If approved, the Texas High-Speed Train will be the United ...
6
On April 15, 1986, PDI/GRL’s first newsletter announced the anticipated release of the second version of WEAP, wave equation analysis of pile driving, WEAP86. Here in our 96th newsletter, we proudly announce the next major release of the program, GRLWEAP14, available in February 2021. GRLWEAP is a one-dimensional Wave Equation Analysis Software Program that simulates a pile’s response to pile driving equipment. It is the industry’s standard program for pile simulation and analysis. The program enables users to determine the most sufficient and economical hammer to drive a job specific pile per estimated soil conditions prior to hammer mobilization. For each analyzed geotechnical resistance at the time of driving, the program calculates hammer energy, driving resistance (blow count), as well as maximum compressive and tension stresses. As in earlier versions, GRLWEAP14’s installation package includes help data files and background reports. The program is available in two versions: professional and offshore. GRLWEAP Offshore Wave Version includes exclusive features designed for challenging situations (free riding hammers and battered piles) and special analysis options such as fatigue output tables. GRLWEAP14 allows the user to apply multiple hammers and driving systems to the same pile and soil model in a bearing graph analysis, while reducing the number of required input files. Also, the process of evaluating multiple hammers is streamlined. For driveability analyses, the program supports hammer changes at different pile penetrations. For example, users can start with a smaller hammer and change to a larger hammer as the driving resistance increases with further penetration. After modeling the driving scenarios, GRLWEAP14 allows users to review the graphical output in a quick results tab adjacent to the “Input Screen.” Alternatively, users can review the results on separate output screens for a more traditional graphical and tabular preview. Then, with a single click, users can export the results to a summary report to present the findings of multiple hammers. From other output views, users can review additional variables versus time or extrema tables for fatigue analyses. GRLWEAP14 added more static analysis options. These newly incorporated options include the FHWA/driven method, as adapted from the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) driven program, the CPT based Alm & Hamre (A&H) Friction Fatigue (FF) Method, and the API2 Method, which consists of a soil-type based method and four CPT Analysis Methods. These static analysis methods help to prepare static resistance inputs. Analysis options from earlier versions were carried over from GRLWEAP 2010. For example, users that cannot use A&H because of a lack of CPT data, the GRLWEAP 2010 FF algorithm remains available. Additionally, the different calculated resistance distributions for all analyzed pile tip penetrations are directly displayed to help novice users better understand the FF approach. For new GRLWEAP users, or for those who need a refresher on key concepts, PDI currently offers real-time webinar courses and hopes to resume in-person courses in the near future. Visit PDI’s On Demand recorded webinars library located at www.pile.com. Additionally, GRL Engineers can provide wave equation analyses services for those with minimal program experience or for those that need a quick turnaround on analyses for complex situations. Whatever your needs may be, we look forward to serving them with continual innovations in GRLWEAP. For additional information, please visit pile.com/products/grlweap. A New Code for SPT Energy Evaluation Emerges in Brazil In October 2020, the Brazilian Association of Technical Codes (ABNT) published code NBR 16796:2020, whose title translates to “Soil – Standard method for energy evaluation in SPT”. Because of this new code, interest in the SPT Analyzer has increased in Brazil and other neighboring countries. DID YOU KNOW? Newsletter No. 96 - December, 2020 If approved, the Texas High-Speed Train will be the United State’s first of its kind, with trains running smoothly at 186 mph. Innovations in Wave Equation Analysis with GRLWEAP14 By Brent Robinson, PhD, P.E. SPT Energy Evaluation with the SPT Analyzer GRLWEAP14 “Input Screen" and “Quick Results” Graphical Summary
Transcript of If approved, the Texas High-Speed Train will be the United ...
On April 15 1986 PDIGRLrsquos first newsletter announced the anticipated release of the second version of WEAP wave equation analysis of pile driving WEAP86 Here in our 96th newsletter we proudly announce the next major release of the program GRLWEAP14 available in February 2021
GRLWEAP is a one-dimensional Wave Equation Analysis Software Program that simulates a pilersquos response to pile driving equipment It is the industryrsquos standard program for pile simulation and analysis The program enables users to determine the most sufficient and economical hammer to drive a job specific pile per estimated soil conditions prior to hammer mobilization
For each analyzed geotechnical resistance at the time of driving the program calculates hammer energy driving resistance (blow count) as well as maximum compressive and tension stresses As in earlier versions GRLWEAP14rsquos installation package includes help data files and background reports The program is available in two versions professional and offshore GRLWEAP Offshore Wave Version includes exclusive features designed for challenging situations (free riding hammers and battered piles) and special analysis options such as fatigue output tables
GRLWEAP14 allows the user to apply multiple hammers and driving systems to the same pile and soil model in a bearing graph analysis while reducing the number of required input files Also the process of evaluating multiple hammers is streamlined For driveability analyses the program supports hammer changes at different pile penetrations For example users can start with a smaller hammer and change to a larger hammer as the driving resistance increases with further penetration
After modeling the driving scenarios GRLWEAP14 allows users to review the graphical output in a quick results tab adjacent to the ldquoInput Screenrdquo Alternatively users can review the results on separate output screens for a more traditional graphical and tabular preview Then with a single click users can export the results to a summary report to present the findings of multiple hammers From other output views users
can review additional variables versus time or extrema tables for fatigue analyses
GRLWEAP14 added more static analysis options These newly incorporated options include the FHWAdriven method as adapted from the Federal Highway Administrationrsquos (FHWA) driven program the CPT based Alm amp Hamre (AampH) Friction Fatigue (FF) Method and the API2 Method which consists of a soil-type based method and four CPT Analysis Methods These static analysis methods help to prepare static resistance inputs
Analysis options from earlier versions were carried over from GRLWEAP 2010 For example users that cannot use AampH because of a lack of CPT data the GRLWEAP 2010 FF algorithm remains available Additionally the different calculated resistance distributions for all analyzed pile tip penetrations are directly displayed to help novice users better understand the FF approach
For new GRLWEAP users or for those who need a refresher on key concepts PDI currently offers real-time webinar courses and hopes to resume in-person courses in the near future Visit PDIrsquos On Demand recorded webinars library located at wwwpilecom Additionally GRL Engineers can provide wave equation analyses services for those with minimal program experience or for those that need a quick turnaround on analyses for complex situations
Whatever your needs may be we look forward to serving them with continual innovations in GRLWEAP For additional information please visit pilecomproductsgrlweap
A New Code for SPT Energy Evaluation Emerges in Brazil
In October 2020 the Brazilian Association of Technical Codes (ABNT) published code NBR 167962020 whose title translates to ldquoSoil ndash Standard method for energy evaluation in SPTrdquo Because of this new code interest in the SPT Analyzer has increased in Brazil and other neighboring countries
DID YOU KNOW
Newsletter No 96 - December 2020
If approved the Texas High-Speed Train will be the United Statersquos first of its kind with trains running smoothly at 186 mph
Innovations in Wave Equation Analysis with GRLWEAP14By Brent Robinson PhD PE
SPT Energy Evaluation with the SPT Analyzer GRLWEAP14 ldquoInput Screen and ldquoQuick Resultsrdquo Graphical Summary
Case Study Dynamic Measurements of Vibratory Driven Composite Steel Piles Subjected to Axial and Bending
ForcesBy Alex Ryberg PE
During a vibratory driving project a challenging test program involved taking dynamic measurements on non-uniform piles during vibratory driving This measurement and interpretation project was performed to aid in the investigation of weld fractures occurring during pile installation
The composite piles were built-up steel members with an overall open cross-section The hammer was a Movax Sonic Grip model with 50 Hz maximum driving frequency with a maximum centrifugal force of 200 kips (900 kN) Initially the vibratory hammer was clamped to brackets welded to the pilersquos sides approximately one third of the length below the pilersquos top This was done to set and correctly align the pile Then the pile was vibratory driven as far as possible with a side-mounted hammer before it was top driven with the vibratory hammer clamped to brackets welded to a heavy steel plate that was welded to the piles top
One level of instrumentation was located a short distance below the top pile plate and a second one near the lower attachment brackets The sensors on the lower level of instrumentation were removed when the hammer clamping was switched from side to top brackets During the side mounted driving 8 PDA data channels were used for analysis During top driving to design depth 4 PDA data channels were used Dynamic testing was conducted at a site with easy pile driving conditions and at a second site where refusal driving occurred At both sites the driving progress was monitored with a video camera in addition to recording the PDA data
Given the corrected force records the post processing program calculated the peak values of stress force soil resistance (at the time of driving) and power transfer It also generated summary plots and time histories of measured and derived quantities
The soil resistance proved less important than stresses acceleration and forces For that reason averaged strains stresses forces as well as the individual signals were evaluated The bending stresses were estimated at the bracket attachment points with the offset of the strain sensors from the neutral axis The bending stresses were highest when the soil resistance was minimal or when the pile was practically only supported by the vibrating hammer All processed records were searched for maxima and minima of stresses and accelerations
The test program results determined that the axial stresses were typically less than 5 ksi (35 MPa) during hard driving During easy driving the stresses could almost reach 6 ksi (42 MPa) because of bending Generally the maximum acceleration levels were less than 10 grsquos Depending on the soil resistance hammer frequencies varied between 15 and 50 Hz
For additional information visit wwwgrlengineerscom
Follow Us On Social Media
GRL Engineers Inc +12168316131infoGRLengineerscomwwwGRLengineerscomCalifornia bull Colorado bull Florida bull Georgia Illinois bull Louisiana bull North Carolina bull Ohio Pennsylvania bull Texas bull Washington
Pile Dynamics Inc+12168316131infopilecomwwwpilecom30725 Aurora Rd Cleveland OH 44139
Pile Driving with a Vibratory Hammer
