Abstract: Apparatus for providing support to, and/or measuring the stress present in a potentially unstable structure, such as the roof of a coal or other underground mine, or a rock mass. The apparatus is an instrumented cable that has a center wire having a plurality of stress measuring devices attached along its length. Forming material is placed around the center wire and the stress measuring devices in order to provide protection and support. A plurality of noncenter wires extend generally longitudinally around the center wire, the stress measuring devices, and the forming material. Advantageously, the apparatus measures the stress placed thereon when inserted into the potentially unstable structure at more than one location along the length thereof, may be spun into a rock mass without damaging the stress measuring devices (or other components of the apparatus) and may be grouted into the potentially unstable structure with a variety of different grouts.