Abstract:
Drilled deep foundation are utilized throughout the world. For these foundation units to serve their intended purpose, they must be properly constructed and capable of carrying their required load. As the use of drilled shafts has become more and more prominent, techniques to verify their proper construction and structural integrity have continued to evolve.
Recently developed testing methods and associated equipment to evaluate drilled shaft construction and integrity include the shaft quantitative inspection device (SQUID) and the shaft area profile evaluator (SHAPE). The SQUID provides an assessment of the cleanliness of the base of a drilled shaft excavation. The equipment is deployed to the shaft bottom and collects measurements at select locations. The measurements are evaluated to assess the amount of debris at the base of the shaft or the competency of the bearing geomaterial. The SQUID provides immediate and quantifiable assessment of the shaft base condition.
SHAPE is used to evaluate drilled shaft excavation dimensions and verticality and can identify irregularities which can affect shaft capacity. Multiple SHAPE device types allow for evaluation in wet or dry conditions. The SHAPE can be deployed into the shaft excavation by multiple methods. The test results are immediately available for review after performing the test, or can be viewed in real time as the test commences.
Thermal Integrity Profiling (TIP) is a relatively newly developed integrity testing technique. TIP uses the temperature generated by curing cement along the entire length of a foundation element to evaluate integrity inside and outside the reinforcing cage. Recent advancements to the testing equipment and data accessibility and evaluation have improved the testing method.
This presentation will discuss SHAPE and SQUID testing methods as well as advances in Thermal Integrity Profiling.