After field testing the PDA strain and acceleration measurements were analyzed using a post processing program which balanced the signals integrated the acceleration to velocity under consideration of the pile penetration speed and integrated velocity to displacement Next the video recordings were analyzed for pile penetration speed vs depth The strain measurements were converted to force after adding a static component which represented the hammer weight
Upcoming EventsJanuary 2021
12 17-18
March 20218 9 amp 10
1516 or 18
Webinar Series Benefits of PDA-DLT Software (Register)
PDI Office Hours PDA Webinar (Register)PDI Office Hours TIP Webinar (Register) Basics of CAPWAPreg Webinar (Register) Advanced CAPWAPreg Webinar (Register)
DFDTA Workshop Orlando FL PDA Proficiency Test Administered (Register) Webinar Series IGRLWEAP14-Exploring the User Interface (Register)
Due to COVID-19 any of the above events may be canceled or postponed as restrictions unfold Please visit our websites for updates
GRLPDI extends gratitude to our readers and wish all a safe and prosperous 2021 Happy Holidays
1112 or 14
05
February 2021
24 - 25
Driving Results with the Pile Driving Analyzer reg (PDA)
No industry is immune to the impact and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic Globally companies are being forced to rethink daily operations and adapt business models to align with new social distancing guidelines The construction industry is no exception The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) a federal agency of the United States responsible for workplace safety has issued guidance for construction operations to mitigate risk exposure by implementing engineering controls
PDIrsquos remote testing technologies for the deep foundation industry help keep projects moving safely during the pandemic When a project requires a non-destructive testing of drilled shafts augered cast-in-place (ACIP) and diaphragm walls the Thermal Integrity Profiling (TIP) system can be used as a tool to further help mitigate COVID-19 and other risks The TIP system utilizes heat generated by curing concrete to assess shaft integrity and reinforcing cage alignment PDIrsquos data loggers Thermal Aggregator (TAG) collect TIP data from multiple Thermal Acquisition Port (TAP-EDGE) boxes attached to a foundation element Automatically the TAP-Edge boxes transmit all data to the secure PDI-Cloud portal
Compared to other state-of-practice non-destructive testing methods the use of cloud-based TIP data acquisition helps minimize risk exposure by eliminating most onsite contact between the TIP consultant and the project team From March through July 2020 the number of shafts monitored remotely quadrupled as compared to the same time in 2019 In response GRL Engineers has shifted TIP integrity testing services to nearly 100 cloud-based
Signature Bridge Miami FLTo date the largest construction project to use 100 TIP
testing is the ongoing I-395SR-836I-95 Signature Bridge project in Miami Florida This ground-breaking design build project with construction by Archer Western de Moya JV is a complete reconfiguration of this key transportation corridor in downtown Miami and will incorporate thousands of 30 in (760 mm) and 36 in (910 mm) CFA piles ranging in length from 85 ft (26 m) to 135 ft (41 m)
This projectrsquos pile type as well as the need to maintain a rapid construction pace made the TIP system an opportunistic testing method As a result all piles are instrumented with Thermal Wire cables and use PDIrsquos cellular based TAGTAP-Edge system to push collected data to a secure cloud-based server After each pile installation one TAG and three TAP-Edges are attached to the Thermal cables on each pile Then the temperature vs depth data is collected every 15 minutes
and pushed to the cloud-based server every hour This allows the engineers at Universal Engineering Servicesrsquo Jacksonville office to remotely access the data for analysis as well as view the preliminary results being reported in near real time
ldquoWe are using Thermal Integrity Profiling to evaluate the integrity of auger-cast piles for support of the I-395 Signature Bridge project in Miami PDI has been very responsive and helpfulrdquo stated Joshua Adams Universal Engineering Sciences Inc
A fleet of TAGs and TAP-Edges are rotated regularly to handle the pace of construction which involves numerous piles per day spread across a large site footprint With peak temperatures occurring anywhere from 24 to 36 hours the TAG system greatly reduces the need for onsite testing personnel working at each pile Analysis can be far more efficient because results are available quicker than alternative test methods
Implementing Thermal Monitoring with Integrity Testing The Circle Interchange reconstruction project is in the heart of downtown Chicago IL This nearly $800 million dollar Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) project began in 2013 and is expected to conclude in 2022 During this time portions of the current phase were converted from Crosshole Sonic Logging (CSL) to TIP The scope of this project phase includes integrity testing of approximately 100 drilled shafts 6 ft (2 m) in diameter and 80 ft (24 m) in length Each shaft is instrumented along the longitudinal rebar with Thermal Wire cables installed equidistantly around the reinforcing cage After concrete placement via tremie method a TAG and TAP-Edges are connected to the cables to begin remote data collection
Thermal monitoring for mass concrete is also specified on this project In addition to the perimeter cables for integrity testing a single node Thermal Wire cable is also installed approximately 15 ft (4 m) below the top of the concrete close to the shaft center Throughout the hydration process the temperature differentials are monitored between center sensor and a sensor located on a perimeter cable at the same elevation Furthermore peak concrete temperatures near the core are monitored and real time data is transmitted to the
DID YOU KNOW
Newsletter No 95 - August 2020
When being onsite is not possible or cost effective GRL Engineers can offer remote testing and analysis services
Cloud-Based Remote Thermal Integrity ProfilingBy Danny Belardo and Jim Zammataro
Image courtesy of httpwwwi395-miamicom
TIP Temperature vs depth results
GRL Welcomes New Engineers
GRL Engineers Inc proudly announces the addition of four engineers to its team
Dennis Kiptoo received his undergraduate from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in 2010 and proceeded to obtain two Masterrsquos degrees the first MSCE was from the University of Cape Town in 2016 and the second was from Virginia Tech in 2020 Dennis joins GRL-PA
Stephanie Gomez graduated with her BSCE from Georgia Southern University in 2020 There she was a member of the International Ambassadorrsquos Executive Team and was Vice President-elect of the ASCE Student Chapter Stephanie also joins GRL-PA
Saphal Phuyal graduated from Clemson University in 2020 with his MSCE There he studied geotechnical engineering and gained experience in performing site investigations in structural design Saphal joins GRL-IL
Matthew Perrella graduated with his MS Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from West Virginia University in 2018 where he also received his BS in Mining Engineering He is experienced in MWDLWD field engineering programs as a dust technician and safety inspector as well as an educator in K-12 and at the university level Matthew joined GRL-OH
New Gamma Gamma Logging Service Offered
GRL Engineers is now offering Gamma Gamma Logging Service (GGL) in the United States GGL is a non-destructive test method used to assess the concrete integrity of drilled shafts through gamma-density correlation GGL is a relatively quick test with no depth restrictions It provides highly repeatable test results while objectively evaluating integrity and relative concrete quality inside and outside of the reinforcing cage
Before the cage is placed in the excavation and concrete poured 2 in (50mm) diameter PVC access tubes are attached to the steel reinforcing cage If testing was not initially planned an engineer can perform GGL by using core holes drilled through the concrete
The GGL test probe has a low-level radioactive source (Cesium-137) at its tip and a shielded detector located 15 in (38 cm) away to assess the concrete density surrounding the access tubes or core holes The
4 ft (12 m) long GGL probe is lowered into each access tube using an electric winch Gamma radiation counts in counts per second (CPS) are logged as the probe is raised at a typical rate of 10 ft (3 m) per minute GGL assesses the bulk density of the concrete from the center of the access tube outward for a radial distance of about 3 in to 4 in (76 mm to 101 mm) using the low-level energy source Based on the calibration data engineers can present profiles of the average bulk density in pounds per cubic foot versus depth
For additional information on GGL visitwwwgrlengineerscomservicesggl
Upcoming EventsSeptember23-24 PDCA DICEP Virtual Conference (piledriversorg)
October13-16 DFI Annual Virtual Conference (dfiorg)
November
11 Deep Foundations Integrity Testing and Wave Equation Analysis Orlando FL (Register)
12-13 High Strain Dynamic Foundation Testing Workshop and Proficiency Test Orlando FL (Register)
Due to COVID-19 all events are subject to cancellation or postponement Periodically check websites for updates
Follow Us On Social Media
GRL Engineers Inc +12168316131infoGRLengineerscomwwwGRLengineerscomCalifornia bull Colorado bull Florida bull Georgia Illinois bull Louisiana bull North Carolina bull Ohio bull Pennsylvania bull Texas bull Washington
Pile Dynamics Inc+12168316131infopilecomwwwpilecom30725 Aurora Rd Cleveland OH 44139
Saphal Phuyal
Matthew Perrella
Stephanie Gomez
Dennis Kiptoo
project team Throughout summer 2020 the thermal monitoring data has been used to adjust the thermal control plans to help keep the curing concrete within project specifications The shafts peak in approximately 30 hours after placement which is when GRL Engineers view the data and issue preliminary results The transmission of data to the cloud-based server has streamlined the data acquisition to report operation
The most critical time for recording TIP data occurs during the hydration curing process until peak concrete temperature is reached PDIrsquos TAG device is used to collect TIP data from multiple TAP-Edge boxes attached to a foundation The data needed for analysis occurs during very early hydration time For this reason PDIrsquos TAG and TAP-Edge system starts transmitting real-time data through the PDI-Cloud to allow engineers designers and the contractor to view all data at once from any location without additional field visits
As with these projects and various others TIP supports accelerated construction because shaft acceptance can be accomplished long before other integrity evaluation methods can be deployed for testing Often TIP saves the project time and money
For additional information on TIP or cloud-based remote testing visit pilecom or send an inquiry to infopilecom
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a range of challenges to industries worldwide At least temporarily many companies have been forced to cease work due to pandemic-related restrictions Infrastructure construction (interstate airport and energy delivery projects) is considered critical and as a result has been declared ldquoessentialrdquo However these projects must continue to abide by ldquosocial distancingrdquo requirements for safety of onsite crews Remote testing capabilities allow projects to continue at accelerated rates with lower costs and most importantly allows jobsites to adhere to todayrsquos health and safety guidelines as well as environmental restrictions
Remote testing capabilities are available for Dynamic Pile Testing Thermal Integrity Profiling Shaft Bottom Cleanliness Assessment and Shaft Profile and Verticality Evaluation Data is collected and viewed in real time by an engineer remotely or saved to a Cloud server The data is then available for immediate assessment
