WO2023235919A1

WO2023235919A1 - Pumpable crib bag assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2023235919A1
Application number: PCT/AU2023/050491
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven S. Fleagle; David Evans
Original assignee: Abc Industries, Inc.; DSI Underground Australia Pty Limited
Priority date: 2022-06-06
Filing date: 2023-06-06
Publication date: 2023-12-14

Abstract

A pumpable crib bag assembly (100) for forming a load-bearing support (332), the assembly (100) including: a containment bag (102) to be filled with a load-bearing material, the containment bag (102) including: an upper end portion (104); a lower end portion (106); and a sidewall (108) extending between the upper and lower end portions (104, 106), the sidewall (108) configured for surrounding the load-bearing material within the containment bag (102) to contain the load-bearing material therein; and a reinforcing member (124) extending along the sidewall (108) for constraining the load- bearing material within the containment bag (102) when a service load is applied to the assembly (100), the reinforcing member (124) including a flattened major surface (126) for contact with the sidewall (108) as the service load is applied to the assembly (100).

Description

PUMPABLE CRIB BAG ASSEMBLY

Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pumpable crib bag for mine support in mining applications. However, the invention is not limited to this particular use and is also suitable for use in numerous other applications which require columnar ‘standing support’, such as support in civil applications.

Background

[0002] A Pumpable Crib Bag (PCB) is a flexible-walled bag that is inflated with a settable material, such as cementitious grout, to form a support. Grout filled PCB’s are typically utilised as roof supports within ‘tailgates’ and ‘bleeder headings’ (as they are known) of an underground longwall mine for geotechnical and ventilation purposes. The PCB is positioned at a designated installation site within the mine opening and filled with the settable grout material. Once the grout material has cured, the PCB forms a load-bearing support column between the roof and floor of the mine opening. In geotechnical applications, the PCB is configured to eventually collapse into and become part of the goaf or void.

[0003] PCB’s may be reinforced with hoops or helically wound wire or cord to restrain excessive lateral expansion or bulging of the bag when the column is under compressive load. Disadvantageously, such reinforced PCB’s still have insufficient load carrying capacity, may rupture or fail prematurely, and/or exhibit variable, inconsistent or erratic loading behaviour.

Summary of Invention

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the above drawbacks.

[0005] An aspect of the present invention provides a pumpable crib bag assembly for forming a load-bearing support, the assembly including: a containment bag to be filled with a load-bearing material, the containment bag including: an upper end portion; a lower end portion; and a sidewall extending between the upper and lower end portions, the sidewall configured for surrounding the load-bearing material within the containment bag to contain the load-bearing material therein; and a reinforcing member extending along the sidewall for constraining the load-bearing material within the containment bag when a service load is applied to the assembly, the reinforcing member including a flattened major surface for contact with the sidewall as the service load is applied to the assembly.

[0006] In one or more embodiments, the reinforcing member is in the form of a strap.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the sidewall has an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface each defining a total surface area, and wherein the strap is at least partially secured to and extends along at least one of the inner and outer wall surfaces.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the strap has an upper edge and a lower edge, and wherein the flattened major surface extends between the upper edge and the lower edge.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the flattened major surface has a width extending between the upper edge and the lower edge such that the flattened major surface contacts about one quarter to two thirds of the total surface area of the at least one of the inner and outer wall surfaces.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the flattened major surface contacts about one quarter of the total surface area of the at least one of the inner and outer wall surfaces.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the sidewall is generally cylindrical in configuration.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the reinforcing member or the strap helically encompasses the sidewall.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the reinforcing member or the strap helically encompasses the sidewall in a manner of a double or opposed helix.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the reinforcing member or the strap helically encompasses the sidewall with a pitch of between about 50 mm to 150 mm. [0015] In one or more embodiments, the reinforcing member or the strap helically encompasses the sidewall with a variable pitch.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the assembly further includes a pocket attached to the sidewall for positioning the reinforcing member or the strap therein.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the pocket is dimensioned for supporting conformity with the reinforcing member or the strap to minimise movement of the reinforcing member or the strap with respect to the containment bag.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the reinforcing member or the strap is bonded to the upper and lower end portions of the sidewall of the containment bag.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the reinforcing member or the strap is at least partially bonded to the sidewall of the containment bag along a majority of a length of the reinforcing member or the strap.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the reinforcement member or the strap is comprised of plastics, metal, natural fiber, composites, or a combination thereof.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the containment bag is comprised of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) laminated polyester.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the assembly further includes a mesh reinforcement positioned within the containment bag.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the mesh reinforcement includes permeable outer and inner wall surfaces, and wherein the assembly further includes an additional reinforcement member which encompasses at least one of the outer and inner wall surfaces of the mesh reinforcement.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the flattened major surface includes a surface profile to vary the coefficient of friction between the reinforcing member or the strap and the sidewall.

