisting of a rigid, semi-rigid and flexible material were printed for lab-based proof-of-concept testing.

Termination

[0121] A socket termination method was used to terminate the Carbolt on each end as this method is currently used to terminate various types of fiber-based ropes and was envisaged to be a relatively low risk solution compared to other methods. Furthermore, this solution provided flexibility in terms of critical dimensions and potting material. Initial tests used a custom designed socket but the socket internal taper in conjunction with the potting resin used proved unable to sustain the required load. A commercially available socket used for terminating wire cables was used successfully with both high compressive strength polyester and epoxy resins loaded with fine abrasive particles (silica or garnet respectively). Other example resins can be found in [10].

Carbolt Manufacturing

[0122] The angle of twist of the carbon fiber tow, plies and strands is important to ensuring all carbon fiber filaments see the same loading when the Carbolt is placed under tensile of shear loading as well as when the Carbolt undergoes ductile extension prior to ultimate failure. In a pultruded fiber rock bolt, all fibers in the structure are linear as in the first schematic in FIG. 34 and should be exposed to the same load (if terminated well). It is also important to maintain a uniform path length in a wrapped (twisted or braided) structure to ensure that all fibers in the structure bear the same load when under shear or tensile load. Examples of this are shown in the second and third schematic of FIG. 34.

[0123] Variation in filament path lengths in a twisted cable can be reduced by building up the cable strands from smaller twisted sub-units described as plies and illustrated in FIG. 35.

[0124] To balance the torque induced by twisting essentially inelastic filaments it is necessary alternate the direction of the twist that is inserted into the ply. The pilot twister was designed to twist from two up to twelve primary strands in either S or Z (clockwise or anti-clockwise) direction and back-twist (twist in the opposite direction) the twisted primary strands either simultaneously or independently of inserting the primary twist. The number of turns of primary and back-twist can be independently programmed while strand tension is maintained during twisting using a counterweight. The absolute tensile load applied can be varied by altering the mass of the counterweight. FIG. 36 illustrates an example twister. Hence the twister can produce multi-lay cables by building up intermediate ply strands and to make cables with or without a core. The bed length was two meters.

Materials Used in Carbolt

[0125] Carbon tow: The primary carbon fiber used for the Carbolt trials was SGL's Sigrafil C T24-5.0/270-E100, a 24k (24-thousand filament) continuous filament carbon fiber tow. This is an intermediate modulus carbon fiber equivalent to the industry standard T300 from Toray, see table 2. The 24K was selected out of 12, 24 and 50K option after initial trials to determine the heaviest count (thickest) carbon tow that could be reliably twisted to form the multi-ply twisted strands needed for laying around a core forming a twisted carbon fiber cable, the Carbolt.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Key parameter of the Carbon fiber tows used Typical C T24-5.0/ T620SC 24K Property Units 270-E100 50 C - AQ854-31 Number of filaments 24k 24k Fineness of Tex 1600 1800-1900 yarn dry (g/1000 m) Density g/cm.sup.3 1.79 1.73-1.81 Single filament ?m 6.9 NA Tensile strength GPa 5.0 min 3.92 Tensile modulus GPa 270 243 Elongation at break % 1.90 min 1.6 Sizing type Epoxy Epoxy Sizing content % 1.0 0.8-1.6

[0126] Core: As previously described two different cores were used, 3D printed cores with three variations of an Agilus30 polymer blends giving different compressive strengths and an epoxy coated closed cell polyethylene foam core. At the end of trials when it became apparent that neither core was performing as desired a more controllable paraffin wax core was used for a couple of Carbolts and the data from this core is also reported.

Infusion Resin

[0127] Sicomin SR8160/SD 815 B2 resin/hardener system was chosen for its very high elongation at break at greater than 130% (typical elongation for epoxies used in carbon composites is less than 3%).

[0128] For the Carbolt to display ductile-like extension under tensile load, it is desired for the Carbolt core material to reduce in volume at a predetermined load. A number of different core material were used, selected for their different compressive strengths. The 3D printed cores have been described above in detail. Three cores were selected from the range of compressive strength/flexibilities produced to test the maximum Carbolt extension. To maximize the reduction in core volume a small number of Carbolts were made with a 13 mm diameter closed cell foam core which could give a volume reduction of over 90%. To increase the foam cores initial compressive strength these cores were coated with a brittle epoxy resin. A 0.7 mm brittle shell was formed using 30 g of West Systems 105/205 epoxy mixed with 5 mL of glass microspheres (to increase its viscosity to facilitate rotary coating) per linear meter of the core.

