Abstract: A ground anchorage testing arrangement having an impulse imparting apparatus connectable to a ground anchorage tendon (20) or element thereof to be tested, the impulse imparting apparatus comprising an attachment means (22) for attachment to the ground anchorage tendon (20), a movable mass (31), a guide (28, 34) for guiding movement of the mass in the direction substantially aligned with the axis 0 of the ground anchorage to be tested and a drive means for imparting a driving force to move the mass in said direction (not shown). A method of assessing the integrity of ground anchorages, the method comprising the steps of (a) imparting a load impulse to a ground anchorage tendon to be tested, (b) monitoring the vibrational response signal of the anchorage to the imparted load impulse, (c) conditioning the vibrational response signal and (d) applying the conditioned vibrational response signal to an artificial neural network.

Abstract: A ground anchorage testing arrangement having an impulse imparting apparatus connectable to a ground anchorage tendon (20) or element thereof to be tested, the impulse imparting apparatus comprising an attachment means (22) for attachment to the ground anchorage tendon (20), a movable mass (31), a guide (28, 34) for guiding movement of the mass in the direction substantially aligned with the axis 0 of the ground anchorage to be tested and a drive means for imparting a driving force to move the mass in said direction (not shown). A method of assessing the integrity of ground anchorages, the method comprising the steps of (a) imparting a load impulse to a ground anchorage tendon to be tested, (b) monitoring the vibrational response signal of the anchorage to the imparted load impulse, (c) conditioning the vibrational response signal and (d) applying the conditioned vibrational response signal to an artificial neural network.

Abstract: A moling apparatus comprises a housing having a head for penetrating ground, an anvil in the housing connected to the head, and a hammer in the housing and spaced therefrom by a spring. A vibrator unit is spaced from the hammer and arranged to transfer vibration to the housing and the hammer. In a first mode of the apparatus, vibration transmitted to the housing causes fluidization of the surrounding ground to allow progressive penetration of the apparatus. In a second mode, the braking effect of the ground on the head causes the hammer to move against the spring and impact the anvil thereby driving the head through the ground, the apparatus being operable at or between each mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the condition of a ground anchorage including a tendon arranged in a bore in a group formation at a site is characterized by detecting the vibrational response signature of the anchorage to an impulse load. The vibrational response signature to the impulse is recorded and compared with a reference signature from which any changes in the integrity of the anchorage can be determined.