PLATIPUS UTILITY SYSTEMS



Platipus Utility Systems have been designed to provide a quick, efficient anchoring solution for the Electricity and Telecommunication distribution networks. The basic concept has been continually refined over many years, resulting in an unequalled generation of quality products.

The extensive range of anchor systems, available in either ‘Bat’ or ‘Stealth’ formats, offers sufficient options to suit virtually all applications and loads. Furthermore, the combination of the exclusive T-Loc mechanism with specifically designed tendons provides the user with a number of unique and versatile options to suit environmental conditions and required load specifications.

The ease with which the user can assemble the right products saves time, labour and money in the field. Because no excavation is necessary with the Platipus System, there is no danger of working in deep unshuttered holes or with expensive earth moving equipment to establish an anchoring point.

The anchor can be driven into undisturbed earth with the use of low-cost, lightweight portable tools (see Tool and Accessories for more information). It is then ready for use in a few minutes. A team of two can quickly install an anchor, reload the equipment and move on to the next location. Consequently, a crew of two can produce many anchor installations over a very short period of time.

The Platipus anchoring system outperforms conventional methods of stay anchoring and its competitors in tests on:

• driving time;
• loadlock distances; and
• final load holding capabilities.

Also, as part of the system, every anchor can be tested to check the actual load achieved. This unique ability to almost instantaneously produce proven loads represents a distinct advantage over other systems.

INSTALLATION OF UTILITY ANCHORING SYSTEMS



The anchor system can be installed by hand or by using a variety of pneumatic or hydraulic breakers. The anchors themselves can generally be installed in a matter of minutes with a 2-man crew in nearly all conditions.

The system is extremely versatile and can be used for anchoring in the difficult situations frequently encountered with utility systems (e.g., brush, trees, steep banks, alongside walls and in other constrained spaces). It can be installed with minimum disturbance to the surroundings and does not require expensive and time-consuming shuttering.

LOADLOCKING AND PROOF TESTING OF UTILITY SYSTEMS



Using either manual or power assisted loadlock jacks, the anchors may be loadlocked and proof tested quite simply and in just a few minutes. The system removes the uncertainty of traditional techniques providing accurate measurement of loads achieved, effectively taking out the guesswork that exists in other methods.

T-LOC TERMINATIONS IN UTILITY ANCHORING SYSTEMS



T-Loc terminations are particularly useful when employed in utility anchoring systems. They provide a great degree of flexibility for on-site anchor and tendon assembly. They allow deeper installation of the anchor where the ground is poor and offer the user a choice of top fittings, depending upon site requirements. This termination protects the tendon from installation damage and can be used with high capacity compacted and UV–protected, plastic impregnated tendons.

Ferrule Termination with Utility Anchoring Systems

A ferrule is an oval tube used for securing the end of the tendon to itself. The tendon is placed through the correct size ferrule and then turned back on itself through the ferrule again, forming the shape of an eye. It is then placed into a swaging press and squeezed to a set dimension to secure it.

This type of ferrule termination is available in two materials. Aluminium, which is suitable for use with a galvanized tendon, and copper, which is suitable for use with a stainless steel tendon. The use of these ferrules also facilitates the use of UV resistant plastic impregnated tendon in utility applications.











Environmental Seal
To enable an aluminium ferrule to be swaged onto plastic impregnated tendon, the outer covering of the plastic must be stripped to expose the galvanized tendon below. This creates a point of weakness in the polyethylene’s long-term corrosion resistance. To prevent any problem in this respect, the swaged ferrule and exposed tendon are covered and environmentally sealed using a heat shrink sleeve. This sleeve ensures that no water can penetrate the galvanized tendon and so maintains the plastic impregnated system’s resistance to corrosion.

BACK TO APPLICATION OF PLATIPUS SYSTEM