[0129] A small number Carbolts with wax cores were also produced with the aim of more clearly demonstrating the ductile performance that could be achieved as the other cores where not optimized in this work for compressive strength.

[0130] Resin impregnation of a carbon fiber structure is ideally achieved by forcing a resin flow through the fiber within a mold or other constraining system. The force can be supplied by vacuum or pressure (or a combination). For this work vacuum infusion offered the simplest route to achieving a high fiber/resin fraction while minimizing voids (air bubbles leading to resin matrix discontinuities through the structure). Both a custom silicone mold and more traditional vacuum bagging were tried but failed due to the degree of fiber compaction in the twisted strands making it difficult to get complete infusion of the bolt prior to the resin starting to gel. Therefore, a wet layup was used without pressure or vacuum assistance.

Potting Carbolt Terminations and Carbon Fiber Tow Tabs

[0131] Tabs are generally used to terminate carbon tows and small diameter plies for mounting in hydraulic jaws of a tensile testing frame. Testing of tows and plies was done according to ASTM D4018 using West System G-Flex epoxy resin and glass microspheres to increase the viscosity. The same resin was used (without microspheres) to pot the Carbolt in the custom termination sockets but this was not able to withstand the load applied. Wirelock, a commercial polyester potting resin from Millfield Enterprises UK, designed for steel cables was tested in conjunction with steel cable spelters. This involved using a locally produced epoxy potting resin, Kinetix R246 epoxy resin with H160 hardener and loading it with the same weight fraction of fine garnet (80 mesh hard rock garnet) as the silica found in the Wirelock product. This was also successful so used for all tests with the wire spelters.

Carbolt Performance

[0132] A Carbolt was created as a carbon cable made from 108 strands of 24K carbon tow, constructed as 9 twisted plies or strands of carbon twisted around a core, where in turn each of the 9 strands are themselves built up from the original 24K carbon tow by twisting four strands of the 24K tow then back-twisting (to maintain torque balance) three of these four-ply strands to make one of the nine 12-ply strands that are twisted around the core.

[0133] The example structure is thus: 4?24K tows twisted in to a four-ply, 3?four-ply twisted in to a 12-ply, 9?12-ply twisted around a core to produce the final 9-strand laid Carbolt.

[0134] An example structure is illustrated in FIG. 37 and FIG. 38. Because the structure is built up sequentially as described above it was possible to test the tensile performance of samples of each of the 4 ply and 12 ply structures independently from the Carbolt, and compare the results with composites constructed from the same number of aligned carbon fiber tows (tow tests) and as twisted carbon fiber composites (ply tests), the results of which are summarized below in table 3 and table 4.

[0135] These component tests established that: The high extension resin system used for the Carbolts did not adversely impact on the manufactures stated performance (which is tested with a low extension resin, typically <5% extension compared to the resin used in this work with an extension >130%). It is difficult to get all fibers evenly tensioned when preparing lab scale structures, hence as the number of tows combined increases the measured tensile performance reduces to nearly 50% of the expected result when combining 12 tows whether the fiber is aligned or twisted. This is thought to be an artefact of the production scale, not of the structure per-se. It was possible to show minimal reduction in tensile strength caused by twisting a small number of plies.

Tensile performance of Carbolt components

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Tensile test results for SGL carbon tow SGL 24K carbon fiber Description Unit 24K 4 ? 24K 4 Ply 12 ? 24K 12 Ply Breaking stress GPa 4.22 3.03 4.12 2.45 2.34 Average % spec 84 61 82 49 47 Breaking stress GPa 4.65 3.57 4.38 2.56 2.56 Maximum % spec 93 71 88 51 51

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Tensile test results for Toray carbon tow Toray 24K carbon fiber Description Unit 24K 4 ? 24K 4 Ply 12 ? 24K 12 Ply Breaking stress GPa 4.07 3.24 2.87 2.40 2.17 Average % spec 90 72 64 53 48 Breaking stress GPa 4.50 3.82 3.08 2.65 2.38 Maximum % spec 100 85 68 59 53
Tensile Strength Performance of Carbolt Design (9?12 Ply with Different Cores of 12 mm ?)

[0136] As seen in the tensile results for the four and twelve tows as well as the plies above and due to the complexity of manual manufacturing of the multi-stranded carbon fiber composites the specific strength achieved actually decreases as more tows are added. This also happens when nine strands of the 12-ply strands are twisted and wrapped around the cores to form the Carbolt. As a result, the tensile strengths for the Carbolts were significantly less than expected, with the best result being only 33% of the strength that would be obtained from a commercial pultrusion of this number of tows. Despite these low results, there is sufficient evidence in the series below and the component tests to indicate that if made commercially, where tow tensions can be accurately managed during cable construction, 80-90% of the pultruded composite strength could be achieved. This would produce a Carbolt at 510 g/m (with a typical resin fraction of 60%) and 25 mm diameter with a strength in excess of 400 kN (40 tons).