Dynamic Pile Testing with SiteLinkreg Technology
Deep foundation testing is performed during a test program to aid in design as well as during construction to confirm the
design assumptions and meet QAQC requirements A common method for testing deep foundations is Dynamic Pile Testing standardized by ASTM D4945 Available for over four decades this method is utilized widely on both private and public construction projects around the world Dynamic Pile Testing is embraced by the Federal Highway Administration and specified by most State Departments of Transportation
Historically a specialized engineer was necessary to be onsite to attach instrumentation to the pile connect to the data acquisition system (such as the Pile Driving Analyzerreg or PDA) and save the data Upon completion of the testing the engineer would then return to the office to assess the data and prepare a report of the results
Today SiteLinkreg Technology allows the engineer to remotely control the pile testing equipment through an internet connection A complete set of the necessary dynamic testing equipment is sent to the job site The crew then attaches the
sensors (Most construction crews have participated in or have familiarity with dynamic testing While testing either during initial driving or a restrike the engineer can easily explain the steps over the phone) During testing initial pile driving or restrike the engineer controls the PDA remotely in real-time throughout maintaining continuous communication with the site via video voice or text Upon test completion the data is downloaded directly to the engineerrsquos computer allowing them to immediately start the CAPWAPreg analysis and reporting The results are quickly submitted to the owner or responsible engineer for approval As a result construction can continue without delay In addition remote testing lowers overall costs and eliminates COVID-19 transmission between the dynamic testing engineer and the crew
Drilled Shaft Integrity Monitored via the Cloud
Recently for a Thermal Integrity Profiling (TIP) project the contractor installed Thermal Wirereg cables tied to the shaft reinforcement cage prior to concrete placement Once the concrete was placed the cables were attached to TAG data loggers which have cellular capabilities and connect to a password protected Cloud server The contractor at the jobsite communicated the basic shaft information with location and serial numbers of the installed Thermal Wire cables to the engineer located back at the office Temperature data was collected remotely every 15 minutes
Remote Thermal Integrity Profiling allows the engineer to assess integrity issues based on the measured temperatures in the shaft during concrete curing Within 24-hours of concrete placement an evaluation of the shaftrsquos integrity and the results are available via the dedicated Cloud server Remote testing capabilities support continuous construction and allows engineers to assess the integrity of drilled shafts without encountering onsite personnel (article continues on next page)
DID YOU KNOW
Newsletter No 94 - May 2020
Pile Dynamics offers pre-recorded educational webinars to meet your Professional Development Hour (PDH) needs pilecompre-recorded-webinars
Continued Foundation Testing During Challenging Times - From a Safe DistanceBy Travis Coleman PE GRL-IL Alex Ryberg PE GRL-PA Ben White PE GRL-OH
PDI Wireless Sensors
Attaching TAG to Thermal Wirereg Cables Assessing TIP Data Collection
Upcoming EventsJune01
02
03
Webinar Case Histories Cost and Time Savings AchievedthroughThermalIntegrityPro iling(Register) 900 pm ETWebinar Case Histories Cost and Time Savings AchievedthroughThermalIntegrityPro iling(Register) 1100 am ETWebinar Case Histories Cost and Time Savings AchievedthroughThermalIntegrityPro iling(Register) 800 am ET
17-18 SuperPile Virtual (dfiorg)
September
01 State of Practice Seminar Nashville TN (Register)03 State of Practice Seminar Omaha NE (Register)16 Seminar on Deep Foundation Integrity Testing and
Wave Equation Analysis Cleveland OH (Register)17-18 High Strain Dynamic Foundation Testing Workshop
andProficiencyTestCleveland OH (Register)28-30 ADSC Meeting Napa Valley CA (adsc-iafdcom)29 State of Practice Seminar Houston TX (Register)
October
01 ADSC Meeting Napa Valley CA (adsc-iafdcom)01 State of Practice Seminar Dallas TX (Register)13-16 DFI Annual Washington DC (dfiorg)26 State of Practice Seminar Philadelphia PA (Register)28 State of Practice Seminar New York NY (Register)30 State of Practice Seminar Boston MA (Register)
Due to COVID-19 any of the above events may be canceled or postponed as restrictions unfold Please visit our websites for updates
Follow Us On Social Media
GRL Engineers Inc +12168316131infoGRLengineerscomwwwGRLengineerscomCalifornia bull Colorado bull Florida bull Georgia Illinois bull Louisiana bull North Carolina bull Ohio Pennsylvania bull Texas bull Washington
Pile Dynamics Inc+12168316131infopilecomwwwpilecom30725 Aurora Rd Cleveland OH 44139
Assessing Shaft Bottom Cleanliness
An ongoing Ohio Department of Transportation project which uses drilled shafts terminated in soil required that the thickness of debris (disturbed soil and sediment) at the base
of the shaft be measured prior to casting concrete The Shaft Quantitative Inspection Device (SQUID) was proposed to perform the measurements This projectrsquos high production rate lead to the decision that the testing would be performed remotely with the engineer viewing and collecting the data in real time from their office
The ability to schedule a remote test is easily achieved by sending a text message or placing a phone call Following the notification the engineer takes remote control of the onsite data acquisition unit Then the SQUID main unit is attached to the drill rigrsquos Kelly bar adapter The contractor quickly deploys the unit and the engineer sends a confirmation text to the site The data is collected and the SQUID is removed from the shaft Immediately upon test completion the engineer outputs the results and transmits them to the site
Shaft Geometry and Verticality
Often specifications require a survey of the as-built shaft geometry and verticality of a drilled shaft Without a testing method the performance of the structure could be compromised The Shaft Area Profile Evaluator (SHAPE) quickly and easily collects and assesses profile and verticality data from the excavation The unit is attached to the Kelly bar and then lowered into the water or slurry-filled shaft to identify irregularities that affect shaft performance The SHAPE ultrasonically scans up to eight channels (at every 45-degree orientation) while being lowered into the excavationImmediately after exiting the excavation the unit quickly and wirelessly sends the data to the SHAPE tablet The tablet can be accessed remotely with SiteLink Technology which reduces the number of personnel onsite A SHAPE test does not require personnel to be near the open drilled shaft and typically takes only minutes to complete Furthermore data analysis and automatic features quickly provide the shaft profile and verticality view
Continuing Testing ndash At a Safe Distance
The pandemicrsquos ldquosocial distancingrdquo requirements has interfered with project schedules staffing travel and onsite work While the installation of foundation elements necessitates a number of personnel onsite any reduction of persons onsite however leads to a minimization of person-to-person contact which ultimately benefits the well-being of the project and those involved Most importantly during this pandemic remote testing provides the ability to collect quality data with lower costs and accelerates construction timelines Whether using SiteLink Remote Technology or the Cloud remote testing capabilities can help deep foundation testing and assessments to continue in the safest manner possible without interruption or adding additional personnel to the jobsite
For additional information please visit wwwpilecom for QA products or wwwgrlengineerscom for testing services
Bottom Cleanliness Evaluation with SQUID
A SHAPE Test Conducted in Slurry
Case Study Dynamic Measurements of Vibratory Driven Composite Steel Piles Subjected to Axial and Bending
ForcesBy Alex Ryberg PE
During a vibratory driving project a challenging test program involved taking dynamic measurements on non-uniform piles during vibratory driving This measurement and interpretation project was performed to aid in the investigation of weld fractures occurring during pile installation
The composite piles were built-up steel members with an overall open cross-section The hammer was a Movax Sonic Grip model with 50 Hz maximum driving frequency with a maximum centrifugal force of 200 kips (900 kN) Initially the vibratory hammer was clamped to brackets welded to the pilersquos sides approximately one third of the length below the pilersquos top This was done to set and correctly align the pile Then the pile was vibratory driven as far as possible with a side-mounted hammer before it was top driven with the vibratory hammer clamped to brackets welded to a heavy steel plate that was welded to the piles top
One level of instrumentation was located a short distance below the top pile plate and a second one near the lower attachment brackets The sensors on the lower level of instrumentation were removed when the hammer clamping was switched from side to top brackets During the side mounted driving 8 PDA data channels were used for analysis During top driving to design depth 4 PDA data channels were used Dynamic testing was conducted at a site with easy pile driving conditions and at a second site where refusal driving occurred At both sites the driving progress was monitored with a video camera in addition to recording the PDA data
Given the corrected force records the post processing program calculated the peak values of stress force soil resistance (at the time of driving) and power transfer It also generated summary plots and time histories of measured and derived quantities
The soil resistance proved less important than stresses acceleration and forces For that reason averaged strains stresses forces as well as the individual signals were evaluated The bending stresses were estimated at the bracket attachment points with the offset of the strain sensors from the neutral axis The bending stresses were highest when the soil resistance was minimal or when the pile was practically only supported by the vibrating hammer All processed records were searched for maxima and minima of stresses and accelerations
The test program results determined that the axial stresses were typically less than 5 ksi (35 MPa) during hard driving During easy driving the stresses could almost reach 6 ksi (42 MPa) because of bending Generally the maximum acceleration levels were less than 10 grsquos Depending on the soil resistance hammer frequencies varied between 15 and 50 Hz
For additional information visit wwwgrlengineerscom
Follow Us On Social Media
GRL Engineers Inc +12168316131infoGRLengineerscomwwwGRLengineerscomCalifornia bull Colorado bull Florida bull Georgia Illinois bull Louisiana bull North Carolina bull Ohio Pennsylvania bull Texas bull Washington
Pile Dynamics Inc+12168316131infopilecomwwwpilecom30725 Aurora Rd Cleveland OH 44139
Pile Driving with a Vibratory Hammer
After field testing the PDA strain and acceleration measurements were analyzed using a post processing program which balanced the signals integrated the acceleration to velocity under consideration of the pile penetration speed and integrated velocity to displacement Next the video recordings were analyzed for pile penetration speed vs depth The strain measurements were converted to force after adding a static component which represented the hammer weight
Upcoming EventsJanuary 2021
12 17-18
