A rock bolt is a steel rod with a length that is driven into a hole in rock and subsequently anchored at one end to support the rock mass. It is based on tensioning to stabilize loose rock and shift loads to more stable parts of the rock formation. Rockbolts are a critical element in mine, tunnel, and slope stabilization construction projects.
Rock bolts are used to secure loose rock on hillsides, cliffs, and in open-pit mines to prevent landslides, rockfalls, and erosion. They help to anchor unstable rock sections to a more competent rock mass behind them.
A cable bolt is a type of rock bolt, specifically a flexible, fully grouted, untensioned reinforcing element used to stabilize and control large masses of rock, particularly in underground and open-pit mining.
Cable bolts are extensively used in underground mines for supporting large spans in stopes (areas where ore is extracted), major intersections, draw points, and permanent openings like garages or crusher stations. Their ability to reach deep into the rock mass allows them to reinforce large volumes of rock, preventing unravelling and collapses in highly stressed or fractured ground.
The difference between the two is only a quantity, not a qualitative difference, but a different tension medium. The tension member of the cable bolts is made of steel strands, and the rock bolt is the main steel of high-strength finish-rolled rebar. Usually, the cable bolt is used in large-tonnage anchoring projects (The Difference between Rock Bolts and Cable Bolts, n.d.).
Reference
The difference between rock bolts and cable bolts. (n.d.). Retrieved June 19, 2025, from https://www.antobolts.com/news/the-difference-between-rock-bolts-and-cable-bolts-159983.html
