Category: Civil Engineering & Construction

Anchor Systems recently completed a slope stabilisation project at Tower Close, Horsham, to address a significant failure that posed risks to a local highway and private property. The project required an innovative approach to restore safety and ensure long-term stability.

Working alongside Ibex Consulting Engineers, we implemented a tailored geotechnical design featuring the Vulcan Earth Anchor, a highly durable and effective ground anchor system. A total of 27 anchors were installed in a diamond formation, complemented by Greenax erosion control mats and anchor drains to prevent hydrostatic pressure build-up. These measures delivered a robust solution, safeguarding the slope for its 120-year design life while protecting the environment.

Completed in just seven days, the project highlights our ability to deliver fast and efficient solutions for complex ground stabilisation challenges.

• Client: Private
• Consultant/Engineer: Ibex Consulting Engineers
• Contractor: Hartmann Construction Ltd

Learn more about this project and how we achieved long-lasting results here

Anchor Systems (International) Ltd have featured in a number of Rail Professional publications, below are the issues we have featured in this year.

Click on the images to read the relating articles:

March 2022

In the March issue, you can read about our new Quick-Stage with Anchor Screw foundations used on a Network Rail project in Flitwick, Bedfordshire.

 

May 2022

In May’s issue, read about a project where Anchor System’s Vulcan Earth anchors were used to stabilise railway bridge abutments on the A339 in Alton.

 

June 2022

In the June issue, read about our new and existing innovative level crossing and trackside systems.

 

We have upgraded our range of Hydraulic Power Pack’s to include more benefits for the user.

 

• Collapsible handle – Making it easy to manoeuvre

• Hinged carry lid – Provides somewhere to carry hoses while still being able to easily access the engine

• UK manufactured engine – Reliable and easily serviceable

• 20-30L – Can be used to install Anchor Posts, Anchor Screws and Vulcan Earth Anchors

• Available to hire or purchase

 

Download the technical information brochure HERE

 

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Hot off the press and just landed at Anchor Systems HQ is our brand new Anchor Screw brochure! Download it now.

Our patented Anchor Screw is an easy to install foundation solution that has enhanced environmental benefits compared to it’s alternatives.

This system was designed and evolved from the needs of some Network Rail projects that required to improve both the efficiency and sustainability of their standard construction materials and methods.

The Anchor Screw eradicates the need to use concrete and is made in Britain from 100% recycled UK steel. It can also be made with a 100+ year lifespan making it economical as well sustainable.

You can see the system in use in these two project reports:
Hither Green Signalling Renewal Project
Westbourne Park Segregation Barrier Project

Benefits and Features

• Speed
  Typically installed in under 10 minutes per anchor

• Easy to Install
  Zero on-track plant or RRV’s required as installed with lightweight, handheld equipment

• Dust
  Zero dust is generated as no cementitious products required

• Environmental
  Fully reusable and Made in Britain from UK recycled steel

• Longevity
  Can be designed with 50 or 100+ year lifespans dependant on client requirements

• Water and Drying Times
  Zero water consumed or drying time required, as no wet trades involved

• HAVS
  Zero risk as the installation equipment is non-percussive

• Noise
  Installation is relatively quiet. The installation equipment runs at 80-85db

• Versatility
  Easily adjustable to guarantee the correct positioning with patented design features

• Mess and Waste Materials
  Zero mess due to no digging required nor any general wasted materials, which reduce manhours and project risks

 

You can download the brochure here: Download Now

Or if you would like to book a CPD presentation for you and your team or get your hands on a physical copy then pop us an email: info@anchorsystems.co.uk

The Challenge

Traditionally, anchorage solutions for backstays use steel sledges with concrete kentledge blocks loaded on to them. This method requires large quantities of concrete blocks to be delivered to the site yard from Balfour Beatty’s Raynesway, Derby stores, then distributed to site using a Man 4×4 wagon with Hiab to install. The maximum number of blocks that can be carried at any one time is 4, meaning several trips are required per location. Additionally, temporary works are required, and Trackway is also needed to get the Man 4×4 to site.

 

The Measure

Together with the Innovations Team, the project team at ZL Great Missenden OHL pioneered the use of the Vulcan Earth Anchor system (distributed by Anchor Systems International) as an alternative to the traditional method of anchorage. These earth anchors are installed by inserting a drive rod into the anchor driving point and knocking them into the ground. The anchors are driven into the ground by using hand tools or excavators. Ground level anchor plates can be manufactured to the required angle for each individual location as needed.

This innovative alternative meant the reduction of materials used, decreased need for temporary works, removed the need for trakway installation, reduced the construction ecological footprint (for size, setup and delivery) and reduced transport costs. Additionally, the steel drive rods can be removed and reused again. Also recycled wooden pallets are used which are returned to supplier for re-use and the plastic shrink wrap used by Anchor Systems is a Biodegradable wrap.

 

“Having witnessed the use of this system on site, I found the ease of this installation, very impressive. The logistical reduction and numerous beneficial practicalities speak for themselves and I would like to see the implementation of this system on other schemes where possible”
Andy Robinson, Project Supervisor National Grid.

 

The Results

 

• Reduce relative project ecological footprint through reduction in temporary works and removal of required trakway installation (the need for 915m of trakway was mitigated)

• Reduced need for possible trakway ecological mitigations (i.e. trakway sealing for Great Crested Newts/reptiles)

• Delivering a cost saving of £11,849.74 (trackway and transportation costs)

• Material reuse

• Reduced project carbon footprint for backstays from 260,775kg to 7,727kg, for a total saving 253,048kg CO2*

 

*Calculated using National Grid’s Carbon Interface Tool (CIT)

 

Download this report HERE

 

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Did you know that concrete is the most destructive material on Earth?

