Ground anchors and ground reinforcement members are often constructed of similar materials; despite their difference in loading and function. Ground anchors can be passive, receiving an external tensile load – or tensioned to impart a confining load and potentially externally loaded by tensile forces. Ground reinforcement elements; (e.g., rock “bolts” or rock dowels) can be passive and accept loads as a rock mass deforms to provide confinement to mobilize rock mass strength.  The elements can also be post-tensioned to actively confine a jointed rock mass to mobilize the rock mass’ strength.  The reinforcement is then internally loaded between the bolt/dowel anchorage and head assembly in both cases.

In the 1960s and 1970s, post-tensioned anchors began being used to retain deep cuts with tied-back walls, and anchors became permanently installed elements. To ensure the components of complex anchors were correctly installed and functional, the Post Tensioning Institute (PTI) developed a series of test protocols and criteria to measure the performance of the components and the overall capacity of complex anchors.  Installation of less complex or simple anchors has often carried with it the same testing requirements as complex anchors, even though many of the components that are analyzed by the PTI tests are not present. This webinar will discuss PTI testing, anchor components, testing of complex & simple anchors, and the applicability of such testing to rock reinforcement such as tensioned Rock Bolts and passive Rock Dowels. Attendees should be able to review the type of ground elements they are installing and establish which test elements are germane to the installation being completed.