[0025] In another aspect, the invention provides a load-bearing support including: a containment bag filled with a load-bearing material, the containment bag including: an upper end portion; a lower end portion; and a sidewall extending between the upper and lower end portions, the sidewall configured for surrounding the load-bearing material within the containment bag to contain the load-bearing material therein; and a reinforcing member extending along the sidewall for constraining the load-bearing material within the containment bag during application of a service load to the load-bearing support, the reinforcing member including a flattened major surface for contact with the sidewall during application of the service load.

[0026] In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method for forming a load-bearing support, the method including steps of providing a containment bag to be filled with a load-bearing material, the containment bag including: an upper end portion; a lower end portion; and a sidewall extending between the upper and lower end portions, the sidewall configured for surrounding the load-bearing material within the containment bag to contain the load-bearing material therein; positioning a reinforcing member along the sidewall, the reinforcing member including a flattened major surface for contact with the sidewall when a service load is applied to the loadbearing support; and filling the containment bag with the load-bearing material such that the reinforcing member constrains the load-bearing material within the containment bag when the service load is applied to the load-bearing support.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0027] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying description and drawings in which: [0028] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a pumpable crib bag assembly according to a first embodiment;

[0029] FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of portion A of FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the assembly of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 4 is a longitudinally cross-sectioned, isometric view of the assembly taken along line B-B of FIG. 3;

[0032] FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary, simplified view of a pocket attached to a sidewall of the assembly of FIG. 1, with a portion of the pocket and sidewall removed to reveal a reinforcing member within the pocket;

[0033] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a pumpable crib bag assembly according to a second embodiment;

[0034] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the assembly of FIG. 6;

[0035] FIG. 8 is a longitudinally cross-sectioned, isometric view of the assembly taken along line C-C of FIG. 7; and

[0036] FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of a completed installation utilising the assembly of FIGS. 1 or 6.

Description of Embodiments

[0037] Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings there is depicted a pumpable crib bag assembly 100 according to a first embodiment. The assembly 100 has a primary application in forming a load-bearing roof support column 332 (FIG. 9) in an underground mine. In one preferred application, the assembly 100 is utilised within the ‘tailgate’ roadway of a longwall mining operation to assist with keeping the tailgate open for geotechnical and ventilation purposes as the longwall face advances. The assembly 100 may also be utilised in other applications which require columnar ‘standing support’, such as support in civil applications. [0038] With particular reference to FIG. 1, the assembly 100 includes a containment bag 102 for receiving and containing a settable material pumpable therein under pressure. The settable material is curable to form a hardened material with a suitable compressive strength depending upon the desired load-bearing application of the assembly 100. In a preferred embodiment, the settable material is comprised of cementitious grout, typically low-strength (e.g. 6 MPa to 8 MPa) grout, although other settable grouts, cementitious materials, or fillers may be utilised, such as such as high-strength (e.g. up to 120 MPa) grout, fly ash cement, or pumpable polymers that cure as a solid or foam (e.g. urea silicate or polyurethane). The bag 102 is preferably constructed of a suitable textile or fabric with sufficient strength and durability to maintain form whilst the settable material is pumped under pressure and allowed to cure within the bag 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the fabric is comprised of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) laminated polyester which may be formed by, for example, laminating a polyester scrim or fabric between two or more layers of PVC film. In another embodiment, the fabric may be a breathable fabric, such as a geotextile fabric. In other embodiments, the fabric may be comprised of rubber, polyurethane, silicone or neoprene-dipped polyester fabric. In some other embodiments, the bag 102 may be constructed of a metalised film such as metalised polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0039] The bag 102 includes an upper end portion 104, a lower end portion 106 spaced from the upper end portion 104, and a sidewall 108 extending between the upper and lower end portions 104, 106. The sidewall 108 has an outer wall surface 110 and an inner wall surface 112 each defining a total surface area (see FIG. 4). In one embodiment, the upper and lower end portions 104, 106 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 108. In another embodiment, the upper and lower end portions 104, 106 may be separate from the sidewall 108 and welded, stitched or otherwise joined to the sidewall 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper and lower end portions 104, 106 are generally circular and the sidewall 108 is generally cylindrical in configuration, although other suitable configurations may be utilised, such as rectangular or other polygonal.

