Rock Mechanics Technology Limited - Profile of Company Services - Page 2

 
 

Rock Mechanics Technology provides a full installation and monitoring service for our geotechnical instrumentation including unique expertise in measurements in tunnels and shafts. A full service is also available for measuring rock stress using state of the art stress cells and the overcoring technique. Our engineers have wide-ranging experience in these techniques and offer a worldwide service. Loads in concrete and shotcrete linings and structures can be determined allowing post-construction confirmation of lining performance. RMT has developed techniques for NDT, (Non Destructive Testing), of rockbolts and long tendon reinforcement and offer an inspection service for bolt integrity, installed length and bond length.
 

STRESS MEASUREMENT AND STRESS CHANGE MONITORING

RMT has extensive experience in absolute and in-situ stress measurement and stress change monitoring using overcoring and acoustic emmission testing (Kaiser effect). Over 300 site measurements have been successfully completed in a wide range of geological and stress conditions. The overcoring technique is the predominant method used. A range of cell types are employed depending on the site conditions and application. Recent projects include:

  • In-situ stress measurement for stope design, zinc mine (Ireland).
  • In-situ stress measurement for mine layout design (Germany).
  • Absolute and stress change measurement in sprayed concrete linings (UK).
  • In-situ and stress change measurement for pillar design, Jim Walters Resources (USA).
  • Stress monitoring at Palaborra, copper mine (RSA).
  • In-situ stress measurements at 2 gold and 5 coal mines (RSA).

Stress measurement is routinely used by RMT to quantify in-situ stress conditions as part of site investigations. Stress measurement is also used extensively for pillar design and mine layout design. RMT have available their own lightweight, compressed air driven drill rigs for stress measurement. These purpose built drill rigs help ensure successful measurements. They facilitate quick transport to site and rapid setup.

RMT have extensive experience of determining in-situ stress from acoustic emmission testing of oriented rock core. This technique can provide valuable information on the in-situ stress field when measurement by overcoring is not practical.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FILE Stress measurement & monitoring CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FILE Undertaking Stress Measurement CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FILE The Overcoring Process                 CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FILE Selected Stress Measurement Sites

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FILE Acoustic Emissions Testing for In-Situ Stress Determination



ROCK BOLT INTEGRITY TESTING - IN-SITU


 

RMT have developed a rock/cable bolt integrity testing system which uses a tuneable radio frequency (RF) source. The equipment is just clipped to the bolt/cable and is therefore quick and simple to use. The RF system can provide the following information:
 

  • Length of installed bolt/cable - this can be used to detect broken bolts/cables.
  • Variation in anchorage properties.
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    CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FILE Rock Bolt Integrity Testing: Radio Frequency

    SUPPORT LOAD MEASUREMENT & PULLTESTING


     

    RMT offers a comprehensive strain gauge installation and monitoring service for steel supports, concrete linings, rockbolts and long tendons, using vibrating wire and resistance gauges. Rock and soil extensometry can be undertaken using sonic, resistance wire or potentiometric devices. In mining and other applications, RMT offers in-situ reinforcement system testing for bond strength using pull tests to industry standards.
     

    CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FILE Pull testing equipment

    ROCK TESTING


     

    The rock testing facilities and related technical expertise at RMT allow a complete in-house rock testing service to ISRM standards encompassing core logging, sample preparation and determination of a range of rock properties. Key points:

    • Company geologists available for core logging.
    • Sample preparation for all rock types and sample sizes.
    • Testing using a state of the art 1000 kN stiff test machine.
    • Routine testing for Uniaxial Compressive Strength, Young's Modulus and Poisson's Ratio.
    • Specialists with extensive experience in Multistage Triaxial Testing.
    • Experienced at drilling and testing angled core for determination of bedding and joint plane properties.
    • Confining pressures up to 70 MN/m2 with full reporting of peak and residual strength envelopes.
    • Interpretation of results as input parameters for computer modelling of excavations.
       

      • CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FILE Rock testing services CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FILE Multistage Rock Testing

    SUPPORT SYSTEM TESTING


     

    RMT offers an integrated service for laboratory testing of support systems and associated items for mining and civil engineering purposes. Test programmes can be planned to confirm the suitability of a support system. Unbiased advice is offered on optimum support/reinforcement system design. A full range of mechanical tests is available on support/reinforcement elements. Precise laboratory pull testing to measure system bond strength in a range of rock types can be undertaken. Other test services include double embedment and other tests for reinforcement systems to BS7861, metallurgical investigations and laboratory rock drilling tests.

    CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FILE  Support system testing and assessment


     

     

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