It is the most widely used man-made material in existence. It is second only to water as the most-consumed resource on the planet. In an ever-changing world where we are trying to reduce our carbon footprint, we are overlooking one of the biggest causes. Concrete is said to be responsible for around 8% of the world’s CO2 emissions. We have focused largely over the past several years on reducing our plastic use, yet all the plastic produced over the past 60 years amounts to 8bn tonnes, the cement industry pumps out more than that every two years.

 

We are not saying never use concrete. There is a place for concrete until we find something else that compares with it without the negative impact on the environment. But why use concrete unnecessarily?

 

When looking at foundation systems, instead of digging up vast areas of earth and filling them with concrete, look at alternatives.

 

The Anchor Post and Anchor Screw are made up from 100% recycled British steel, do not require any concrete to hold them in place and there is no digging required or removing of the soil. As there is no concrete there is no drying time and installations can be completed in a single visit. The unique dome head allows for adjustments to be made easily and simply. Bespoke interface plates can be designed to suit each individual application.

On a recent project with Balfour Beatty and Network Rail (see here), our system was used instead of concrete and the below results were recorded:

 

• 60 per cent time saving on foundation installation

 

• 40 per cent cost saving of £369 per metre to £221 per metre (derived from man hour savings, elimination of plant requirements, reduced possession requirements)

 

• 73 per cent embodied carbon reduction on materials, equivalent to 13,920kg CO2e and 89.4 per cent material saving

 

• Zero on-track plant and zero water consumed

 

• UK manufacturing and local materials, eliminating mainland European transportation miles

 

If you would like to find out more about the Anchor Post or Anchor Screw and how it can eradicate the need for concrete and make your next project a more sustainable one, then please email us or contact us on 01342 719 362.

You can also download our brochures here.

 

 

 

Sources:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46455844

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2018/06/making-concrete-change-innovation-low-carbon-cement-and-concrete

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/feb/25/concrete-the-most-destructive-material-on-earth

 

A Vulcan Earth Anchor^® is a percussion driven mechanical ground anchor. It can also be referred to as an Earth Anchor or Percussion Anchor.

Vulcan Earth Anchors are used as a cost effective and rapidly installed system to provide a positive force on a verity or projects.

The Vulcan Earth Anchor range was designed by Anchor Systems (International) Ltd as a simple, reliable and cost-effective ground anchoring solution with the ability to provide immediate loading capacities from 1 – 450kN in displaceable ground conditions with extensive applications.

 

The concept involves a specially designed earth anchor with a larger surface area, attached to high yield tie bars or tendons to suit a variety of conditions, being driven into the ground where it is locked in position. The tensile load is applied, and the exposed end locked off and terminated.

 

With their ease of use and speed of installation, Vulcan Earth Anchors provide a time and cost saving alternative to more traditional means of anchoring, particularly where tight programme schedules are involved. This combined with the wide range of sizes available means that the Vulcan Earth Anchor has gained recognition across a vast array of applications internationally.

 

Benefits:

• Larger surface area allowing the Vulcan Earth Anchor to achieve the greatest holding capacity in all ground conditions
• Rapid installation
• Largest range of anchors in the World ranging from 1 – 450kN+
• We are the only company globally to manufacture and stock fully stainless-steel systems
• Bespoke design available
• Huge stock of plant and products with next day delivery available
• Made in Britain

 

If you would like more details on our Vulcan Earth Anchor you can view our brochure or email us.

 

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Our latest article in the New Civil Engineer magazine covers our recent project in association with Galliford Try and Van Elle to create temporary support to an under bridge along the M1.

 

 

 

 

 

Read the full article below:

“Anchor Systems (International) was approached by Galliford Try and piling and ground engineering
specialist contractor Van Elle to design a temporary ground anchor scheme forming part of sheet pile temporary works at an under bridge on the M1 junction 13 to 16 smart motorway scheme.

Ground investigation data provided by the client suggested that the anchors would be installed into made ground forming the motorway embankment, a material that can be challenging to work with, due to its varied nature. The required prop forces were defined by the client which allowed Anchor Systems’ in-house design department to select the AS-300 as the correct anchor from its range of Vulcan earth anchors. Once the initial concept was approved by the client, an indemnified design
was provided. This identified the tendon diameter based on load requirements and the acceptable deflections of the sheet pile wall.

To validate the design, which up to this point was based on interpretation of ground investigation data, a series of test anchors was installed and tested to ensure they met or exceeded the predicted performance. Programme constraints meant that vertical test anchors had to be used, installed behind the pile line such that they intersected the stratum where the live anchors would be positioned. Under the supervision of Anchor Systems staff, four test anchors were installed by Van Elle, one at each bridge abutment, using a hydraulic breaker mounted on a 13t excavator. These
were then “load locked” using a high pressure hollow hydraulic ram, achieving a maximum load of 220kN, which Anchor Systems has said is greater than that achievable by other UK ground anchor
manufacturers. The load information, together with details of the installation time, was then used by Anchor Systems’ design department to substantiate the original design. The final design document was then passed to the client for its review and acceptance. Following on from a successful acceptability test and geotechnical design, the systems have been approved and installation is currently underway.”

 

 

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