March 20218 9 amp 10
1516 or 18
Webinar Series Benefits of PDA-DLT Software (Register)
PDI Office Hours PDA Webinar (Register)PDI Office Hours TIP Webinar (Register) Basics of CAPWAPreg Webinar (Register) Advanced CAPWAPreg Webinar (Register)
DFDTA Workshop Orlando FL PDA Proficiency Test Administered (Register) Webinar Series IGRLWEAP14-Exploring the User Interface (Register)
Due to COVID-19 any of the above events may be canceled or postponed as restrictions unfold Please visit our websites for updates
GRLPDI extends gratitude to our readers and wish all a safe and prosperous 2021 Happy Holidays
1112 or 14
05
February 2021
24 - 25
Driving Results with the Pile Driving Analyzer reg (PDA)
No industry is immune to the impact and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic Globally companies are being forced to rethink daily operations and adapt business models to align with new social distancing guidelines The construction industry is no exception The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) a federal agency of the United States responsible for workplace safety has issued guidance for construction operations to mitigate risk exposure by implementing engineering controls
PDIrsquos remote testing technologies for the deep foundation industry help keep projects moving safely during the pandemic When a project requires a non-destructive testing of drilled shafts augered cast-in-place (ACIP) and diaphragm walls the Thermal Integrity Profiling (TIP) system can be used as a tool to further help mitigate COVID-19 and other risks The TIP system utilizes heat generated by curing concrete to assess shaft integrity and reinforcing cage alignment PDIrsquos data loggers Thermal Aggregator (TAG) collect TIP data from multiple Thermal Acquisition Port (TAP-EDGE) boxes attached to a foundation element Automatically the TAP-Edge boxes transmit all data to the secure PDI-Cloud portal
Compared to other state-of-practice non-destructive testing methods the use of cloud-based TIP data acquisition helps minimize risk exposure by eliminating most onsite contact between the TIP consultant and the project team From March through July 2020 the number of shafts monitored remotely quadrupled as compared to the same time in 2019 In response GRL Engineers has shifted TIP integrity testing services to nearly 100 cloud-based
Signature Bridge Miami FLTo date the largest construction project to use 100 TIP
testing is the ongoing I-395SR-836I-95 Signature Bridge project in Miami Florida This ground-breaking design build project with construction by Archer Western de Moya JV is a complete reconfiguration of this key transportation corridor in downtown Miami and will incorporate thousands of 30 in (760 mm) and 36 in (910 mm) CFA piles ranging in length from 85 ft (26 m) to 135 ft (41 m)
This projectrsquos pile type as well as the need to maintain a rapid construction pace made the TIP system an opportunistic testing method As a result all piles are instrumented with Thermal Wire cables and use PDIrsquos cellular based TAGTAP-Edge system to push collected data to a secure cloud-based server After each pile installation one TAG and three TAP-Edges are attached to the Thermal cables on each pile Then the temperature vs depth data is collected every 15 minutes
and pushed to the cloud-based server every hour This allows the engineers at Universal Engineering Servicesrsquo Jacksonville office to remotely access the data for analysis as well as view the preliminary results being reported in near real time
ldquoWe are using Thermal Integrity Profiling to evaluate the integrity of auger-cast piles for support of the I-395 Signature Bridge project in Miami PDI has been very responsive and helpfulrdquo stated Joshua Adams Universal Engineering Sciences Inc
A fleet of TAGs and TAP-Edges are rotated regularly to handle the pace of construction which involves numerous piles per day spread across a large site footprint With peak temperatures occurring anywhere from 24 to 36 hours the TAG system greatly reduces the need for onsite testing personnel working at each pile Analysis can be far more efficient because results are available quicker than alternative test methods
Implementing Thermal Monitoring with Integrity Testing The Circle Interchange reconstruction project is in the heart of downtown Chicago IL This nearly $800 million dollar Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) project began in 2013 and is expected to conclude in 2022 During this time portions of the current phase were converted from Crosshole Sonic Logging (CSL) to TIP The scope of this project phase includes integrity testing of approximately 100 drilled shafts 6 ft (2 m) in diameter and 80 ft (24 m) in length Each shaft is instrumented along the longitudinal rebar with Thermal Wire cables installed equidistantly around the reinforcing cage After concrete placement via tremie method a TAG and TAP-Edges are connected to the cables to begin remote data collection
Thermal monitoring for mass concrete is also specified on this project In addition to the perimeter cables for integrity testing a single node Thermal Wire cable is also installed approximately 15 ft (4 m) below the top of the concrete close to the shaft center Throughout the hydration process the temperature differentials are monitored between center sensor and a sensor located on a perimeter cable at the same elevation Furthermore peak concrete temperatures near the core are monitored and real time data is transmitted to the
DID YOU KNOW
Newsletter No 95 - August 2020
When being onsite is not possible or cost effective GRL Engineers can offer remote testing and analysis services
Cloud-Based Remote Thermal Integrity ProfilingBy Danny Belardo and Jim Zammataro
Image courtesy of httpwwwi395-miamicom
TIP Temperature vs depth results
GRL Welcomes New Engineers
GRL Engineers Inc proudly announces the addition of four engineers to its team
Dennis Kiptoo received his undergraduate from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in 2010 and proceeded to obtain two Masterrsquos degrees the first MSCE was from the University of Cape Town in 2016 and the second was from Virginia Tech in 2020 Dennis joins GRL-PA
Stephanie Gomez graduated with her BSCE from Georgia Southern University in 2020 There she was a member of the International Ambassadorrsquos Executive Team and was Vice President-elect of the ASCE Student Chapter Stephanie also joins GRL-PA
Saphal Phuyal graduated from Clemson University in 2020 with his MSCE There he studied geotechnical engineering and gained experience in performing site investigations in structural design Saphal joins GRL-IL
Matthew Perrella graduated with his MS Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from West Virginia University in 2018 where he also received his BS in Mining Engineering He is experienced in MWDLWD field engineering programs as a dust technician and safety inspector as well as an educator in K-12 and at the university level Matthew joined GRL-OH
New Gamma Gamma Logging Service Offered
GRL Engineers is now offering Gamma Gamma Logging Service (GGL) in the United States GGL is a non-destructive test method used to assess the concrete integrity of drilled shafts through gamma-density correlation GGL is a relatively quick test with no depth restrictions It provides highly repeatable test results while objectively evaluating integrity and relative concrete quality inside and outside of the reinforcing cage
Before the cage is placed in the excavation and concrete poured 2 in (50mm) diameter PVC access tubes are attached to the steel reinforcing cage If testing was not initially planned an engineer can perform GGL by using core holes drilled through the concrete
The GGL test probe has a low-level radioactive source (Cesium-137) at its tip and a shielded detector located 15 in (38 cm) away to assess the concrete density surrounding the access tubes or core holes The
4 ft (12 m) long GGL probe is lowered into each access tube using an electric winch Gamma radiation counts in counts per second (CPS) are logged as the probe is raised at a typical rate of 10 ft (3 m) per minute GGL assesses the bulk density of the concrete from the center of the access tube outward for a radial distance of about 3 in to 4 in (76 mm to 101 mm) using the low-level energy source Based on the calibration data engineers can present profiles of the average bulk density in pounds per cubic foot versus depth
For additional information on GGL visitwwwgrlengineerscomservicesggl
Upcoming EventsSeptember23-24 PDCA DICEP Virtual Conference (piledriversorg)
October13-16 DFI Annual Virtual Conference (dfiorg)
November
11 Deep Foundations Integrity Testing and Wave Equation Analysis Orlando FL (Register)
12-13 High Strain Dynamic Foundation Testing Workshop and Proficiency Test Orlando FL (Register)
Due to COVID-19 all events are subject to cancellation or postponement Periodically check websites for updates
Follow Us On Social Media
GRL Engineers Inc +12168316131infoGRLengineerscomwwwGRLengineerscomCalifornia bull Colorado bull Florida bull Georgia Illinois bull Louisiana bull North Carolina bull Ohio bull Pennsylvania bull Texas bull Washington
Pile Dynamics Inc+12168316131infopilecomwwwpilecom30725 Aurora Rd Cleveland OH 44139
Saphal Phuyal
Matthew Perrella
Stephanie Gomez
Dennis Kiptoo
project team Throughout summer 2020 the thermal monitoring data has been used to adjust the thermal control plans to help keep the curing concrete within project specifications The shafts peak in approximately 30 hours after placement which is when GRL Engineers view the data and issue preliminary results The transmission of data to the cloud-based server has streamlined the data acquisition to report operation
The most critical time for recording TIP data occurs during the hydration curing process until peak concrete temperature is reached PDIrsquos TAG device is used to collect TIP data from multiple TAP-Edge boxes attached to a foundation The data needed for analysis occurs during very early hydration time For this reason PDIrsquos TAG and TAP-Edge system starts transmitting real-time data through the PDI-Cloud to allow engineers designers and the contractor to view all data at once from any location without additional field visits
As with these projects and various others TIP supports accelerated construction because shaft acceptance can be accomplished long before other integrity evaluation methods can be deployed for testing Often TIP saves the project time and money
For additional information on TIP or cloud-based remote testing visit pilecom or send an inquiry to infopilecom
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a range of challenges to industries worldwide At least temporarily many companies have been forced to cease work due to pandemic-related restrictions Infrastructure construction (interstate airport and energy delivery projects) is considered critical and as a result has been declared ldquoessentialrdquo However these projects must continue to abide by ldquosocial distancingrdquo requirements for safety of onsite crews Remote testing capabilities allow projects to continue at accelerated rates with lower costs and most importantly allows jobsites to adhere to todayrsquos health and safety guidelines as well as environmental restrictions
Remote testing capabilities are available for Dynamic Pile Testing Thermal Integrity Profiling Shaft Bottom Cleanliness Assessment and Shaft Profile and Verticality Evaluation Data is collected and viewed in real time by an engineer remotely or saved to a Cloud server The data is then available for immediate assessment
Dynamic Pile Testing with SiteLinkreg Technology
Deep foundation testing is performed during a test program to aid in design as well as during construction to confirm the
