Abstract: A method of assessing the integrity of a rock mass, the method including receiving a thermal assessment of the integrity of a rock mass, receiving an acoustic assessment of the integrity of a rock mass and correlating the thermal- and acoustic assessments to obtain a combined assessment of the integrity of a rock mass. The invention also covers an assessment apparatus for assessing the integrity of a rock mass, which includes acoustic assessment means operable to provide an acoustic assessment of the integrity of a rock mass, thermal assessment means operable to provide a thermal assessment of the integrity of a rock mass and correlation means for correlating the acoustic assessment of the integrity of a rock mass with the thermal assessment of the integrity of a rock mass.

Abstract: A method for assessing the integrity of a rock mass, the method including impacting the rock mass, capturing an acoustic signal generated as a result of the impact, deriving a frequency distribution for the captured acoustic signal, processing data from the frequency distribution by means of a neural network process applying artificial intelligence to assess the inputted data, and presenting a signal from the neural network process which is indicative of the integrity of the rock mass.

Abstract: A method of assessing the integrity of a rock mass, the method including receiving a thermal assessment of the integrity of a rock mass, receiving an acoustic assessment of the integrity of a rock mass and correlating the thermal- and acoustic assessments to obtain a combined assessment of the integrity of a rock mass. The invention also covers an assessment apparatus for assessing the integrity of a rock mass, which includes acoustic assessment means operable to provide an acoustic assessment of the integrity of a rock mass, thermal assessment means operable to provide a thermal assessment of the integrity of a rock mass and correlation means for correlating the acoustic assessment of the integrity of a rock mass with the thermal assessment of the integrity of a rock mass.

Abstract: A method for assessing the integrity of a rock mass, the method including impacting the rock mass, capturing an acoustic signal generated as a result of the impact, deriving a frequency distribution for the captured acoustic signal, processing data from the frequency distribution by means of a neural network process applying artificial intelligence to assess the inputted data, and presenting a signal from the neural network process which is indicative of the integrity of the rock mass.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of testing the installation quality of a grouted anchor system comprising at least one tendon anchored by grout in a hole in a surrounding mass. The system typically includes a group of roof bolts (10, 12) each having a tendon (10.1, 10.2) anchored in a rock mass (22) by grout (14, 16). The method includes the steps of applying an acoustic signal to the system, detecting the acoustic response(s) of the tendon(s) and assessing the installation quality of the tendon(s) from an analysis of such response(s). The invention also includes apparatus for use in the method.