Modeling Inclusions in Deep Foundations Integrity Tested by Thermal Methods-Video

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The presentation examined numerical modeling of thermal integrity profiling (TIP) for drilled shafts. Using COMSOL, the researchers modeled concrete hydration and heat transfer through soil, testing how inclusions of different sizes and locations affect temperature readings. Results suggest TIP can detect substantial sand layers and defects near sensor wires, but very small anomalies—particularly those affecting less than about 5% of the shaft—may produce weak signals. Comparisons with low-strain and cross-hole sonic logging showed that each method has different detection limits.<br /><br />A field case study broadly matched modeled and measured temperature profiles: both identified a deeper tremie breach, while a smaller upper breach was not clearly detected. The discussion noted that numerical models may help interpret unusual results and explore detection limits, though routine signal matching is not yet established. Pile-group thermal effects appeared limited in the examples discussed, and deliberately creating controlled defects proved difficult.

Keywords

thermal integrity profiling

drilled shafts

numerical modeling

concrete hydration

temperature anomalies

defect detection