[0040] The sidewall 108 has a longitudinal extent L (see FIG. 4) which is predetermined so that the assembly 100 is configured, in use, to span a support dimension (i.e. height) between a mine roof surface 114 and a mine floor surface 116 (or other support surface) within the mine opening (see FIG. 9). That is, for geotechnical applications, the longitudinal extent L of the sidewall 108 is selected based on the seam height that is being mined. In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal extent L is between about 2.0 m to 4.0 m, however it will be appreciated that some applications will require a longitudinal extent L that is less than or greater than this range. In some embodiments, the longitudinal extent L may be slightly oversized to accommodate variance in seam roof height.

[0041] The sidewall 108, together with the upper and lower end portions 104, 106, surrounds an interior chamber 118 (see FIG. 4) of the bag 102 for receiving the settable material. The sidewall 108 has an internal diameter Di (see FIG. 3) which may be varied to change the volume of the chamber 118, and hence the volume of settable material to be received, to suit the desired load-bearing application. In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewall 108 has an internal diameter Di of between about 0.8 m to 1.2 m. In other embodiments, the internal diameter Di may be less than 0.8 m or greater than 1.2 m.

[0042] The settable material is pumpable into the chamber 118 via a fill port 120 fitted to the upper end portion 104 of the bag 102 and fluidly communicable with the chamber 118. In one embodiment, the fill port 120 may include a one-way valve (not shown) to prevent the settable material from exiting the bag 102 via the fill port 120 when the bag 102 is being pumped with the settable material. The assembly further includes an air escape vent 122 fitted to the bag 102 adjacent or on the upper end portion 104 to exhaust air within the chamber 118 as the bag 102 is being filled with the settable material.

[0043] With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, the assembly 100 further includes a reinforcing member 124 retained on the sidewall 108 or at least partially secured to the bag 102 to constrain the hardened material within the bag 102 as a service load is applied to the assembly 100 following installation. In this way, the reinforcing member 124 is primarily configured to provide tensile strength to oppose or resist hoop and radial stresses as compressive loads are applied to the assembly 100 following installation.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcing member is in the form of a band or strap 124 which helically encompasses the longitudinal extent L of the sidewall 108. The strap 124 preferably helically encompasses the outer wall surface 110 of the sidewall 108 with a pitch of between about 50 mm to 150 mm, more preferably about 100 mm. The pitch may be varied to increase or decrease the ‘stiffness’ of radial restraint applied to the bag 102 via the arrangement of the strap 124. For example, the pitch may be varied along the longitudinal extent L of the sidewall 108 to influence the mode of failure or collapse of the load-bearing support column 332. In some embodiments, the pitch may be tighter around portions of the outer wall surface 110 which are adjacent the upper and lower end portions 104, 106 of the bag 102 relative to a middle or central portion of the outer wall surface 110. Optionally, the strap 124 may encompass the outer wall surface 110 in a manner of a double or opposed helix. In other embodiments, the strap 124 may encompass the outer wall surface 110 in a manner other than helical such as in a zig-zag, mesh -like or other spiral manner. In other embodiments, the assembly 100 may include a plurality of straps which are arranged in concentric rings or hoops spaced along the longitudinal extent L of the sidewall 108. Optionally, the strap 124 may be bonded to and encompass either or both of the outer and inner wall surfaces 110, 112 of the sidewall 108 in a manner described above.

