Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CA 02678136 2009-09-08
WELDED MESH ROCK SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR BURSTING AND SQUEEZING
GROUND
SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a mesh panel for use as part of a rock
roof and/or wall
rock support system, and more preferably a welded metal panel which has
integrally formed
therewith a reinforcing complex which includes three or more #0, #1, and/or #2
gauge wire
reinforcing rods. The invention can be used in grounds where enhanced surface
retention
elements are required, such as under rock burst and squeezing conditions. The
invention
facilitates quick installation of rock support system and therefore reduces
the overall cost of
ground support.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In mine roof and rock wall support systems, it is known to anchor tendons
within bore
holes formed into the rock complex to reinforce the rock. The tendons can
consist of various
types such as mechanically operable rock bolts, rebar bolts, SwellexTM bolts,
cable bolt, friction
stabilizers such as Friction SetTM bolts, and the like. In virtually all
cases, a washer plate of
varying thickness and size is installed on the bolt to secure the bolt to the
rock. Some types of
tendons, more often called bolts, have a compression nut or other fastener
coupled onto the
projecting bolt end and which is used to tension the washer plate against the
rock to reinforce
and support the rock mass. Other bolts, such as the Swellex bolt, Friction Set
bolt and forged
head rock bolts and rebar have formed heads that cannot be tensioned, but
which are simply
pushed tight against the rock surface.
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CA 02678136 2009-09-08
Conventionally, tendons used in rock support systems for underground mining
applications consist of elongated rock bolts, rebar, conebolts, friction
stabilizers, Swellex, cable
bolts, etc. With such systems, following seating of the bolt in the bore hole,
sheets or rolls of
wire mesh screen are thereafter secured to the projecting end of the bolts
with a washer plate and
nut. The screens are provided to retain any localized loose rock which may
fall from the roof or
wall of the mine openings. In addition, if tensioned against the rock face,
the screen may add
additional support to the rock, by resisting any movement of the loose rock in
between the bolts.
Typically conventional mesh screen and panels must be manually raised into
position.
Bolts with pre-installed washer plates are then inserted through a screen
opening and then slid
into the drill hole. Depending on how each bolt is designed to function, the
bolts are then secured
in place. Alternatively in the case of bolts with threaded ends, conventional
mesh screen and
panels can be manually raised into position over the projecting bolt ends, and
secured in place
thereafter using a washer plate and a threaded nut or fastener. To minimize
weight and allow
manual placement, heretofore mesh screens have been manufactured as sheets or
rolls of #4 to
12 gauge steel wire. The screen sizes can vary depending on the bolting
pattern required,
however typical widths range from 1.2m to 2m and in the case of sheets, with
lengths of from
2.4m to 3.35m so as to maintain a sheet or roll weight of less than about 50
lbs.
It has been recognized, however, that the surface retaining elements are most
often the
weakest component in a rock support system. As such, while conventional mesh
screen may
operate adequately to retain smaller rock debris and material which may fall
or deform, it is
poorly suited to assist in rock retention in a rock burst situation where
dynamic loading is
expected.
To improve the overall performance of the rock support systems, consideration
has been
given to various methods of increasing the surface retention properties of the
mesh screen. In
one possible construction, separate heavy gauge metal straps could be secured
to the rock bolts in
a position overlying the conventional screens, as a second supplemental
support. However, the
applicant has appreciated that the requirement for an installer to separately
install such secondary
separate rock support components would further complicate the rock support
system installation,
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CA 02678136 2009-09-08
increasing both installation time and overall costs. In general, the second-
pass installation of
metal straps would be very costly, and may interfere with the normal
production schedule in a
mine. In addition, in installation, any supplemental support strap would need
to be coupled to the
projecting ends of the anchor bolts as a third component after the placement
of both the
compression nut and the primary screens. This therefore may necessitate the
use of either longer
threaded ends or less-deeply seated anchor tendons. Furthermore, the pre-
positioning and
anchoring of conventional metal screen ahead of any secondary strapping would
result in the
strapping being secured in place at distance spaced 5 to 10 cm from the rock
face, so as to be less
beneficial in rock retention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a present object of the invention is to provide a metal mesh
screen panel for
a mine roof and wall rock support system which is adapted for simplified
manual installation,
and which when installed is adapted to provide enhanced surface retention of
any localized loose
rock, so as to minimize the possibility of rock bursts and/or rock falls.
