Abstract:
A review of the literature shows that pile integrity is a significant concern in pile construction. Recently, a
new integrity test, thermal integrity profiling (TIP,) has been put into use in foundation construction. It
measures temperature changes and thermal profiles of concrete during curing. Heat generation and
dissipation of early-age concrete is determined by the concrete mix, the ground conditions and the shape of
concrete structure. The current data interpretation practice is primary based on experience. Anomaly
detection through direct analysis of temperature profiles is currently indicative or suggestive and
temperature signatures are usually similar, and numerous causes are not easily isolated. The core of the TIP
testing technique, i.e. collecting detailed temperature measurements along the pile during the hydration
process, is promising but a new interpretation approach is required. In this paper, a new interpretation
approach has been developed in which TIP constitutes the first step. An investigative staged process is then
followed to establish and assess the anomalies in the problematic regions along the pile employing the
combined use of detailed finite element (FE) simulations, the actual temperature data from TIP and genetic
evolution algorithms. In each stage, more details could be revealed about the anomalies being investigated
including, ultimately, location, size and shape; this staged process enables practitioners to follow a riskbased approach and decide whether or not to pursue subsequent stages depending on the results they get at
the end of each stage. This new approach, depending on the stages required for the analysis, will potentially
avail practicing engineers of crucial test results about the quality of the pile immediately following pile
construction, hence enabling repair and remedial work straight away at a lower cost.