Ultrasound method for condition monitoring of rock bolts in infrastructure projects and mining industry

Important results from the project

The project aims at developing an ultrasound technique and a prototype instrument form condition monitoring of rock bolts, at time of installation and for planning of maintenance of older installations. Today, there are no techniques available capable of this, and an instrument is important for both the mining industry and for infrastructure projects. For technique and service providers, this provides new business opportunities, for inspection services and in building knowledge databases of changes in bolts over time.

Expected long term effects

At the end of the project, we should have: A prototype instrument, using ultrasound technology for condition monitoring of newly installed as well as older rock bolts. The prototype should be tested in realistic environments. A method, validated in laboratory and tested in the field, for detection of variations in mechanical properties in installed bolts.

Approach and implementation

The project was originally divided into seven worksheets, where different project parties took responsibility for the progress. The Covid-19 pandemic forced us to redistribute and re-prioritize compared to the original plan. LTU and Swerim have been able to work somewhat according to plan, but with reduced opportunities for visits to each other and other parties. The measurement method has been developed to follow changes in load over time in bolts. It has not been possible to detect deviations among a population of already installed bolts, due to visitor restrictions etc.