Innovative technology developed by engineers at the University of Aberdeen was awarded a prestigious international industry accolade at a ceremony in London last night (Wednesday December 8).
GRANIT - (Ground Anchorage Integrity Testing) - is a major artificial intelligence based breakthrough in non-destructive testing systems for ground anchorages and rock bolts used to support for example, tunnels, mines and retaining walls.
The technology has the potential to provide an increased health and safety environment for individual mine and tunnel workers, and can be used as part of a regular condition monitoring regime in order to protect and safeguard the tunnel or mine. It is currently licensed to Halcrow plc.
GRANIT won the Technical Innovation category of the inaugural New Civil Engineering International Tunnelling Awards, which celebrate and reward outstanding work and innovation in the global tunnelling industry.
The Technical Innovation award recognises projects within the tunnelling market which deliver to clients improved performance or make a technique or idea possible, which previously may have been ruled out.
This is the latest in a series of prestigious awards the technology has received.
The University of Aberdeen’s GRANIT Team — which comprises, Professor Albert Rodger, Vice-Principal and Head of the College of Physical Sciences at the University of Aberdeen, and Drs Richard Neilson, Ana Ivanovic and Andrew Starkey from the institution’s School of Engineering — were represented at the awards ceremony which took place at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London last night, and was attended by over 300 delegates.
Professor Rodger said: “GRANIT represents a major contribution to safety in the construction and mining industries. I am delighted that we have received the recognition from industry that this major international award represents. This is an excellent example of University research being developed and applied very effectively in industry.“
For more information on GRANIT visit www.granituk.com/