A further object of the invention is to provide an integrated weld mesh panel
for ground
support applications which has integrally formed therein a series of
reinforcing rods or wires
which have a diameter selected at about 2 gauge or greater, and which may be
used in
conjunction with conventional rock bolt tendons, including without
restriction, cable bolts,
rebars, SwellexTM tendon systems, and yielding tendon systems such as
conebolts and friction
sets for both static and/or dynamic rock support applications.
Another object of the invention is to provide a welded metal mesh panel for
use as part of
a surface rock support system which has been pre-incorporated therein as part
of a unitary
structure, a reinforcing complex which is configured to provide enhanced
surface retention
properties performance, while facilitating the rock support system
installation in a faster and
more economical manner.
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CA 02678136 2009-09-08
To at least partially achieve some of the aforementioned objects, the present
invention
provides for a rock support system which includes a welded mesh panel, and
which in a
preferred mode of installation is configured for securement over the
projecting ends of rock bolt
tendons for securement in substantially juxtaposed contact against a rock
complex. The mesh
panel is most preferably preformed as an integrated mesh panel having a length
of between about
2 to 4 metres, and preferably about 2.4 to 3.35 metres, and a lateral width of
between about 1 and
3 metres, and more preferably about 1.2 to 2 metres.
In simplified construction, the mesh panel is provided having a generally
rectangular
shape having parallel longitudinal extending sides and laterally extending
ends, however, square,
polygonal or other shaped panels may also be used. The panel is provided with
a number of
mesh openings which are defined laterally and longitudinally by a series of
first and second mesh
members, as well as a reinforcing complex which includes a number of
reinforcing wires or rods.
The first and second mesh members are most preferably provided in the form of
#4 to 12 gauge
metal wire or bar stock. In assembly, the first mesh wires are provided in an
equi-spaced and
generally parallel first alignment. The second mesh members which are provided
in a spaced
apart parallel second alignment, which although not essential, is most
preferably arranged
perpendicular to the first mesh members. The reinforcing wires or rods are
welded in a position
overlapping selected ones of the first and/or the second mesh members as part
of an integrated
reinforcing complex which is configured to provide enhanced structural
integrity to the panel,
and which avoids the requirement to separately apply secondary reinforcing
straps and the like,
thus making the installation of both static and dynamic rock support systems
in one-pass
possible.
In a simplified construction, the reinforcing complex consists of two or more
reinforcing
members which extend the longitudinal length and/or lateral width of the
panel, and which are
selected from #2 gauge, #1 gauge, or most preferably #0 gauge cylindrical
metal wire. The
reinforcing wires are most preferably provided as grouping of at least two
longitudinally and/or
laterally adjacent wires which are oriented in a parallel and equally spaced
apart arrangement. In
a most preferred construction, the first and second mesh members, and the
reinforcing wires are
welded to each other with a spacing selected at between about 7.5 to 15 cm,
and more preferably
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CA 02678136 2009-09-08
about 10 cm, so as to define an integral panel which has a number of generally
square mesh
openings therethrough. The reinforced longitudinal and laterally adjacent
wires can be spaced at
different distances from the remainder of the #4 to #12 gauge wires. An
example of such spacing
would be at the standard 100mm x 100mm of longitudinal and laterally adjacent
wires and the
reinforced #0 or #1 or #2 can be spaced at a lesser interval i.e. 50mm, to
further reinforce the
edges. The final panel dimensions and mesh opening size are selected to
provide the panel with
an overall weight of less than about 60 lbs, and most preferably less than 50
lbs.
In a most simplified construction, the reinforcing complex comprises at least
one
grouping of three or more #0 gauge steel reinforcing wires which extend
longitudinally
immediate-most to one longitudinal edge of the panel. The applicant has
appreciated that in such
a construction, the reinforcing complex may advantageously be overlapped with
a non-reinforced
longitudinal edge of a next adjacent panel. In alternate constructions,
however, the reinforcing
complex may include reinforcing wires provided down a lateral mid or end
portions of the panel,
and/or along both longitudinal and lateral edges.
Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention resides in a surface rock
support system
comprising, a mesh panel having generally parallel spaced first and second
side edges and
parallel spaced first and second ends, the panel being provided as an integral
unit and including,
a plurality of first mesh members, the first mesh members being provided in
general parallel
alignment with one of said first side edge and said first end, a plurality of
second mesh members,
the second mesh members being provided in general parallel alignment with each
other and the
other of said first side edge and said first end being coupled to said first
mesh members, and at
least one reinforcement complex comprising at least two elongated reinforcing
members coupled
to the first mesh members, the reinforcing members being generally equally
spaced from each
other and oriented in a generally parallel alignment with the second mesh
members, and wherein
each of the reinforcing members are selected from the group consisting of #0
gauge metal wire,
#1 gauge metal wire and #2 gauge metal wire.
