Abstract: The support effects of rock bolts in tunnelling may be reduced to the concept of ground reinforcement, which features various behaviors in various rock mass structures, with the so-called "suspender effect" being only one of them. As a matter of fact, to confine the function of rock bolts to the suspender effect often leads to a misunderstanding regarding their real support ability. Reinforcement by rock bolts used in various rock mass structures is described and some related problems are discussed concerning the application of rock bolts in China, with recommendations presented as well.