[0045] The strap 124 is preferably formed of plastics but may alternatively be formed of metal (such as steel), natural fiber, composites, and combinations thereof.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, the strap 124 has a flattened major surface 126 for contact with the outer wall surface 110 of the sidewall 108 (and/or the inner wall surface 112). In the context of this specification, it will be understood that the ‘flattened major surface’ is not necessarily completely planar but may have some curvature, particularly when helically wound about the containment bag 102 and under load. However, the flattened major surface 126 is flat enough that the radially inward compressive pressure is relatively uniform across a width W of the flattened major surface 126. The flattened major surface 126 extends between an upper edge 125a and a lower edge 125b of the strap 124 to define the width W (see FIG. 5) of the flattened major surface 126. Preferably, the width W is constant along the length of the strap 124 and is in the range of about 20 mm to 30 mm, more preferably 25 mm. In other embodiments, the width W may be varied along the length of the strap 124. For example, the width W of the strap 124 may be greater adjacent the upper and lower end portions 104, 106 of the bag 102 relative to the middle or central portion of the outer wall surface 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the width W is selected such that the flattened major surface 126 contacts about one quarter to two thirds, preferably one quarter, of the total surface area of the outer wall surface 110. In other embodiments, a majority of the total surface area of the outer wall surface 110 may be encapsulated by the width W of the strap 124. The width W may be varied so the flattened major surface 126 contacts a lesser or greater surface area, respectively, of the outer wall surface 110. Optionally, the flattened major surface 126 may be coated or surface treated to vary the coefficient of friction between the flattened major surface 126 and the outer wall surface 110 (and/or the inner wall surface 112). In some embodiments, the flattened major surface 126 may have a surface profile/texture or surface feature which varies the coefficient of friction between the flattened major surface 126 and the outer wall surface 110 (and/or the inner wall surface 112). For example, in some embodiments, the flattened major surface 126 may have a ribbed or roughened surface profile. In other embodiments, the flattened major surface 126 may include a hook or loop feature for mating or binding with a corresponding loop or hook feature on the outer wall surface 110 (and/or the inner wall surface 112) in the manner of a hook-and-loop fastening or touch fastening system.

[0047] Compared to a non-flattened surface (such as provided by a wire, cord or cable having a circular cross-section), the flattened major surface 126 distributes frictional forces produced between the sidewall 108 and the strap 124 over a greater surface area of the sidewall 108 thus reducing pressure and localised deformation in the region of the strap 124. By distributing the frictional forces over a greater surface area, there is reduced tendency for undue bulging of the hardened material between the pitch of the strap 124 thereby minimising premature rupture or failure of the fabric of the bag 102 when compressive loads are applied to the assembly 100 following installation.

[0048] The bag 102 preferably includes a pocket 128 helically coextending with the strap 124 to position or hold the strap 124 therein for frictional contact with the sidewall 108 and the pocket 128 whilst permitting elongation or partial slippage of the strap 124 with respect to the bag 102 as compressive loads are applied to the assembly 100. The pocket 128 is dimensioned for geometric and supporting conformity with the strap 124 to minimise lateral movement and/or separation of the strap 124 with respect to the bag 102, at least beyond minor movement associated with the free play of the strap 124 within the slightly broader dimensions of the pocket 128. In this way, the pocket 128 aids in increasing frictional forces by virtue of increasing the contact force between the flattened major surface 126 and the outer wall surface 110 of the sidewall 108 as the pocket 128 presses the strap 124 against the outer wall surface 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the pocket 128 is formed by bonding lateral edges of a separate strip of fabric to the outer wall surface 110. In an alternative embodiment, the pocket 128 may be formed integrally with the sidewall 108. In some forms, the pocket 128 may be continuous or discontinuous. In an alternative embodiment, the bag 102 may not include a pocket and the strap 124 is instead directly bonded (via gluing, plastic welding or otherwise secured) to the bag 102 at discrete locations along a length of the strap 124, such as at either end and/or a mid-point of the strap 124. In other embodiments, the strap 124 is continuously bonded to the bag 102 along the entire length of the strap 124. Optionally, the strap 124 is secured to a majority of the circumference of each of the upper and lower end portions 104, 106 of the bag 102 to minimise slippage of the strap 124 with respect to the bag 102.