In another aspect, the present invention resides a mine shaft rock wall
support system
comprising, a generally rectangular mesh panel having generally parallel
longitudinally
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CA 02678136 2009-09-08
extending first and second side edges, and generally parallel laterally
extending first and second
ends, the panel further including, a plurality of longitudinally extending
first mesh members,
each first mesh members being laterally spaced from a next adjacent first mesh
members, and a
plurality of laterally extending second mesh members, each second mesh members
being
longitudinally spaced from next adjacent second mesh member and coupled to
each of the
immediately adjacent first mesh members, a reinforcement complex comprising at
least four
elongated reinforcing members, the reinforcing members being generally
immediately adjacent
and spaced from each other and oriented in a generally parallel alignment with
the second mesh
members, and wherein each of the reinforcing members are coupled to each of
the immediately
adjacent first mesh members, wherein the reinforcing members are selected from
the group
consisting of #0 gauge round metal wire, #1 gauge round metal wire and #2
gauge round metal
wire.
In a further aspect the present invention resides in a mine wall rock support
system
comprising, an integral mesh panel having generally parallel longitudinally
extending first and
second side edges, and generally parallel laterally extending first and second
ends, the panel
further including, a plurality of longitudinally extending first mesh members
coupled to said first
mesh members, the first mesh members being laterally spaced from a next
adjacent first mesh
member, and a plurality of laterally extending second mesh members, the second
mesh members
being longitudinally spaced from next adjacent second mesh members and coupled
to each
immediately adjacent first mesh members, an edge reinforcement assembly
adjacent said first
side edge, the reinforcing assembly comprising at least three longitudinally
extending
reinforcement members, the longitudinally extending reinforcing members being
generally
spaced from each other and oriented in a generally parallel alignment with the
second mesh
members, and wherein each of the longitudinally extending reinforcing members
are coupled to
each immediately adjacent first mesh members, an end reinforcement assembly
adjacent said
first end, the end reinforcing assembly comprising at least three laterally
extending reinforcing
members, the laterally extending reinforcing members being generally spaced
from each other
and oriented in a generally parallel alignment with the first mesh members,
each of the laterally
extending reinforcing members being coupled to immediately adjacent ones of
said second mesh
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CA 02678136 2016-05-17
members and said longitudinally extending reinforcing members and comprising
#0
gauge cylindrical steel wire.
In yet another aspect the present invention resides in a surface rock support
system comprising, a welded mesh panel having generally parallel spaced first
and
second side edges and parallel spaced first and second ends, the panel being
provided as
an integral unit and including, a plurality of first mesh members, the first
mesh members
being provided in general parallel alignment with said first end, a plurality
of second
mesh members, the second mesh members being provided in general parallel
alignment
with each other and said first side edge, and being welded in direct
juxtaposition to said
first mesh members, and at least one reinforcement complex comprising at least
two
elongated reinforcing members welded in direct juxtaposition to the first mesh
members,
the reinforcing members being disposed adjacent said first side edge and
generally spaced
from each other, said reinforcing members being oriented in a generally
parallel
alignment with the second mesh members, and wherein each of the reinforcing
members
comprise a wire selected from the group consisting of #0 gauge metal wire, #1
gauge
metal wire and #2 gauge metal wire.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference may now be had to the following detailed description, taken together
with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective top view of a welded mesh panel for use in
a
mine roof rock support system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention;
Figure 2 shows an enlarged perspective end view of the panel shown in Figure
1;
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CA 02678136 2016-05-17
Figure 3 shows schematically the welded mesh panel of Figure 1 installed as
part
of a rock support system in the dynamic support of a rock complex;
Figure 4 illustrates a top view of a welded mesh panel in accordance with a
second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 5 shows a top view of a welded mesh panel in accordance with a third
embodiment of the invention;
Figure 6 illustrates a top view of a welded mesh panel in accordance with a
fourth
embodiment of the invention;
Figure 7 shows a top view of a welded mesh panel in accordance with a fifth
embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 8 illustrates a top view of a pair of welded mesh panels installed in
accordance with field application of the invention.
