An approach to ground support testing at the Noranda Technology Centre.

A ground support pull test system is used at the Noranda Technology Centre to field-test ground support. Field testing has already been accomplished with several different types of ground support. Test results can become part of an in-house ground support quality control programme and can also be used to examine the characteristics of new supports. Features of the pull test system include adaptability to a variety of ground support, high frequency reading rate, an independent displacement monitoring system, the development of bolt installation procedures and a quick, reliable facing system that provides a level seating surface for the hydraulic jack. Other ground support quality control initiatives include regular grout sampling kits to collect and monitor grout quality. A record of grout quality and laboratory uniaxial compressive strength testing over the years provides a good calibration curve for grout quality control.
A ground support pull test system is used at the Noranda Technology Centre to field-test ground support. Field testing has already been accomplished with several different types of ground support. Test results can become part of an in-house ground support quality control programme and can also be used to examine the characteristics of new supports. Features of the pull test system include adaptability to a variety of ground support, high frequency reading rate, an independent displacement monitoring system, the development of bolt installation procedures and a quick, reliable facing system that provides a level seating surface for the hydraulic jack. Other ground support quality control initiatives include regular grout sampling kits to collect and monitor grout quality. A record of grout quality and laboratory uniaxial compressive strength testing over the years provides a good calibration curve for grout quality control.