[0049] FIGS. 6 to 8 depict a pumpable crib bag assembly 200 according to a second embodiment. The embodiment 200 is of an identical construction to the pumpable crib bag assembly 100 of the first embodiment, except that the assembly 200 further includes a cylindrical mesh reinforcement 230 (see FIG. 8) located internally within the bag and which generally coextends with the sidewall 108. The mesh reinforcement 230 is spaced from the inner wall surface 112 of the sidewall 108 and joined with the upper and lower end portions 104, 106. The mesh reinforcement 230 is preferably constructed of a permeable plastic mesh material to permit the settable material to pass therethrough. During installation of the assembly 200, the settable material is pumped via the fill port 120 into the chamber 118 of the bag 102 to thereby fill the bag 102 and also entirely encapsulate the mesh reinforcement 230. The mesh reinforcement 230 has permeable outer and inner wall surfaces 230a, 230b (see FIG. 8) which may each be encompassed by an additional strap 224 within an additional pocket 228 of an identical or similar construction to the strap 124 and pocket 128 encompassing the sidewall 108.

[0050] A method of installation of the assembly 100, 200 will now be described with particular reference to FIG. 9. Initially, the assembly 100, 200 may be in a collapsed state to facilitate portability to an installation site within an underground mine. When the assembly 100, 200 is ready to be installed at the installation site, the upper end portion 104 of the bag 102 is secured against the mine roof 114 via a plurality of securement tabs 132 (see FIGS. 3 and 7) attached to the upper end portion 104 of the bag 102. In the embodiment depicted, there are four of the securement tabs 132, although the number of the securement tabs 132 may vary. Retaining spikes 134 or other suitable securing means are driven through the securement tabs 132 into the mine roof 114 via manual or assisted driving means. In the event that the retaining spikes 134 cannot be readily driven into the mine roof 114 or the material of the mine roof 114 will not adequately hold the retaining spikes 134, the upper end portion 104 may be temporarily propped against the mine roof 114 until the installation is completed. Alternatively, the upper end portion 104 may be secured to or hung against a roof mesh (not shown) with ties. In some embodiments, the bag 102 is suspended from the mine roof 114 for relaxation under gravity prior to filling. [0051] The settable material is then pumped into the chamber 118 via the fill port 120 thereby causing the bag 102 to inflate and extend towards the mine floor 116. As the bag 102 is being filled, air within the chamber 118 is able to exhaust via the air escape vent 122. The bag 102 is filled under pressure to a predetermined limit for positioning or setting the bag 102 between the mine roof 114 and mine floor 116 prior to application of the service load, thereby causing the upper and lower end portions 104, 106 to bear against and conform to the respective local surface contours of the mine roof 114 and mine floor 116. The lower end portion 106 is then secured against the mine floor 116 via additional securement tabs 136 (see FIGS. 1 and 6) attached to the lower end portion 106 of the bag 102. In the embodiment depicted, there are four of the securement tabs 136, although the number of the securement tabs 136 may vary. Alternatively, the lower end portion 106 may be secured against the mine floor 116 prior to filling of the bag 102. In other embodiments, the lower end portion 106 may sit or rest against the mine floor 116 under its own weight as the bag 102 is filled progressively with the settable material.

[0052] Once the settable material cures, the assembly 100, 200 of the present disclosure forms a load-bearing support column 332 between the mine roof 114 and mine floor 116. The support column 332 of the present disclosure has effective initial strength and also improved sustainability under compressive loading, minimising occurrence of significant sudden loadreleasing or load-shedding events. This is facilitated by the flattened major surface 126 of the strap 124 providing improved radial constraint or confinement of the bag 102 which at least aids in achieving initial compressive loads, and more particularly assists with maintaining sustained compressive loads by resisting the tendency for outward bulging of the column 332 and enabling the settable material to fail progressively in a compressive fashion. In turn, the loadbearing support column 332 is able to achieve more consistent loading behaviour. The flattened major surface 126 also contributes to a reduced footprint of the column 332 by utilising the strap 124 with greater performance for radial confinement, as well as improved safety by minimising risk of ‘snagging’ of the strap 124 via mine equipment, personnel or the like. Although, the assembly 100, 200 may also be utilised in other applications which require columnar ‘standing support’, such as support in civil applications. Reference Numeral List

