Deep Foundations magazine published by DFI (Deep Foundations Institute) enjoys an extensive worldwide readership and has recently published a five-page article featuring AnchorTest. The article includes the latest case history updates from around the globe where AnchorTest has been used for real-time testing and data management on challenging ground anchor projects. The September/October 2017 issue featuring AnchorTest can be viewed at http://dfi.dcatalog.com/v/September-October 2017/#page=65.
Geoserve Global Ltd will employ drone technology to assist with the inspection of anchor heads in circumstances where anchor heads are positioned in challenging locations. Please look out for future web postings that will show aerial photographs and video footage of the spillway at Hazelmere dam.
Dr Devon Mothersille controls the drone in preparation for future usage at Hazelmere dam
Back in December 2012 Dr Devon Mothersille presented a paper to an audience at the headquarters of the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) in London. Interestingly, the paper, entitled, ‘Aged ground anchors and soil nails’ has only recently been published by CIRIA in the proceedings of the fifth conference on ‘Geotechnical Issues in Construction’ held on 3rd December 2012.
Amongst other things, the paper identifies the ground conditions that accentuate corrosion risk and uses case history evidence to illustrate severe corrosive degradation in anchor and soil nail heads.
Outstanding Geotechnical Engineer and Researcher, Dr Antonio Marinucci will act as marketing agent for the AnchorTest software package (configured for iPads; www.anchortest.info) and SBMA technology in the US and Canada. Dr Marinucci is also a recently inducted member of the Geo-Trust network.
Dr Marinucci and Dr Mothersille seal the deal in Honolulu, Hawaii
Some of the geotechnical engineering specialists, forming part of the Geo-Trust collective, took advantage of their attendance at the 5th international grouting conference to convene a group meeting. The group discussed current workloads, interesting developments and future collaborations.
From right to left: Dr Antonia Marinucci, Dr Devon Mothersille, Dr Donald Bruce, Mr Max Bruce (Donald’s son), Dr Trevor Carter, Professor Stefan Jefferies, Dr David Yang
Dr Devon Mothersille presented a paper entitled ‘Overcoming the challenges of grouting ultra-high capacity anchors dam in jointed quarzitic sandstone’ at the 5th International Grouting Conference, held between 9th-12th July 2017 in beautiful Honolulu, Hawaii. Over a four day period the well-attended conference provided three keynote lectures and technical sessions covering a broad spectrum of subjects including grouting case histories, drilling/grouting and deep mixing/ diaphragm walls.
Dr Mothersille during his presentation within the technical session on Drilling and Grouting
Following a special invitation from Ingerop’s senior management, Dr Devon Mothersille delivered a presentation to Directors from Ingerop (France), Ingerop (South Africa) and Geos (a subsidiary of Ingerop France).
This initiative was designed to further strengthen relationships and explore new markets for consultancy services with respect to ground anchor applications worldwide.
Several exciting possibilities were discussed included the delivery of major projects in Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique.
Dr Devon Mothersille and Mr Neel Daya (CEO, Ingerop South Africa) meet at Ingerop headquarters in Paris, France
The work of the committee ISO/TC 182/WG3 continues with the successful evaluation of 171 comments on the European standard for the testing of grouted anchors EN ISO 22477-5. In all some 325 comments were evaluated over two meetings, the first of which took place in London in early April 2017. The task of seeking resolution to the 325 comments was further complicated by the fact that there are three test types and three test methods associated with the test types. In addition, there are several member countries that adopt variations to the different test methods. Despite this, there is no question that the meetings in both London and, more recently, in Lisbon where successful.
On the basis of the evaluation of comments, the document will be amended and resubmitted to the Working Group for further assessment.
Attendees at Working Group 3 meeting from left to right;
Mr Joao Pina (Expert, Portugal), Mr Tarmo Tarkkio (Expert, Finland), Mr Yves Legendre (Expert, France), ), Mr Ole Muller (Expert, Denmark), Ms Eva Dornecker (Expert, Germany, Mr Chris Irvin (Expert, UK), Dr Devon Mothersille (Chairman, UK), Mr Klaus, Dietz (Expert, Germany), Mr Julien Habert (Expert, France), Dr Mariana Carvalho (Expert, Portugal) and Mr Magnus Ruin (Expert, Switzerland).
A dream team comprising Dr Donald Bruce, Dr Devon Mothersille and Mr John Wolfhope (BMW) have been engaged by The Centre for Energy Advancement through Technological Innovation (CEATI) to undertake a study of world dam anchor practice in a bid to produce a Best Practice Guidance for North American dams. CEATI based in Montreal, Canada are an influential body with a specific remit to improve technology that can facilitate further development and maintenance of dams which form an essential component in national energy enhancing infrastructure.
Dr Donald Bruce (Geosystems), Dr Devon Mothersille and Mr John Wolfhope (Freese & Nichols) recent met in Austin, Texas to develop forward strategies for the effective delivery of the project. This successful meeting has confirmed that many months of hard work lie ahead but this will undoubtedly result in a landmark study that will tremendously benefit the dam anchor industry.
John Wolfhope, Donald Bruce and Devon Mothersille meet at Freese and Nichols offices in Austin, Texas
Senior Geotechnical design engineer from Chilean Foundation contractor Lancuyen, Mr Rafael Martinez, attended a specially organised two day ‘one-on-one’ seminar with Dr Devon Mothersille. This unusual initiative was requested by Lancuyen in order to accelerate their knowledge in ground anchor technology. During the intense two-day interactive knowledge sharing session, case histories were described which covered aspects of design, construction, testing and monitoring of ground anchors. New technologies such as AnchorTest were discussed and demonstrated together with detailed descriptions and evaluation of the Single Bore Multiple Anchor system. Lancuyen are currently considering the use of the SBMA system for a major slope stabilisation project in Chile and this was also discussed in detail.
Special anchor seminar took place in the beautiful surroundings of the Royal Over-Seas League in Mayfair, London, UK
Mr Rafael Martinez and Dr Devon Mothersille during the special one-on-one anchor seminar held at the Royal Over-Seas League at Mayfair in London, UK