SSAB Virsbolt expandable rock bolt for instant rock reinforcing

SSAB Virsbolt expandable rock bolt is the instant solution for rock reinforcing in underground mines and tunnels. Just add water, no chemicals. It’s the safest and most environmentally friendly way to speed up your tunneling operation.

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A full range of rock bolts ready for global delivery

SSAB Virsbolt is stocked in several parts of the world to ensure fast deliveries. SSAB Virsbolt is delivered bundled for easy handling and transporting.


SSAB Virsbolt 120/120+

  • Mainly used for mining
  • Minimum breaking load 120 kN
  • SSAB Virsbolt 120+ has higher elongation (for particularly dynamic rock conditions)

SSAB Virsbolt 160/160+

  • For tunneling, construction and mining  
  • Minimum breaking load 160 kN  
  • SSAB Virsbolt 160+ has higher elongation (for particularly dynamic rock conditions)

SSAB Virsbolt 240/240+/240 Light

  • For tunneling, construction and mining  
  • Minimum breaking load 240 kN  
  • SSAB Virsbolt 240+ has higher elongation (for particularly dynamic rock conditions)

Polymer coating for corrosion protection

SSAB Virsbolt and SSAB Virsbolt+ can be delivered with corrosion protection from a polymer alloy coating. This will save a step in your production and thereby time and money.


Instant installation

SSAB Virsbolt is the fastest way to secure the rock roof when tunneling and mining in both soft and hard rock. The bolts are not sensitive to variations in drill hole diameter.


Instant load bearing

When the hole is drilled, the folded rock bolt is inserted and expanded with water from a high-pressure pump. As soon as the bolt is expanded it squeezes tightly against the rock. The load is carried immediately – no waiting for grout or resin to harden.


Instant safety

SSAB Virsbolt is made of a steel with exceptional formability properties, ensuring a safe and reliable performance in different rock conditions.


Strong and sustainable rock bolt made in Sweden

The expandable rock bolt is an ingenuous concept. The omega-shaped tube introduced a brand-new way of securing rock roofs from caving in. It’s a tried and tested technology used all over the world.  

SSAB Virsbolt is made exclusively with high-quality steel from the Nordics and manufactured at an SSAB plant in Sweden. The whole production chain from iron ore to finished bolt is controlled by SSAB. The steel used is clean with consistent properties and extremely good elongation, necessary properties to achieve the rock bolt’s reinforcing qualities.  

Since SSAB Virsbolt is installed by just using water, there are no potential hazards from chemicals to worry about during installation or afterwards. The pure steel bolts can remain in the rock without giving any environmental impact.


How SSAB Virsbolt works

SSAB Virsbolt is delivered ready to use. The folded tube has a closed bushing at the top and a connector bushing at the end, where the pressure hose is attached. The high-pressure water inflates the bolt until it squeezes tight to the hole’s wall.  

The whole procedure is simple and straightforward in all kinds of tunneling and mining operations. The method is suitable for both mechanized and manual installation, and the equipment needed is easy to move around and power.

SSAB Virsbolt is also available in a corrosion-resistant coated version.

  1. The hole is drilled to the necessary length with standard rock drilling equipment.

  2. The bolt is inserted with or without the optional face plate.  

  3. Pressure pump is attached and expands the pipe with a pressure up to 30 MPa.

  4. Pump is removed and the rock is secured.

SSAB Virsbolt and SSAB Virsbolt+ technical specifications

Virsbolt 240 light Virsbolt 240+ Virsbolt 240 Virsbolt 160+ Virsbolt 160 Virsbolt 120+ Virsbolt 120
Bolt diameter   38 mm 38 mm 38 mm 38 mm 38 mm 28 mm 28 mm
Profile diameter  36 mm 36 mm 36 mm 36 mm 36 mm 27.5 mm 27.5 mm
Material thickness  2.3 mm 3 mm 3 mm 2 mm 2 mm 2 mm  2 mm
Upper bushing diameter  38 mm 38 mm 38 mm 38 mm 38 mm 28 mm  28 mm
Inflation bushing diameter  41/48 mm 41/48 mm 41/48 mm 41/48 mm 41/48 mm 30/37 mm  30/37 mm
Hole diameter  43 - 52 mm 43 - 52 mm 43 - 52 mm 43 - 52 mm 43 - 52 mm 32 - 39 mm  32 - 39 mm
Minimum breaking load  240 kN 230 kN
240 kN 160 kN 160 kN 120 kN  120 kN
Minimum elongation  10 % 25 % 15 % 25 % 15 % 25 %  15 %
Typical elongation  20 % 30 % 20 % 30 % 20 % 30 %  20 %
 Weight 3.1 kg/m 4.0 kg/m 4.0 kg/m 2.8 kg/m 2.8 kg/m 2.0 kg/m 2.0 kg/m
Standard length*  2.4 - 6.0 m  2.4 - 6.0 m  2.4 - 6.0 m  2.4 - 6.0 m  2.4 - 6.0 m 1.5 - 4.0 m  1.5 - 4.0 m

*other lengths upon request

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