Rock Anchors
Rock anchors are tensioned anchors that are drilled through overburden soil into bedrock, where they are grouted into place. They are commonly used for:
- Conventional Slope Stabilization
- Secant Pile Excavation
- Foundation tie-downs for permanent structures
- Shotcrete and Anchor Shoring
Rock Anchors Installation
The installation of rock anchors typically involves drilling through looser or fractured overburden material, where temporary casing may be required, into the solid rock. Once the hole is drilled, an anchor bar is inserted, and the anchor is grouted into place. Grout can either be gravity-fed or injected under pressure to fill voids and ensure a strong bond between the anchor and the surrounding solid rock. Once installed, the anchor bar is tensioned to a design load specified by the project engineer. This guarantees that the rock anchor can provide the required lateral or vertical force to resist movement of a retaining structure.
Rock anchors offer several advantages, including cost-effectiveness, rapid installation, and the ability to achieve high bond capacities, limiting the length of anchor required. Equipment to install rock anchors is versatile, allowing rock anchors to be installed from small benches or above unstable slopes if required.
