Roktel

Roktel: Unique non-destructive testing system for ground anchor reinforcements

The most advanced, non-destructive ground reinforcement testing system¹Note: for simplicity all types of ground reinforcements are referred to as anchors in this document available today, Roktel is a complete, user-friendly system in a small, light and flexible format. It is composed of a robust control & actuator unit with data capture sensors and a ruggedised hand-held PC graphical control interface; all components are rated IP65 as a minimum. The sensors and actuator system are designed to attach to the ground reinforcement, using quick attach/release clips and the actuator system communicates wirelessly (or by cable) with the operator interface, which has belt clips for ease of handling in awkward test situations.

Why Roktel?

Traditional assessments of structural ground anchor reinforcements such as rock anchors, soil nails or tendons involve using a hydraulic ram to apply a ‘pull’ stress of several tons to the anchor. If the anchor moves significantly it is considered to be substandard and replaced. If it doesn’t move by more than a few millimetres it is considered to be ‘good’ and normally left in place.

This method has several drawbacks:

• It is ‘destructive’, in that even in good anchors, the test can break the anchor/grout adhesive bond to the substrate, seriously weakening the reinforcement
• No data is obtained from anchors that are allowed to remain in place, so the remaining length (the anchor could have sheered at some point), corrosion level and grout bond/voids will not be detected.
• The machinery necessary to carry out the pull test is heavy and awkward, both in transport and operation.
• Only a few tests can be carried out per day/shift
• ‘Good’ anchors can be removed unnecessarily

Roktel is a fast, reliable, non-destructive method of triaging 100-200 anchors per operator, per shift. ‘Good’ and ‘bad’ anchors can be identified, together with the remaining length, level of corrosion, grout adhesion and voids.

In-depth condition analysis

The Roktel system is designed to determine the following in-situ parameters of the anchor:

• Severity of corrosion
• Remaining anchor length
• Grout adhesion coverage
• Grout voids

In addition to the on-site indications of condition, internet-based comprehensive support and in-depth analysis is available online, with individual test reports provided.

How does Roktel work?

Is Roktel a new innovation?

The team that designed and developed the Roktel system has been the recipients of many national and international awards for innovation and applied technology. The first versions of Roktel were developed by CCPS in 2008. Earlier versions of Roktel have been in use in many countries for several years and have been proven to be capable of a high degree of accuracy in assessing in-situ anchor condition.

Does the system work, and is it reliable?

Actual operational testing has taken place on several thousand ground anchors of many types in many countries, including Canada, Australia, the UK, Austria, Indonesia, Greece, and the USA. Roktel assessment accuracy has been proven by extraction in many underground mines, bridges and ground stabilisation applications. To date, there have been no negative reports with regard to the accuracy of Roktel predictive analysis. Some types of ground reinforcements are more difficult to attach to, i.e., split-set anchors, and continuous development is always ongoing to increase the flexibility of the system.

Perfect consistency

It would seem simpler to tap the free end of the anchor with a hammer than invent a complex electronic metered impactor; however manual operation generates its own problems. It is often necessary to use several impacts to ensure the returned vibrational data is sufficiently clear to ensure an accurate analysis. When using a hand-operated hammer it is impossible to duplicate the force of a strike and the returned data is confused and more difficult to analyse (figure 1).

The patented electronic impactor in the Roktel system is accurately metered to use the optimum force required, avoiding confusing responses and ensuring clear data for subsequent analysis (figure 2).

Problem-free design

There are several other difficulties in testing rock anchors using impact analysis, for example:

• Using an impactor with a high mass can add to the free-end mass of the anchor and affect the anchor’s vibrational response
• Also, using a high mass automated ‘hammer’ (impactor) to ‘tap’ the anchor creates its own vibrations within the impactor assembly and these can be transmitted to the anchor being tested.
• There are mainly three types of vibration created in the anchor being tested: Longitudinal, Transverse and Surface. The type of vibration most useful in the detection of length, corrosion and grout are the longitudinal waves. Impacting the anchor anywhere other than the exact end of the anchor, for example on the pressure plate, can emphasise one or more of the unwanted types, which can denigrate the analysis.

The patented Roktel system has been designed to avoid or overcome these problems. The intelligent actuator assembly is designed with a unique, patented ‘floating impact’ mechanism to reduce transmitted vibrations to the anchor during operation and the whole assembly is specifically optimised for reduced size and mass. The impactor system is designed to clamp on to the free end of the anchor, lining up the impactor itself is directly in line with the centre for testing.

Simple one-man operation

There are three operational components in the Roktel system:

• The Roktel intelligent actuator
• The hand-held graphical user interface
• The sensor unit

The sensor unit quickly clips on to the free surface of the anchor, using a specially designed attachment, and the actuator assembly is clamped to the anchor end. This takes only a few seconds and leaves the hands free. Once started, the test itself is completely automatic and the results may be viewed graphically on the hand-held display. Again it takes only seconds to unclip the sensor and actuator units, and the user can move on to the next anchor.

Condition measurement (case study)

The Roktel system uses several specially developed algorithms to assess the data and detect problems in the anchor under test. 

The above test was carried out on bridge anchors in Western Australia. Although not immediately apparent, when analysed, the differences in the data of the two responses above clearly indicate that the anchor in graph 1 is in reasonably good condition with only minimal corrosion, while the anchor in graph 2 is poorly grouted, with significant corrosion present.

Both anchors were accurately determined to be 2 metres in length.

Protection

Both the actuator/data collector unit and the ruggedised hand-held computer are sealed to IP65; the sensor unit electronics are sealed to IP66. The system is battery operated and powered from low voltage. All units retain operability after drop testing from a height of 1 metre to a concrete surface.

RFID

The hand-held computer unit can optionally transmit and receive data from RFID tags. Thus tested anchors can be easily and quickly tagged with the date last tested for reference, comparison with later tests, or identified as specific anchors which should be monitored or re-tested.

Operational up-time

The actuator/data processor has a battery hold-up time of up to 18 hours of normal use; tests have proven the unit capable of up to 800 anchor tests with 5 impacts per anchor during that period. The hand-held control & display will operate for up to 13 hours, dependent on the type of usage.

 

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  Note: for simplicity all types of ground reinforcements are referred to as anchors in this document