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CA 02678136 2009-09-08
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Reference may be had to Figure 1 which illustrates a welded mesh panel 12, in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. As will be described,
the panel 12 is
adapted for mounting substantially in position within less than about 4 cm,
and more preferably
less than about 2.5 cm from the face 6 of a rock complex 8 as part of a mine
roof rock support
system 10 (Figure 3). The positioning of the mesh panel 12 in such a position
substantially
juxtaposed with the rock face 6 allows its use in the retention and
compression of the rock
complex 8 while providing enhanced rock support.
The mesh panel 12 is formed having an overall rectangular shape with parallel
longitudinally extending sides 14a, 14b and parallel spaced ends 16a, 16b. In
a most preferred
construction, the panel has a finished weight selected at less than about 50
lbs and a longitudinal
length selected at between about 2.4 to 3.35 metres, and a width of about 1.2
to 2 metres.
The mesh panel 12 is characterized by a series of equally sized square mesh
openings 18
which have longitudinal and lateral lengths selected at between about 7 and 14
cm, and most
preferably about 10 cm. The mesh openings 18 are defined by a number of
laterally extending
wire members 20, and either a number of longitudinally extending wire members
22 or a
reinforcing complex 24 which preferably consists of four longitudinally
oriented reinforcing rods
26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d. The lateral wire members 20, longitudinal wire members
22 and
reinforcing rods 26 are welded to each other in a grid arrangement to provide
the panel 12 with
an integral unitary structure. Each of the lateral wire members 20 consists of
a #4 to #12 gauge,
and preferably #4 gauge cylindrical steel wires. The wire members 20 are
equally spaced
longitudinally approximately 10 cm from each other, and extend in a lateral
direction from the
first panel side 14a to the second longitudinal side 14b.
The longitudinally wire members 22 are most preferably formed from the same
gauge
cylindrical steel wire as the lateral wire members 20. Each of the
longitudinal wire members are
8
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CA 02678136 2009-09-08
provided in a perpendicular orientation to that of lateral wire members 20,
and extend from the
first panel end 16a to the second panel end 16b. The longitudinally extending
wire members 22
are provided in an equally parallel spaced arrangement, so as to be separated
laterally from each
other by a distance substantially equal to the longitudinal spacing of the
lateral wire members 20.
Although not essential, for enhanced structural integrity, each longitudinal
wire member 22 is
preferably welded directly to the surface of lateral wire member 20 at the
point of overlapping
contact.
Figure 1 shows the reinforcing complex 24 as extending longitudinally the
length of the
panel 12, immediately adjacent to the side 14a. The reinforcing complex 24
extends the
longitudinal length of the panel 12 and has a lateral width selected at
between about 10 to 40 cm,
depending upon the grid spacing of the panel 12. The reinforcing rods 26 are
most preferably
formed from #0 gauge round wire. The reinforcing rods 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d
have a length
corresponding to that of the longitudinal wire members 22 and are arranged
parallel thereto.
Most preferably, the reinforcing rods 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d are laterally
spaced from each other
and from the next adjacent longitudinal wire 22a as to provide the mesh panel
12 with a
generally square open mesh configuration. Although not essential, as shown
best in Figure 2 in a
most preferred construction, the reinforcing rods 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d are
also welded to the
upper surface (the same side as wire member 22) of each intersecting lateral
wire members 20 at
each point of overlapping contact.
Although simpler in design and manufacturing, equally spaced reinforced
longitudinal
and laterally adjacent wire members 22,20 can be spaced at different distances
from the
remainder of the #4 to #12 gauge wires. An example of such spacing would be at
the standard
100mm x 100mm of laterally and longitudinal adjacent wires 20,22, with the #0
or #1 or #2
gauge reinforcing rods 26 spaced at an equal or a lesser interval i.e. 50mm,
to further reinforce
the panel sides 14 and/or ends 16.