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Carbolt tensile test results Tensile strength - % Carbolt Carbolt max (kN) spec Termination Core Notes CB-B5-R 132 28 Spelter PE foam Al bar, CB infused before termination CB9-R 90 19 spelter Wax Al bar CB9-L 134 28 Spelter Wax Al bar CB7-L 124 26 Spelter Rigid Al bar CB8-R (80) 17 Spelter wax Failed while CB6-R 93 20 Spelter Flexible melting wax CB5-R 110 23 Spelter Semi-rigid CB6-L 87 18 Spelter Flexible CB5-L 126 27 Spelter Semi-rigid CB-B5-L 156 33 Spelter PE foam CB-B3-L 38 8 Cu wrap PE foam CB-B2-R 70 15 Strand clamps PE foam CB-B3-R 110 23 Core expansion PE foam

Shear Strength

[0137] Various shear tests were conducted.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Carbolt shear test results Face Max Complete gap shear failure (Y/N) (mm) load (kN) Core *Notes CB-B2-L 18 19.97 Foam No: *Maximum shear displacement reached 12 22.5 No: *Maximum shear displacement reached 6 26 No: *Maximum shear displacement reached CB10 12 30.76 Foam No: *Maximum shear displacement reached *Loaded axially before shear force applied CB2-L 12 36.86 Rigid Almost: *Loaded axially before shear force applied

Ductility

[0138] A Carbolt core needs to withstand the transverse compressive load induced by the twisted carbon helix under tension until the Carbolt reached 70-80% of its ultimate strength. The structure of the Carbolt, the twisted helix around a core that could undergo a change in volume did however allow the principle of controlled extension under load to be demonstrated. Where a linear fiber array, as is found in a pultruded carbon composite, would have an extension of 1-1.5% the 9 strand Carbolt with a helix angle of 15% tested in this project had an extension of 3.2% with the rigid core, 5.1% with the semi-rigid and 6.5% with the wax core (after melting the wax). The desired extension can be engineered by altering the core properties and volume and the strand helix angle.

[0139] FIG. 39 illustrates a plot of Extension against tensile load. While not achieving the ultimate strength expected based on the number of tows due to the uneven strand tensions as already discussed, the plot does demonstrate the intended behavior of the Carbolt whereby at a predetermined load, 80 kN in the demonstration trial plotted, the Carbolt undergoes a known extension. This can be engineered to occur well before reaching its ultimate strength and then if the load increases further it eventually fails.

CONCLUSION

[0140] For single tows, the full carbon fiber strength, as specified by the manufacturer, could be achieved when using a high extension (?130%) epoxy resin. When four strands of tow were combined the strength was reduced by 15-30% which is indicative of uneven tension in the tow strands, a risk when forming by hand and not seen in commercial pultrusion. The strength reduction in twisted 4 ply was of the same order (19-32%) indicating that the twisting was not impacting significantly on the overall tensile strength. The same fluctuations in the pre-tension of different strands caused by variations in the manual manufacturing process prevented the full Carbolt from achieving the desired load capacity. Nevertheless, it can be extrapolated that an industrially produced Carbolt at 510 g/m (with a resin fraction of 60%) and 25 mm diameter could have a strength in excess of 400 kN (40 tons).

[0141] The Carbolt was found to be able to withstand significant shear forces. Due to its flexibility, it was able to deform under test, undergoing a displacement of 30 mm before the shear test box ran out of travel. Further, the ductile behavior, required to release the load stresses in the roof, was demonstrated with a Carbolt containing a modified core.

[0142] Twisting significantly longer carbon strands would allow uniform tension to be maintained in all carbon filaments during the twisting and cable forming phases to be achieved, as is routinely done in the commercial production of technical ropes and cables. This would then enable the Carbolt to achieve the tensile and shear strengths desired while retaining good ductile properties

Interpretation

[0143] As used herein, the term exemplary is used in the sense of providing examples, as opposed to indicating quality. That is, an exemplary embodiment is an embodiment provided as an example, as opposed to necessarily being an embodiment of exemplary quality.

[0144] It should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, Fig., or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure 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 claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[0145] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0146] Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a computer system or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention.

[0147] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is 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.

[0148] Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term coupled, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limited to direct connections only. The terms coupled and connected, along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. Coupled may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

[0149] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as falling within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.