design assumptions and meet QAQC requirements A common method for testing deep foundations is Dynamic Pile Testing standardized by ASTM D4945 Available for over four decades this method is utilized widely on both private and public construction projects around the world Dynamic Pile Testing is embraced by the Federal Highway Administration and specified by most State Departments of Transportation
Historically a specialized engineer was necessary to be onsite to attach instrumentation to the pile connect to the data acquisition system (such as the Pile Driving Analyzerreg or PDA) and save the data Upon completion of the testing the engineer would then return to the office to assess the data and prepare a report of the results
Today SiteLinkreg Technology allows the engineer to remotely control the pile testing equipment through an internet connection A complete set of the necessary dynamic testing equipment is sent to the job site The crew then attaches the
sensors (Most construction crews have participated in or have familiarity with dynamic testing While testing either during initial driving or a restrike the engineer can easily explain the steps over the phone) During testing initial pile driving or restrike the engineer controls the PDA remotely in real-time throughout maintaining continuous communication with the site via video voice or text Upon test completion the data is downloaded directly to the engineerrsquos computer allowing them to immediately start the CAPWAPreg analysis and reporting The results are quickly submitted to the owner or responsible engineer for approval As a result construction can continue without delay In addition remote testing lowers overall costs and eliminates COVID-19 transmission between the dynamic testing engineer and the crew
Drilled Shaft Integrity Monitored via the Cloud
Recently for a Thermal Integrity Profiling (TIP) project the contractor installed Thermal Wirereg cables tied to the shaft reinforcement cage prior to concrete placement Once the concrete was placed the cables were attached to TAG data loggers which have cellular capabilities and connect to a password protected Cloud server The contractor at the jobsite communicated the basic shaft information with location and serial numbers of the installed Thermal Wire cables to the engineer located back at the office Temperature data was collected remotely every 15 minutes
Remote Thermal Integrity Profiling allows the engineer to assess integrity issues based on the measured temperatures in the shaft during concrete curing Within 24-hours of concrete placement an evaluation of the shaftrsquos integrity and the results are available via the dedicated Cloud server Remote testing capabilities support continuous construction and allows engineers to assess the integrity of drilled shafts without encountering onsite personnel (article continues on next page)
DID YOU KNOW
Newsletter No 94 - May 2020
Pile Dynamics offers pre-recorded educational webinars to meet your Professional Development Hour (PDH) needs pilecompre-recorded-webinars
Continued Foundation Testing During Challenging Times - From a Safe DistanceBy Travis Coleman PE GRL-IL Alex Ryberg PE GRL-PA Ben White PE GRL-OH
PDI Wireless Sensors
Attaching TAG to Thermal Wirereg Cables Assessing TIP Data Collection
Upcoming EventsJune01
02
03
Webinar Case Histories Cost and Time Savings AchievedthroughThermalIntegrityPro iling(Register) 900 pm ETWebinar Case Histories Cost and Time Savings AchievedthroughThermalIntegrityPro iling(Register) 1100 am ETWebinar Case Histories Cost and Time Savings AchievedthroughThermalIntegrityPro iling(Register) 800 am ET
17-18 SuperPile Virtual (dfiorg)
September
01 State of Practice Seminar Nashville TN (Register)03 State of Practice Seminar Omaha NE (Register)16 Seminar on Deep Foundation Integrity Testing and
Wave Equation Analysis Cleveland OH (Register)17-18 High Strain Dynamic Foundation Testing Workshop
andProficiencyTestCleveland OH (Register)28-30 ADSC Meeting Napa Valley CA (adsc-iafdcom)29 State of Practice Seminar Houston TX (Register)
October
01 ADSC Meeting Napa Valley CA (adsc-iafdcom)01 State of Practice Seminar Dallas TX (Register)13-16 DFI Annual Washington DC (dfiorg)26 State of Practice Seminar Philadelphia PA (Register)28 State of Practice Seminar New York NY (Register)30 State of Practice Seminar Boston MA (Register)
Due to COVID-19 any of the above events may be canceled or postponed as restrictions unfold Please visit our websites for updates
Follow Us On Social Media
GRL Engineers Inc +12168316131infoGRLengineerscomwwwGRLengineerscomCalifornia bull Colorado bull Florida bull Georgia Illinois bull Louisiana bull North Carolina bull Ohio Pennsylvania bull Texas bull Washington
Pile Dynamics Inc+12168316131infopilecomwwwpilecom30725 Aurora Rd Cleveland OH 44139
Assessing Shaft Bottom Cleanliness
An ongoing Ohio Department of Transportation project which uses drilled shafts terminated in soil required that the thickness of debris (disturbed soil and sediment) at the base
of the shaft be measured prior to casting concrete The Shaft Quantitative Inspection Device (SQUID) was proposed to perform the measurements This projectrsquos high production rate lead to the decision that the testing would be performed remotely with the engineer viewing and collecting the data in real time from their office
The ability to schedule a remote test is easily achieved by sending a text message or placing a phone call Following the notification the engineer takes remote control of the onsite data acquisition unit Then the SQUID main unit is attached to the drill rigrsquos Kelly bar adapter The contractor quickly deploys the unit and the engineer sends a confirmation text to the site The data is collected and the SQUID is removed from the shaft Immediately upon test completion the engineer outputs the results and transmits them to the site
Shaft Geometry and Verticality
Often specifications require a survey of the as-built shaft geometry and verticality of a drilled shaft Without a testing method the performance of the structure could be compromised The Shaft Area Profile Evaluator (SHAPE) quickly and easily collects and assesses profile and verticality data from the excavation The unit is attached to the Kelly bar and then lowered into the water or slurry-filled shaft to identify irregularities that affect shaft performance The SHAPE ultrasonically scans up to eight channels (at every 45-degree orientation) while being lowered into the excavationImmediately after exiting the excavation the unit quickly and wirelessly sends the data to the SHAPE tablet The tablet can be accessed remotely with SiteLink Technology which reduces the number of personnel onsite A SHAPE test does not require personnel to be near the open drilled shaft and typically takes only minutes to complete Furthermore data analysis and automatic features quickly provide the shaft profile and verticality view
Continuing Testing ndash At a Safe Distance
The pandemicrsquos ldquosocial distancingrdquo requirements has interfered with project schedules staffing travel and onsite work While the installation of foundation elements necessitates a number of personnel onsite any reduction of persons onsite however leads to a minimization of person-to-person contact which ultimately benefits the well-being of the project and those involved Most importantly during this pandemic remote testing provides the ability to collect quality data with lower costs and accelerates construction timelines Whether using SiteLink Remote Technology or the Cloud remote testing capabilities can help deep foundation testing and assessments to continue in the safest manner possible without interruption or adding additional personnel to the jobsite
For additional information please visit wwwpilecom for QA products or wwwgrlengineerscom for testing services
Bottom Cleanliness Evaluation with SQUID
A SHAPE Test Conducted in Slurry
No industry is immune to the impact and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic Globally companies are being forced to rethink daily operations and adapt business models to align with new social distancing guidelines The construction industry is no exception The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) a federal agency of the United States responsible for workplace safety has issued guidance for construction operations to mitigate risk exposure by implementing engineering controls
PDIrsquos remote testing technologies for the deep foundation industry help keep projects moving safely during the pandemic When a project requires a non-destructive testing of drilled shafts augered cast-in-place (ACIP) and diaphragm walls the Thermal Integrity Profiling (TIP) system can be used as a tool to further help mitigate COVID-19 and other risks The TIP system utilizes heat generated by curing concrete to assess shaft integrity and reinforcing cage alignment PDIrsquos data loggers Thermal Aggregator (TAG) collect TIP data from multiple Thermal Acquisition Port (TAP-EDGE) boxes attached to a foundation element Automatically the TAP-Edge boxes transmit all data to the secure PDI-Cloud portal
Compared to other state-of-practice non-destructive testing methods the use of cloud-based TIP data acquisition helps minimize risk exposure by eliminating most onsite contact between the TIP consultant and the project team From March through July 2020 the number of shafts monitored remotely quadrupled as compared to the same time in 2019 In response GRL Engineers has shifted TIP integrity testing services to nearly 100 cloud-based
Signature Bridge Miami FLTo date the largest construction project to use 100 TIP
testing is the ongoing I-395SR-836I-95 Signature Bridge project in Miami Florida This ground-breaking design build project with construction by Archer Western de Moya JV is a complete reconfiguration of this key transportation corridor in downtown Miami and will incorporate thousands of 30 in (760 mm) and 36 in (910 mm) CFA piles ranging in length from 85 ft (26 m) to 135 ft (41 m)
This projectrsquos pile type as well as the need to maintain a rapid construction pace made the TIP system an opportunistic testing method As a result all piles are instrumented with Thermal Wire cables and use PDIrsquos cellular based TAGTAP-Edge system to push collected data to a secure cloud-based server After each pile installation one TAG and three TAP-Edges are attached to the Thermal cables on each pile Then the temperature vs depth data is collected every 15 minutes
and pushed to the cloud-based server every hour This allows the engineers at Universal Engineering Servicesrsquo Jacksonville office to remotely access the data for analysis as well as view the preliminary results being reported in near real time
ldquoWe are using Thermal Integrity Profiling to evaluate the integrity of auger-cast piles for support of the I-395 Signature Bridge project in Miami PDI has been very responsive and helpfulrdquo stated Joshua Adams Universal Engineering Sciences Inc
A fleet of TAGs and TAP-Edges are rotated regularly to handle the pace of construction which involves numerous piles per day spread across a large site footprint With peak temperatures occurring anywhere from 24 to 36 hours the TAG system greatly reduces the need for onsite testing personnel working at each pile Analysis can be far more efficient because results are available quicker than alternative test methods
Implementing Thermal Monitoring with Integrity Testing The Circle Interchange reconstruction project is in the heart of downtown Chicago IL This nearly $800 million dollar Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) project began in 2013 and is expected to conclude in 2022 During this time portions of the current phase were converted from Crosshole Sonic Logging (CSL) to TIP The scope of this project phase includes integrity testing of approximately 100 drilled shafts 6 ft (2 m) in diameter and 80 ft (24 m) in length Each shaft is instrumented along the longitudinal rebar with Thermal Wire cables installed equidistantly around the reinforcing cage After concrete placement via tremie method a TAG and TAP-Edges are connected to the cables to begin remote data collection
