Thermal Integrity Testing of Drilled Shafts GMEC Conference April 30, 2009 Presented by: Gray Mullins, Ph.D., P.E.

Overview  Background  System Overview  New Modeling Developments Hydration energy parameters Soil temperature boundary conditions  Conclusions

1 - 4 & US 192 Why Test Shaft Integrity?

1 - 4 & SR 400 Why Test Shaft Integrity?

1 - 4 & SR 400 Why Test Shaft Integrity?

Thermal Integrity Testing System  Focused Infrared detectors (four per probe)  Depth encoded wheel  Computerized data acquisition  3-D Signal matching program

Depth encoder Data acquisition Access Tubes Lead Wire to Infrared Probe

Single Shaft Heat Signature

Loss of Cover Necking in the shafts shows as lower than normal temperature.

Loss of Cover

CSL DOES NOT SHOW LOSS OF COVER

3-D Image of Shaft underground with cover loss 2-D Thermograph of Shaft underground with cover loss

Sample Data

Over-pour / Bulging Excess concrete cover or bulging around the normal shaft shape shows as higher than normal temperature.

Model Results Measured Results Measured Modeled

Cage Misalignment An un-centered cage provides more cover on one side and less on the other. This shows as higher or lower than normal temperature as discussed earlier.

Cage Alignment

This part gets technical not for some audiences  We are good at predicting shaft shape underground due to very accurate concrete energy models  The next several slide discuss how energy is computed so we know how hot or cold a normal shaft should be.

Modeling Energy Production Cementitious composition Flyash composition Total cementitious concent Water cement ratio

Hydration Energy (Schindler, 2005) Cement Energy Production Total Energy Production

Hydration Energy (Schindler, 2005) Degree of Hydration Rate of Energy Production

Input Parameters (available from concrete supplier)

Good Models Tell us what normal temperature should be Cast Shaft Test Shaft 28 hrs after casting Shaft Size 42 inches Normal shaft temp = 124F

Ground Temperature Modeling MUST KNOW ORIGINAL GROUND TEMP Ground temperature not constant with depth Dependent on soil type, time of day, day of year, previous daily air temperature Long duration modeling used to condition the soil temperature boundary conditions

Historical Air Temperature (soil conditioning) Test Date

Daily Air Temperature (time of casting to testing) Time of Casting Time of Testing

February ‘08

March ‘08

April ‘08

May ‘08

June ‘08

July ‘08

September ’08 (hottest)

September ‘08

October ‘08

November ’08 (early)

November ’08 (cold snap)

December ‘08

January ‘09

Manual Soil Temperature Measurements Provide Model Calibration / Verification Cold Shaft Testing (4 year old test shaft) Modeled

Conclusions  Infra-red Thermal Integrity testing shows remarkable capability to detect anomalies outside the reinforcing cage (bulges, necks,) as well as misaligned cages  Advances in modeling energy production and soil temperature increase resolution of anomaly predictions.

Home About FGE Services Projects Contact 712 East Alsobrook Street, Suite 3 Plant City, FL Office: (813) Fax: (813) Infrared Integrity Services available at