As shown best in Figure 3, the positioning of the reinforcing complex 24
adjacent to the
panel side 14a enables the simplified completion and installation of a rock
support system 10
providing enhanced rock support and surface retention capacity when installed
against the rock
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CA 02678136 2009-09-08
face 6 of the rock complex 8. The increased gauge thickness of the reinforcing
rods 26 result in
their being less likely to be cut by the bearing plate 50. In a simplified
mode of installation, in a
conventional manner a series of bore holes 30a, 30b are drilled to a desired
depth in the rock
complex 8. Following the formation of the bore holes 30a, 30b, an associated
anchor tendon
32a, 32b is thereafter secured in each bore hole 30a, 30b by means of
anchoring grout 34. The
anchoring tendons 32 are secured in place such that their proximalmost end 36
projects
outwardly beyond the rock face 6 a sufficient distance to serve as a mounting
support for the
mesh panel 12 of the present invention. Once the grout 34 sets, a tensioning
nut 40 is run over
the end portion 36 and tightened against the rock face 6. It is to be
appreciated however, that
where other tendon types are used, such as a cable bolt, forged head rebar,
Swellex or Friction
Set bolt or the like having either a formed or forged head, tensioning of the
plate may not be
possible.
Following the final placement of the anchor tendons 32 and the consolidation
of rock
forces thereby, a series of mesh panels 12', 12" are positioned over the
tendon ends 36. In
particular, the panel openings 18, allow the panels 12 to be slid over the
tendons 32 and into
generally juxtaposed contact against the rock face 6. Each mesh panel 12 is
positioned with the
reinforcing complex 24 of a first mesh panel 12' in direct underlying
juxtaposition with the non-
reinforced longitudinal side 14b of a next adjacent mesh panel 12". Following
mesh panel
placement, a bearing plate 50, which typically consists of a 15 by 15 cm
square steel plate, is slid
over the tendon end 36. The bearing plate 50 is then coupled in place by
threading a further nut
52 or other fastener onto the tendon 32 to complete the support system 10. It
is to be appreciated
that in this configuration, the reinforcing complex 24 of the panel 12'
provides enhanced
structural support not only to the panel 12', but also to the next adjacent
mesh panel 12". In
addition, the larger diameter of the #0 gauge reinforcing rods 26a, 26b, 26c,
and 26d provide
increased reinforcement to the support system 10, achieving enhanced surface
retention as the
mesh panels 12', 12" are secured in place. Because each mesh panel 12 is
provided as a
preformed integral unit, the panels 12 may be installed manually in a single
operation, without
the requirement of a subsequent installation procedure for reinforcing straps
and the like, which
is often required in rock burst conditions.
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CA 02678136 2009-09-08
While the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1 describes a simplified
mesh
panel 12 having a single reinforcing complex 24 along one longitudinal panel
side 14a only, the
invention is not so limited. Reference may be had to Figures 4 to 8 which
illustrate alternate
mesh panel constructions, in which like numerals are used to identify like
components.
Reference may be had to Figure 4 which illustrates an integrated welded mesh
panel 12
in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. In Figure 4, the mesh
panel 12 is
characterized by a reinforcing complex 124 which extends about the entire
periphery of the
welded mesh panel 12. In this regard, the reinforcing complex 24 is
characterized by two spaced
groupings of longitudinally extending reinforcing rods 26a, 26b, 26c and 26a',
26b', 26c' which
are spaced respectively, immediately adjacent to each of the longitudinal
panel sides 14a, 14b.
In addition, the reinforcing complex 124 includes two spaced groupings of
laterally extending
reinforcing rods 126a, 126b, 126c and 126a', 126b', 126c', adjacent
respectively to each panel
ends 16a, 16b. Each of the reinforcing rods 26,126 consists of a #0, #1, or #2
gauge steel round
wire. The laterally extending reinforcing rods 126a, 126b, 126c and 126a',
126b', 126c' extend
normal to, and are welded to each respective overlapping reinforcing rods 26a,
26b, 26c and
26a', 26b', 26c'.
At equally spaced positions between the innermost longitudinal reinforcing
rods 26c,
26c', the panel 12 is provided with a series of parallel and equally spaced #9
gauge or larger
diameter steel lateral wire members 22. The longitudinal wire members 22
extend parallel to
each other in the longitudinal direction from the panel end 16a to end 16b.
Similarly, a series of
laterally extending #12 gauge or larger diameter wire members 20 are provided
laterally across
the panel 12, between the innermost lateral reinforcing rods 126c, 126c'. The
lateral wire
members 20 extend parallel from each other from side 14a to side 14b, the
wires 20, 22 are
welded to each other as well as the reinforcing rods 26, 126 at each point of
overlapping contact.
It is to be appreciated that the peripheral extent of the reinforcing complex
24 allows the use of
smaller gauge wires 20, 22, thus decreasing the overall panel weight.