Thermal monitoring for mass concrete is also specified on this project In addition to the perimeter cables for integrity testing a single node Thermal Wire cable is also installed approximately 15 ft (4 m) below the top of the concrete close to the shaft center Throughout the hydration process the temperature differentials are monitored between center sensor and a sensor located on a perimeter cable at the same elevation Furthermore peak concrete temperatures near the core are monitored and real time data is transmitted to the
DID YOU KNOW
Newsletter No 95 - August 2020
When being onsite is not possible or cost effective GRL Engineers can offer remote testing and analysis services
Cloud-Based Remote Thermal Integrity ProfilingBy Danny Belardo and Jim Zammataro
Image courtesy of httpwwwi395-miamicom
TIP Temperature vs depth results
GRL Welcomes New Engineers
GRL Engineers Inc proudly announces the addition of four engineers to its team
Dennis Kiptoo received his undergraduate from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in 2010 and proceeded to obtain two Masterrsquos degrees the first MSCE was from the University of Cape Town in 2016 and the second was from Virginia Tech in 2020 Dennis joins GRL-PA
Stephanie Gomez graduated with her BSCE from Georgia Southern University in 2020 There she was a member of the International Ambassadorrsquos Executive Team and was Vice President-elect of the ASCE Student Chapter Stephanie also joins GRL-PA
Saphal Phuyal graduated from Clemson University in 2020 with his MSCE There he studied geotechnical engineering and gained experience in performing site investigations in structural design Saphal joins GRL-IL
Matthew Perrella graduated with his MS Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from West Virginia University in 2018 where he also received his BS in Mining Engineering He is experienced in MWDLWD field engineering programs as a dust technician and safety inspector as well as an educator in K-12 and at the university level Matthew joined GRL-OH
New Gamma Gamma Logging Service Offered
GRL Engineers is now offering Gamma Gamma Logging Service (GGL) in the United States GGL is a non-destructive test method used to assess the concrete integrity of drilled shafts through gamma-density correlation GGL is a relatively quick test with no depth restrictions It provides highly repeatable test results while objectively evaluating integrity and relative concrete quality inside and outside of the reinforcing cage
Before the cage is placed in the excavation and concrete poured 2 in (50mm) diameter PVC access tubes are attached to the steel reinforcing cage If testing was not initially planned an engineer can perform GGL by using core holes drilled through the concrete
The GGL test probe has a low-level radioactive source (Cesium-137) at its tip and a shielded detector located 15 in (38 cm) away to assess the concrete density surrounding the access tubes or core holes The
4 ft (12 m) long GGL probe is lowered into each access tube using an electric winch Gamma radiation counts in counts per second (CPS) are logged as the probe is raised at a typical rate of 10 ft (3 m) per minute GGL assesses the bulk density of the concrete from the center of the access tube outward for a radial distance of about 3 in to 4 in (76 mm to 101 mm) using the low-level energy source Based on the calibration data engineers can present profiles of the average bulk density in pounds per cubic foot versus depth
For additional information on GGL visitwwwgrlengineerscomservicesggl
Upcoming EventsSeptember23-24 PDCA DICEP Virtual Conference (piledriversorg)
October13-16 DFI Annual Virtual Conference (dfiorg)
November
11 Deep Foundations Integrity Testing and Wave Equation Analysis Orlando FL (Register)
12-13 High Strain Dynamic Foundation Testing Workshop and Proficiency Test Orlando FL (Register)
Due to COVID-19 all events are subject to cancellation or postponement Periodically check websites for updates
Follow Us On Social Media
GRL Engineers Inc +12168316131infoGRLengineerscomwwwGRLengineerscomCalifornia bull Colorado bull Florida bull Georgia Illinois bull Louisiana bull North Carolina bull Ohio bull Pennsylvania bull Texas bull Washington
Pile Dynamics Inc+12168316131infopilecomwwwpilecom30725 Aurora Rd Cleveland OH 44139
Saphal Phuyal
Matthew Perrella
Stephanie Gomez
Dennis Kiptoo
project team Throughout summer 2020 the thermal monitoring data has been used to adjust the thermal control plans to help keep the curing concrete within project specifications The shafts peak in approximately 30 hours after placement which is when GRL Engineers view the data and issue preliminary results The transmission of data to the cloud-based server has streamlined the data acquisition to report operation
The most critical time for recording TIP data occurs during the hydration curing process until peak concrete temperature is reached PDIrsquos TAG device is used to collect TIP data from multiple TAP-Edge boxes attached to a foundation The data needed for analysis occurs during very early hydration time For this reason PDIrsquos TAG and TAP-Edge system starts transmitting real-time data through the PDI-Cloud to allow engineers designers and the contractor to view all data at once from any location without additional field visits
As with these projects and various others TIP supports accelerated construction because shaft acceptance can be accomplished long before other integrity evaluation methods can be deployed for testing Often TIP saves the project time and money
For additional information on TIP or cloud-based remote testing visit pilecom or send an inquiry to infopilecom
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a range of challenges to industries worldwide At least temporarily many companies have been forced to cease work due to pandemic-related restrictions Infrastructure construction (interstate airport and energy delivery projects) is considered critical and as a result has been declared ldquoessentialrdquo However these projects must continue to abide by ldquosocial distancingrdquo requirements for safety of onsite crews Remote testing capabilities allow projects to continue at accelerated rates with lower costs and most importantly allows jobsites to adhere to todayrsquos health and safety guidelines as well as environmental restrictions
Remote testing capabilities are available for Dynamic Pile Testing Thermal Integrity Profiling Shaft Bottom Cleanliness Assessment and Shaft Profile and Verticality Evaluation Data is collected and viewed in real time by an engineer remotely or saved to a Cloud server The data is then available for immediate assessment
Dynamic Pile Testing with SiteLinkreg Technology
Deep foundation testing is performed during a test program to aid in design as well as during construction to confirm the
design assumptions and meet QAQC requirements A common method for testing deep foundations is Dynamic Pile Testing standardized by ASTM D4945 Available for over four decades this method is utilized widely on both private and public construction projects around the world Dynamic Pile Testing is embraced by the Federal Highway Administration and specified by most State Departments of Transportation
Historically a specialized engineer was necessary to be onsite to attach instrumentation to the pile connect to the data acquisition system (such as the Pile Driving Analyzerreg or PDA) and save the data Upon completion of the testing the engineer would then return to the office to assess the data and prepare a report of the results
Today SiteLinkreg Technology allows the engineer to remotely control the pile testing equipment through an internet connection A complete set of the necessary dynamic testing equipment is sent to the job site The crew then attaches the
sensors (Most construction crews have participated in or have familiarity with dynamic testing While testing either during initial driving or a restrike the engineer can easily explain the steps over the phone) During testing initial pile driving or restrike the engineer controls the PDA remotely in real-time throughout maintaining continuous communication with the site via video voice or text Upon test completion the data is downloaded directly to the engineerrsquos computer allowing them to immediately start the CAPWAPreg analysis and reporting The results are quickly submitted to the owner or responsible engineer for approval As a result construction can continue without delay In addition remote testing lowers overall costs and eliminates COVID-19 transmission between the dynamic testing engineer and the crew
Drilled Shaft Integrity Monitored via the Cloud
Recently for a Thermal Integrity Profiling (TIP) project the contractor installed Thermal Wirereg cables tied to the shaft reinforcement cage prior to concrete placement Once the concrete was placed the cables were attached to TAG data loggers which have cellular capabilities and connect to a password protected Cloud server The contractor at the jobsite communicated the basic shaft information with location and serial numbers of the installed Thermal Wire cables to the engineer located back at the office Temperature data was collected remotely every 15 minutes
Remote Thermal Integrity Profiling allows the engineer to assess integrity issues based on the measured temperatures in the shaft during concrete curing Within 24-hours of concrete placement an evaluation of the shaftrsquos integrity and the results are available via the dedicated Cloud server Remote testing capabilities support continuous construction and allows engineers to assess the integrity of drilled shafts without encountering onsite personnel (article continues on next page)
DID YOU KNOW
Newsletter No 94 - May 2020
Pile Dynamics offers pre-recorded educational webinars to meet your Professional Development Hour (PDH) needs pilecompre-recorded-webinars
Continued Foundation Testing During Challenging Times - From a Safe DistanceBy Travis Coleman PE GRL-IL Alex Ryberg PE GRL-PA Ben White PE GRL-OH
PDI Wireless Sensors
Attaching TAG to Thermal Wirereg Cables Assessing TIP Data Collection
Upcoming EventsJune01
02
03
Webinar Case Histories Cost and Time Savings AchievedthroughThermalIntegrityPro iling(Register) 900 pm ETWebinar Case Histories Cost and Time Savings AchievedthroughThermalIntegrityPro iling(Register) 1100 am ETWebinar Case Histories Cost and Time Savings AchievedthroughThermalIntegrityPro iling(Register) 800 am ET
17-18 SuperPile Virtual (dfiorg)
September
01 State of Practice Seminar Nashville TN (Register)03 State of Practice Seminar Omaha NE (Register)16 Seminar on Deep Foundation Integrity Testing and
Wave Equation Analysis Cleveland OH (Register)17-18 High Strain Dynamic Foundation Testing Workshop
andProficiencyTestCleveland OH (Register)28-30 ADSC Meeting Napa Valley CA (adsc-iafdcom)29 State of Practice Seminar Houston TX (Register)
October
01 ADSC Meeting Napa Valley CA (adsc-iafdcom)01 State of Practice Seminar Dallas TX (Register)13-16 DFI Annual Washington DC (dfiorg)26 State of Practice Seminar Philadelphia PA (Register)28 State of Practice Seminar New York NY (Register)30 State of Practice Seminar Boston MA (Register)
Due to COVID-19 any of the above events may be canceled or postponed as restrictions unfold Please visit our websites for updates
Follow Us On Social Media
GRL Engineers Inc +12168316131infoGRLengineerscomwwwGRLengineerscomCalifornia bull Colorado bull Florida bull Georgia Illinois bull Louisiana bull North Carolina bull Ohio Pennsylvania bull Texas bull Washington
Pile Dynamics Inc+12168316131infopilecomwwwpilecom30725 Aurora Rd Cleveland OH 44139
Assessing Shaft Bottom Cleanliness
An ongoing Ohio Department of Transportation project which uses drilled shafts terminated in soil required that the thickness of debris (disturbed soil and sediment) at the base
