FABRIC-REINFORCED STRUCTURAL SUPPORTS AND A METHOD OF PRODUCTION THEREOF

摘要

A method of producing structural supports for use particularly in mining applications includes the use of a relatively rigid and cylindrical shell casing. The shell casing is separable along the plane parallel to its axis, has open ends and is closed about a fabric tube which is axially supported therein. The fabric tube is filled with pressurized liquid building materials such as concrete. Once filled within the casing, the pressure of the building material forces the liquid component thereof out of the tube laterally and through perforations provided in the shell casing to drain the liquid away from the building material in the tube. The casing and tube are of size such that the remaining building material, which will constitute a pillar, extends completely between the surfaces it is to separate and support. Once the liquid has been drained from the building material within the fabric tube and shell casing, the shell casing can be removed even before the remaining building material is hardened into a pillar reinforced with an outer fabric tube. The shell casing can then be reused for producing additional fabric reinforced pillars.