100 Pumpable crib bag assembly according to a first embodiment

102 Containment bag

104 Upper end portion

106 Lower end portion

108 Sidewall

110 Outer wall surface

112 Inner wall surface

114 Mine roof

116 Mine floor

118 Chamber

120 Fill port

122 Air escape vent

124 Reinforcing member/strap

125a, b Upper and lower edges of strap

126 Flattened major surface

128 Pocket

132 Securement tabs

134 Retaining spikes

136 Additional securement tabs

200 Pumpable crib bag assembly according to a second embodiment

224 Additional strap

228 Additional pocket

230 Mesh reinforcement

230a,b Outer and inner wall surfaces of mesh reinforcement

332 Support column

Claims

1. A pumpable crib bag assembly for forming a load-bearing support, the assembly including: a containment bag to be filled with a load-bearing material, the containment bag including: an upper end portion; a lower end portion; and a sidewall extending between the upper and lower end portions, the sidewall configured for surrounding the load-bearing material within the containment bag to contain the load-bearing material therein; and a reinforcing member extending along the sidewall for constraining the load-bearing material within the containment bag when a service load is applied to the assembly, the reinforcing member including a flattened major surface for contact with the sidewall as the service load is applied to the assembly.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is in the form of a strap.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the sidewall has an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface each defining a total surface area, and wherein the strap is at least partially secured to and extends along at least one of the inner and outer wall surfaces.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the strap has an upper edge and a lower edge, and wherein the flattened major surface extends between the upper edge and the lower edge.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the flattened major surface has a width extending between the upper edge and the lower edge such that the flattened major surface contacts about one quarter to two thirds of the total surface area of the at least one of the inner and outer wall surfaces.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the flattened major surface contacts about one quarter of the total surface area of the at least one of the inner and outer wall surfaces.

7. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sidewall is generally cylindrical in configuration.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the reinforcing member or the strap helically encompasses the sidewall.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the reinforcing member or the strap helically encompasses the sidewall in a manner of a double or opposed helix.

10. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the reinforcing member or the strap helically encompasses the sidewall with a pitch of between about 50 mm to 150 mm.

11. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the reinforcing member or the strap helically encompasses the sidewall with a variable pitch.

12. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims further including a pocket attached to the sidewall for positioning the reinforcing member or the strap therein.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the pocket is dimensioned for supporting conformity with the reinforcing member or the strap to minimise movement of the reinforcing member or the strap with respect to the containment bag.

14. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing member or the strap is bonded to the upper and lower end portions of the sidewall of the containment bag.

15. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing member or the strap is at least partially bonded to the sidewall of the containment bag along a majority of a length of the reinforcing member or the strap.

16. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcement member or the strap is comprised of plastics, metal, natural fiber, composites, or a combination thereof.

17. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the containment bag is comprised of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) laminated polyester.

18. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims further including a mesh reinforcement positioned within the containment bag.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the mesh reinforcement includes permeable outer and inner wall surfaces, and wherein the assembly further includes an additional reinforcement member which encompasses at least one of the outer and inner wall surfaces of the mesh reinforcement.

20. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flattened major surface includes a surface profile to vary the coefficient of friction between the reinforcing member or the strap and the sidewall.

21. A load-bearing support including: a containment bag filled with a load-bearing material, the containment bag including: an upper end portion; a lower end portion; and a sidewall extending between the upper and lower end portions, the sidewall configured for surrounding the load-bearing material within the containment bag to contain the load-bearing material therein; and a reinforcing member extending along the sidewall for constraining the load-bearing material within the containment bag during application of a service load to the load-bearing support, the reinforcing member including a flattened major surface for contact with the sidewall during application of the service load.

22. A method for forming a load-bearing support, the method including steps of: providing a containment bag to be filled with a load-bearing material, the containment bag including: an upper end portion; a lower end portion; and a sidewall extending between the upper and lower end portions, the sidewall configured for surrounding the load-bearing material within the containment bag to contain the load-bearing material therein; positioning a reinforcing member along the sidewall, the reinforcing member including a flattened major surface for contact with the sidewall when a service load is applied to the loadbearing support; and filling the containment bag with the load-bearing material such that the reinforcing member constrains the load-bearing material within the containment bag when the service load is applied to the load-bearing support.