of the shaft be measured prior to casting concrete The Shaft Quantitative Inspection Device (SQUID) was proposed to perform the measurements This projectrsquos high production rate lead to the decision that the testing would be performed remotely with the engineer viewing and collecting the data in real time from their office
The ability to schedule a remote test is easily achieved by sending a text message or placing a phone call Following the notification the engineer takes remote control of the onsite data acquisition unit Then the SQUID main unit is attached to the drill rigrsquos Kelly bar adapter The contractor quickly deploys the unit and the engineer sends a confirmation text to the site The data is collected and the SQUID is removed from the shaft Immediately upon test completion the engineer outputs the results and transmits them to the site
Shaft Geometry and Verticality
Often specifications require a survey of the as-built shaft geometry and verticality of a drilled shaft Without a testing method the performance of the structure could be compromised The Shaft Area Profile Evaluator (SHAPE) quickly and easily collects and assesses profile and verticality data from the excavation The unit is attached to the Kelly bar and then lowered into the water or slurry-filled shaft to identify irregularities that affect shaft performance The SHAPE ultrasonically scans up to eight channels (at every 45-degree orientation) while being lowered into the excavationImmediately after exiting the excavation the unit quickly and wirelessly sends the data to the SHAPE tablet The tablet can be accessed remotely with SiteLink Technology which reduces the number of personnel onsite A SHAPE test does not require personnel to be near the open drilled shaft and typically takes only minutes to complete Furthermore data analysis and automatic features quickly provide the shaft profile and verticality view
Continuing Testing ndash At a Safe Distance
The pandemicrsquos ldquosocial distancingrdquo requirements has interfered with project schedules staffing travel and onsite work While the installation of foundation elements necessitates a number of personnel onsite any reduction of persons onsite however leads to a minimization of person-to-person contact which ultimately benefits the well-being of the project and those involved Most importantly during this pandemic remote testing provides the ability to collect quality data with lower costs and accelerates construction timelines Whether using SiteLink Remote Technology or the Cloud remote testing capabilities can help deep foundation testing and assessments to continue in the safest manner possible without interruption or adding additional personnel to the jobsite
For additional information please visit wwwpilecom for QA products or wwwgrlengineerscom for testing services
Bottom Cleanliness Evaluation with SQUID
A SHAPE Test Conducted in Slurry
GRL Welcomes New Engineers
GRL Engineers Inc proudly announces the addition of four engineers to its team
Dennis Kiptoo received his undergraduate from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in 2010 and proceeded to obtain two Masterrsquos degrees the first MSCE was from the University of Cape Town in 2016 and the second was from Virginia Tech in 2020 Dennis joins GRL-PA
Stephanie Gomez graduated with her BSCE from Georgia Southern University in 2020 There she was a member of the International Ambassadorrsquos Executive Team and was Vice President-elect of the ASCE Student Chapter Stephanie also joins GRL-PA
Saphal Phuyal graduated from Clemson University in 2020 with his MSCE There he studied geotechnical engineering and gained experience in performing site investigations in structural design Saphal joins GRL-IL
Matthew Perrella graduated with his MS Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from West Virginia University in 2018 where he also received his BS in Mining Engineering He is experienced in MWDLWD field engineering programs as a dust technician and safety inspector as well as an educator in K-12 and at the university level Matthew joined GRL-OH
New Gamma Gamma Logging Service Offered
GRL Engineers is now offering Gamma Gamma Logging Service (GGL) in the United States GGL is a non-destructive test method used to assess the concrete integrity of drilled shafts through gamma-density correlation GGL is a relatively quick test with no depth restrictions It provides highly repeatable test results while objectively evaluating integrity and relative concrete quality inside and outside of the reinforcing cage
Before the cage is placed in the excavation and concrete poured 2 in (50mm) diameter PVC access tubes are attached to the steel reinforcing cage If testing was not initially planned an engineer can perform GGL by using core holes drilled through the concrete
The GGL test probe has a low-level radioactive source (Cesium-137) at its tip and a shielded detector located 15 in (38 cm) away to assess the concrete density surrounding the access tubes or core holes The
4 ft (12 m) long GGL probe is lowered into each access tube using an electric winch Gamma radiation counts in counts per second (CPS) are logged as the probe is raised at a typical rate of 10 ft (3 m) per minute GGL assesses the bulk density of the concrete from the center of the access tube outward for a radial distance of about 3 in to 4 in (76 mm to 101 mm) using the low-level energy source Based on the calibration data engineers can present profiles of the average bulk density in pounds per cubic foot versus depth
For additional information on GGL visitwwwgrlengineerscomservicesggl
Upcoming EventsSeptember23-24 PDCA DICEP Virtual Conference (piledriversorg)
October13-16 DFI Annual Virtual Conference (dfiorg)
November
11 Deep Foundations Integrity Testing and Wave Equation Analysis Orlando FL (Register)
12-13 High Strain Dynamic Foundation Testing Workshop and Proficiency Test Orlando FL (Register)
Due to COVID-19 all events are subject to cancellation or postponement Periodically check websites for updates
Follow Us On Social Media
GRL Engineers Inc +12168316131infoGRLengineerscomwwwGRLengineerscomCalifornia bull Colorado bull Florida bull Georgia Illinois bull Louisiana bull North Carolina bull Ohio bull Pennsylvania bull Texas bull Washington
Pile Dynamics Inc+12168316131infopilecomwwwpilecom30725 Aurora Rd Cleveland OH 44139
Saphal Phuyal
Matthew Perrella
Stephanie Gomez
Dennis Kiptoo
project team Throughout summer 2020 the thermal monitoring data has been used to adjust the thermal control plans to help keep the curing concrete within project specifications The shafts peak in approximately 30 hours after placement which is when GRL Engineers view the data and issue preliminary results The transmission of data to the cloud-based server has streamlined the data acquisition to report operation
The most critical time for recording TIP data occurs during the hydration curing process until peak concrete temperature is reached PDIrsquos TAG device is used to collect TIP data from multiple TAP-Edge boxes attached to a foundation The data needed for analysis occurs during very early hydration time For this reason PDIrsquos TAG and TAP-Edge system starts transmitting real-time data through the PDI-Cloud to allow engineers designers and the contractor to view all data at once from any location without additional field visits
As with these projects and various others TIP supports accelerated construction because shaft acceptance can be accomplished long before other integrity evaluation methods can be deployed for testing Often TIP saves the project time and money
For additional information on TIP or cloud-based remote testing visit pilecom or send an inquiry to infopilecom
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a range of challenges to industries worldwide At least temporarily many companies have been forced to cease work due to pandemic-related restrictions Infrastructure construction (interstate airport and energy delivery projects) is considered critical and as a result has been declared ldquoessentialrdquo However these projects must continue to abide by ldquosocial distancingrdquo requirements for safety of onsite crews Remote testing capabilities allow projects to continue at accelerated rates with lower costs and most importantly allows jobsites to adhere to todayrsquos health and safety guidelines as well as environmental restrictions
Remote testing capabilities are available for Dynamic Pile Testing Thermal Integrity Profiling Shaft Bottom Cleanliness Assessment and Shaft Profile and Verticality Evaluation Data is collected and viewed in real time by an engineer remotely or saved to a Cloud server The data is then available for immediate assessment
Dynamic Pile Testing with SiteLinkreg Technology
Deep foundation testing is performed during a test program to aid in design as well as during construction to confirm the
design assumptions and meet QAQC requirements A common method for testing deep foundations is Dynamic Pile Testing standardized by ASTM D4945 Available for over four decades this method is utilized widely on both private and public construction projects around the world Dynamic Pile Testing is embraced by the Federal Highway Administration and specified by most State Departments of Transportation
Historically a specialized engineer was necessary to be onsite to attach instrumentation to the pile connect to the data acquisition system (such as the Pile Driving Analyzerreg or PDA) and save the data Upon completion of the testing the engineer would then return to the office to assess the data and prepare a report of the results
Today SiteLinkreg Technology allows the engineer to remotely control the pile testing equipment through an internet connection A complete set of the necessary dynamic testing equipment is sent to the job site The crew then attaches the
sensors (Most construction crews have participated in or have familiarity with dynamic testing While testing either during initial driving or a restrike the engineer can easily explain the steps over the phone) During testing initial pile driving or restrike the engineer controls the PDA remotely in real-time throughout maintaining continuous communication with the site via video voice or text Upon test completion the data is downloaded directly to the engineerrsquos computer allowing them to immediately start the CAPWAPreg analysis and reporting The results are quickly submitted to the owner or responsible engineer for approval As a result construction can continue without delay In addition remote testing lowers overall costs and eliminates COVID-19 transmission between the dynamic testing engineer and the crew
Drilled Shaft Integrity Monitored via the Cloud
Recently for a Thermal Integrity Profiling (TIP) project the contractor installed Thermal Wirereg cables tied to the shaft reinforcement cage prior to concrete placement Once the concrete was placed the cables were attached to TAG data loggers which have cellular capabilities and connect to a password protected Cloud server The contractor at the jobsite communicated the basic shaft information with location and serial numbers of the installed Thermal Wire cables to the engineer located back at the office Temperature data was collected remotely every 15 minutes
Remote Thermal Integrity Profiling allows the engineer to assess integrity issues based on the measured temperatures in the shaft during concrete curing Within 24-hours of concrete placement an evaluation of the shaftrsquos integrity and the results are available via the dedicated Cloud server Remote testing capabilities support continuous construction and allows engineers to assess the integrity of drilled shafts without encountering onsite personnel (article continues on next page)
DID YOU KNOW
Newsletter No 94 - May 2020
Pile Dynamics offers pre-recorded educational webinars to meet your Professional Development Hour (PDH) needs pilecompre-recorded-webinars