Figure 5 illustrates a welded mesh panel 12 in accordance with an alternate
embodiment
of the invention. In Figure 5, the panel 12 is provided with reinforcing
complex 224 which
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CA 02678136 2009-09-08
extends laterally across a mid-section of the panel 12. The reinforcing
complex 224 consists of
four laterally extending and parallel spaced #0, #1, or #2 gauge steel
reinforcing rods 26a, 26b,
26c, and 26d. Each of the steel reinforcing rods 26 extend from the first
longitudinal panel side
14a to the second side 14b in an orientation generally parallel to each other,
and to the laterally
extending wire members 20. As with the welded mesh panel 12 of Figure 1, each
of the
reinforcing rods 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d and lateral wire members 20 are welded
to overlapping
positions of each longitudinally extending wire member 22, to form a single
unitary panel.
Figures 6 and 7 illustrate welded mesh panels 12 in accordance with further
embodiments
of the invention, wherein like reference numerals are used to identify like
components. Figure 6
is characterized by a reinforcing complex 324 which extends along both the
first longitudinal
panel side 14a, as well as the second lateral panel end 16b. The portion of
reinforcing complex
324 which is adjacent to the panel side 14a consists of four parallel and
equally spaced,
longitudinal extending #0, #1, or #2 gauge steel reinforcing rods 26a, 26b,
26c, and 26d. The
portion of the complex 324 along the panel end 16b includes four #0, #1, or #2
gauge steel
reinforcing rods 126a',126b',126c', and 126d' which extend laterally from the
panel side 14a to
the panel side 14b. The mesh panel 12 of Figure 6 advantageously allows the
reinforcing
complex 324 to be positioned under both a respective unreinforced longitudinal
side and
unreinforced end of a next adjacent panel 12. This configuration allows for
the complete overlap
between reinforced and unreinforced portions of adjacent panels 12 in the
installation of the rock
support system 10.
The panel 12 shown in Figure 7 is provided with substantially identical
reinforcing
complex 324 shown in Figure 6, with the exception that further edge
reinforcing rods 226a',326a
are welded in place along the remaining panel side 14b and end 16a to provide
reinforcement
along the entire periphery of the mesh panel 12.
Figure 8 illustrates one actual field application of the mesh panels 12a,12b
as shown in
Figure 1. Yielding tendons 32 such as conebolts are installed in the
longitudinal direction at the
reinforcing complex 26. Two panels 12,12b are overlapped with the mesh panel
12a positioned
with the reinforcing complex 24a of a first mesh panel 12a underlying the non-
reinforced
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CA 02678136 2009-09-08
longitudinal side 14b' of a next adjacent mesh panel 12b. Conventional tendons
32 such as
rebars are installed over the mesh panel in the centre portion. To increase
the area coverage of
selected bearing plates 50, a mesh reinforcing plate 150 made of #0 gauge
steel wire is
furthermore provided.
Although the detailed description describes the reinforcing rods 26 and
longitudinally
wire members 22 as being welded to a top surface of each of the lateral wire
members 20, the
invention is not so limited. In an alternate configuration, the reinforcing
rods 26 and/or
longitudinal wires 22 could be provided on a lower surface of the wire members
20 alternately,
in an arrangement staggered, alternating on top and bottom surfaces of the
lateral wires 20.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention describes the reinforcing rods
26 as
comprising #0 gauge metal wire, the invention is not so limited. It is to be
appreciated that the
reinforcing complex 24 could include smaller gauge wires, including wires of
#1 and/or #2
gauge, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Although the detailed description describes the lateral wire members 20 and
longitudinal
wire members 22 as being of substantially the same gauge thickness, the
invention is not so
limited. It is to be appreciated that in alternate possible configuration, the
wire members 20
could be made either with a larger or smaller wire gauge thickness than the
longitudinally
extending wire members 22. Similarly, while the use of round or cylindrical
steel wire permits a
simplified construction, it is to be appreciated that other wire types and/or
configurations such as
wedge wire, square wire and the like may also be used.
While the detailed description describes the mesh panel 12 as having a series
of square
mesh openings 18 which are of the identical size and spacing, the invention is
not so limited. It
is to be appreciated that in an alternate configuration, the panel 12 could be
provided with one or
more regions of mesh openings 18 which are larger or smaller in dimension.
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CA 02678136 2009-09-08
Although the disclosure describes and illustrates various preferred
embodiments, the
invention is not so limited. Many modifications and variations will now occur
to persons skilled
in the art. For a definition of the invention, reference may be had to the
appended claims.
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