Services / Anchor Testing

Ground Anchors, Rock Bolts and Soil Nails are used in a variety of applications. Geotest can test most types of anchor, rock bolt or soil nail.


Geotest can carry out three types of test:

  • Destructive Ground Anchor Testing – Destructive ground anchor testing can be carried out on sacrificial ground anchors, to establish the maximum load which the ground anchor can safely support. This allows bonding grouts and ground anchors to be designed based upon a ‘real life’ situation, which will ensure that the anchor design is safe, and may well save money over standard designs.
  • Non-Destructive Anchor Testing – Once installed, ground anchors can be tested before being commissioned. The testing, typically 150 % of working load or 200 % of working load will provide an assurance that the anchor has been installed correctly without the need to sacrifice the anchor in the process.
  • Anchor Testing – Some types of ground anchor system require tensioning before they become effective. Geotest are able to tension most types of anchor rapidly and efficiently. This provides an assurance that the every system has been set up in accordance with its design.

How It Works

Geotest use a range of hollow hydraulic cylinders designed to fit any diameter anchor to apply the pressure.

Accuracy is essential! - Geotest use a fully calibrated load cell to monitor pressure on the hollow cylinder. This is far superior to a pressure system where hydraulic oil pressure in monitored which can vary significantly over time.

Geotest can test vertically, horizontally or at any angle between. A hard surface is desirable to jack against, however is not always essential.

Geotest have carried out testing on a range of sites including:

  • Ground anchors to secure pedestrian fencing.
  • Rock bolts to secure cliff faces.
  • Rock bolts to hold mesh in place.
  • Soil nails for solar PV arrays.
  • Soil nails for securing retaining walls.
  • Ground anchors to secure a steel portal framed building over a dry dock.

    • Geotest carry a selection of fittings / extension bars, and can obtain fittings / bars to fit most types of anchor. Please call us to discuss your anchor system and see how we can help.

Soil Nail Testing, Cornwall

Non-Destructive soil nail testing at a former mining site in Cornwall. The works were carried out on behalf of a contractor as part of a multi-million pound regeneration project. Every anchor was tested and locked at the required tension.

Rock Bolt Testing, Devon

Rock bolt testing was carried out on a small, cliff-side dwelling in Devon. The works were carried out on behalf of a contractor as part of an insurance subsidence claim. All anchors were tested and locked at the required tension.

Ground Anchor Testing, Cornwall

Anchor testing was carried out at a dry dock in Cornwall, where a major private developer was installing a structure to cover the dock. Initially destructive tests were carried out on the concrete slab adjacent to the dock. A second round of non-destructive testing was then carried out on the anchor point for each column.

Destructive Pile Testing

Destructive testing of test piles at a former power station in Cornwall for a private developer. Test piles were required to prove bond strength between the pile and the steel reinforcement bar.

Non-Destructive Anchor Testing

Completed rock bolts on a site in South Wales for a private developer. Initially work involved overseeing installation, on behalf of the project engineer. Geotest were later asked to carry out non-destructive testing of the rock bolts, and to tension each to the required load.

Pedestrian Barrier Proof Testing

Anchor testing was carried out on night shifts, beside a major trunk road in Devon. The works were carried out on behalf of a major contractor, acting on behalf of Highways England. An initial round of destructive testing was carried out on test anchors, to establish the required grout bond strength. A second phase of non-destructive testing was then carried out on selected anchors to establish suitability prior to the installation of safety barriers.

Difficult Access Ground Anchor Testing

Testing of ground anchors was carried out on a difficult access site in Cornwall, for a contractor working on behalf of the local authority. Selected anchors were non-destructively tested after installation. The site was challenging because of ‘working at height’ and special precautions were required to protect the technicians.