Some CPT penetrometer rigs, such as the stand-alone versions, the trailer-based versions and the light-weight CPT crawlers require anchoring to achieve a suitable reaction force to balance the pushing capacity of the rig.
Ground anchors are driven into the ground using either a 2 man operated hydraulic wrench in case of a stand-alone or trailer-based penetrometer pusher or the rotary drive of the light-weight CPT crawler. The anchors hold the penetrometer rig down during pushing.
The anchors, which are screwed into the ground before testing and screwed out after testing, provide a suitable reaction force for pushing with the penetrometer pusher. 4 ground anchors without extension rods are capable of providing up to 10 tons of reaction force when it is anchored into a suitable soil.
Extra reaction force is obtained by using extension rods, anchors with larger blade diameter or by placing more anchors.
Anchor extension rods are used to increase the length of the ground anchor. They are most useful at sites where the soil at the surface is very weak, but the strength of the soil increases with a little depth. The extension rods can be invaluable at a site where there is a layer of fill covering stronger native soil. The extension rods have a female hexagonal drive on the bottom that pins to a ground anchor. On top it has a male hexagonal drive. The anchor extension rod is connected to the ground anchor using a high-strength bolt and nut (both included).
All anchors manufactured by Gouda-Geo are made of high tension steel and feature a massive shaft for extra torsional strength. The anchor blades have a tapered shape, making them very suitable for difficult soil conditions. The tip of the ground anchor is hardened assuring longevity even under the most difficult circumstances.
The end of the shaft is provided with a male hexagonal drive that fits in the hydraulic wrench and in the hexagonal drive of the extension rod.
Purpose designed anchoring beams are available for connecting the ground anchors to the penetrometer rig. Quick-acting tensioners are available to secure the ground anchors to the penetrometer rigs through the anchoring beams.
The ground anchors are suitable for both the 100 and 200 kN penetrometer rigs. The ground anchors are available with 3 different blade diameters