Continued Foundation Testing During Challenging Times - From a Safe DistanceBy Travis Coleman PE GRL-IL Alex Ryberg PE GRL-PA Ben White PE GRL-OH
PDI Wireless Sensors
Attaching TAG to Thermal Wirereg Cables Assessing TIP Data Collection
Upcoming EventsJune01
02
03
Webinar Case Histories Cost and Time Savings AchievedthroughThermalIntegrityPro iling(Register) 900 pm ETWebinar Case Histories Cost and Time Savings AchievedthroughThermalIntegrityPro iling(Register) 1100 am ETWebinar Case Histories Cost and Time Savings AchievedthroughThermalIntegrityPro iling(Register) 800 am ET
17-18 SuperPile Virtual (dfiorg)
September
01 State of Practice Seminar Nashville TN (Register)03 State of Practice Seminar Omaha NE (Register)16 Seminar on Deep Foundation Integrity Testing and
Wave Equation Analysis Cleveland OH (Register)17-18 High Strain Dynamic Foundation Testing Workshop
andProficiencyTestCleveland OH (Register)28-30 ADSC Meeting Napa Valley CA (adsc-iafdcom)29 State of Practice Seminar Houston TX (Register)
October
01 ADSC Meeting Napa Valley CA (adsc-iafdcom)01 State of Practice Seminar Dallas TX (Register)13-16 DFI Annual Washington DC (dfiorg)26 State of Practice Seminar Philadelphia PA (Register)28 State of Practice Seminar New York NY (Register)30 State of Practice Seminar Boston MA (Register)
Due to COVID-19 any of the above events may be canceled or postponed as restrictions unfold Please visit our websites for updates
Follow Us On Social Media
GRL Engineers Inc +12168316131infoGRLengineerscomwwwGRLengineerscomCalifornia bull Colorado bull Florida bull Georgia Illinois bull Louisiana bull North Carolina bull Ohio Pennsylvania bull Texas bull Washington
Pile Dynamics Inc+12168316131infopilecomwwwpilecom30725 Aurora Rd Cleveland OH 44139
Assessing Shaft Bottom Cleanliness
An ongoing Ohio Department of Transportation project which uses drilled shafts terminated in soil required that the thickness of debris (disturbed soil and sediment) at the base
of the shaft be measured prior to casting concrete The Shaft Quantitative Inspection Device (SQUID) was proposed to perform the measurements This projectrsquos high production rate lead to the decision that the testing would be performed remotely with the engineer viewing and collecting the data in real time from their office
The ability to schedule a remote test is easily achieved by sending a text message or placing a phone call Following the notification the engineer takes remote control of the onsite data acquisition unit Then the SQUID main unit is attached to the drill rigrsquos Kelly bar adapter The contractor quickly deploys the unit and the engineer sends a confirmation text to the site The data is collected and the SQUID is removed from the shaft Immediately upon test completion the engineer outputs the results and transmits them to the site
Shaft Geometry and Verticality
Often specifications require a survey of the as-built shaft geometry and verticality of a drilled shaft Without a testing method the performance of the structure could be compromised The Shaft Area Profile Evaluator (SHAPE) quickly and easily collects and assesses profile and verticality data from the excavation The unit is attached to the Kelly bar and then lowered into the water or slurry-filled shaft to identify irregularities that affect shaft performance The SHAPE ultrasonically scans up to eight channels (at every 45-degree orientation) while being lowered into the excavationImmediately after exiting the excavation the unit quickly and wirelessly sends the data to the SHAPE tablet The tablet can be accessed remotely with SiteLink Technology which reduces the number of personnel onsite A SHAPE test does not require personnel to be near the open drilled shaft and typically takes only minutes to complete Furthermore data analysis and automatic features quickly provide the shaft profile and verticality view
Continuing Testing ndash At a Safe Distance
The pandemicrsquos ldquosocial distancingrdquo requirements has interfered with project schedules staffing travel and onsite work While the installation of foundation elements necessitates a number of personnel onsite any reduction of persons onsite however leads to a minimization of person-to-person contact which ultimately benefits the well-being of the project and those involved Most importantly during this pandemic remote testing provides the ability to collect quality data with lower costs and accelerates construction timelines Whether using SiteLink Remote Technology or the Cloud remote testing capabilities can help deep foundation testing and assessments to continue in the safest manner possible without interruption or adding additional personnel to the jobsite
For additional information please visit wwwpilecom for QA products or wwwgrlengineerscom for testing services
Bottom Cleanliness Evaluation with SQUID
A SHAPE Test Conducted in Slurry
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a range of challenges to industries worldwide At least temporarily many companies have been forced to cease work due to pandemic-related restrictions Infrastructure construction (interstate airport and energy delivery projects) is considered critical and as a result has been declared ldquoessentialrdquo However these projects must continue to abide by ldquosocial distancingrdquo requirements for safety of onsite crews Remote testing capabilities allow projects to continue at accelerated rates with lower costs and most importantly allows jobsites to adhere to todayrsquos health and safety guidelines as well as environmental restrictions
Remote testing capabilities are available for Dynamic Pile Testing Thermal Integrity Profiling Shaft Bottom Cleanliness Assessment and Shaft Profile and Verticality Evaluation Data is collected and viewed in real time by an engineer remotely or saved to a Cloud server The data is then available for immediate assessment
Dynamic Pile Testing with SiteLinkreg Technology
Deep foundation testing is performed during a test program to aid in design as well as during construction to confirm the
design assumptions and meet QAQC requirements A common method for testing deep foundations is Dynamic Pile Testing standardized by ASTM D4945 Available for over four decades this method is utilized widely on both private and public construction projects around the world Dynamic Pile Testing is embraced by the Federal Highway Administration and specified by most State Departments of Transportation
Historically a specialized engineer was necessary to be onsite to attach instrumentation to the pile connect to the data acquisition system (such as the Pile Driving Analyzerreg or PDA) and save the data Upon completion of the testing the engineer would then return to the office to assess the data and prepare a report of the results
Today SiteLinkreg Technology allows the engineer to remotely control the pile testing equipment through an internet connection A complete set of the necessary dynamic testing equipment is sent to the job site The crew then attaches the
sensors (Most construction crews have participated in or have familiarity with dynamic testing While testing either during initial driving or a restrike the engineer can easily explain the steps over the phone) During testing initial pile driving or restrike the engineer controls the PDA remotely in real-time throughout maintaining continuous communication with the site via video voice or text Upon test completion the data is downloaded directly to the engineerrsquos computer allowing them to immediately start the CAPWAPreg analysis and reporting The results are quickly submitted to the owner or responsible engineer for approval As a result construction can continue without delay In addition remote testing lowers overall costs and eliminates COVID-19 transmission between the dynamic testing engineer and the crew
Drilled Shaft Integrity Monitored via the Cloud
Recently for a Thermal Integrity Profiling (TIP) project the contractor installed Thermal Wirereg cables tied to the shaft reinforcement cage prior to concrete placement Once the concrete was placed the cables were attached to TAG data loggers which have cellular capabilities and connect to a password protected Cloud server The contractor at the jobsite communicated the basic shaft information with location and serial numbers of the installed Thermal Wire cables to the engineer located back at the office Temperature data was collected remotely every 15 minutes
Remote Thermal Integrity Profiling allows the engineer to assess integrity issues based on the measured temperatures in the shaft during concrete curing Within 24-hours of concrete placement an evaluation of the shaftrsquos integrity and the results are available via the dedicated Cloud server Remote testing capabilities support continuous construction and allows engineers to assess the integrity of drilled shafts without encountering onsite personnel (article continues on next page)
DID YOU KNOW
Newsletter No 94 - May 2020
Pile Dynamics offers pre-recorded educational webinars to meet your Professional Development Hour (PDH) needs pilecompre-recorded-webinars
Continued Foundation Testing During Challenging Times - From a Safe DistanceBy Travis Coleman PE GRL-IL Alex Ryberg PE GRL-PA Ben White PE GRL-OH
PDI Wireless Sensors
Attaching TAG to Thermal Wirereg Cables Assessing TIP Data Collection
Upcoming EventsJune01
02
03
Webinar Case Histories Cost and Time Savings AchievedthroughThermalIntegrityPro iling(Register) 900 pm ETWebinar Case Histories Cost and Time Savings AchievedthroughThermalIntegrityPro iling(Register) 1100 am ETWebinar Case Histories Cost and Time Savings AchievedthroughThermalIntegrityPro iling(Register) 800 am ET
17-18 SuperPile Virtual (dfiorg)
September
01 State of Practice Seminar Nashville TN (Register)03 State of Practice Seminar Omaha NE (Register)16 Seminar on Deep Foundation Integrity Testing and
Wave Equation Analysis Cleveland OH (Register)17-18 High Strain Dynamic Foundation Testing Workshop
andProficiencyTestCleveland OH (Register)28-30 ADSC Meeting Napa Valley CA (adsc-iafdcom)29 State of Practice Seminar Houston TX (Register)
October
01 ADSC Meeting Napa Valley CA (adsc-iafdcom)01 State of Practice Seminar Dallas TX (Register)13-16 DFI Annual Washington DC (dfiorg)26 State of Practice Seminar Philadelphia PA (Register)28 State of Practice Seminar New York NY (Register)30 State of Practice Seminar Boston MA (Register)
Due to COVID-19 any of the above events may be canceled or postponed as restrictions unfold Please visit our websites for updates
Follow Us On Social Media
GRL Engineers Inc +12168316131infoGRLengineerscomwwwGRLengineerscomCalifornia bull Colorado bull Florida bull Georgia Illinois bull Louisiana bull North Carolina bull Ohio Pennsylvania bull Texas bull Washington
Pile Dynamics Inc+12168316131infopilecomwwwpilecom30725 Aurora Rd Cleveland OH 44139
Assessing Shaft Bottom Cleanliness
An ongoing Ohio Department of Transportation project which uses drilled shafts terminated in soil required that the thickness of debris (disturbed soil and sediment) at the base
of the shaft be measured prior to casting concrete The Shaft Quantitative Inspection Device (SQUID) was proposed to perform the measurements This projectrsquos high production rate lead to the decision that the testing would be performed remotely with the engineer viewing and collecting the data in real time from their office
The ability to schedule a remote test is easily achieved by sending a text message or placing a phone call Following the notification the engineer takes remote control of the onsite data acquisition unit Then the SQUID main unit is attached to the drill rigrsquos Kelly bar adapter The contractor quickly deploys the unit and the engineer sends a confirmation text to the site The data is collected and the SQUID is removed from the shaft Immediately upon test completion the engineer outputs the results and transmits them to the site
Shaft Geometry and Verticality
Often specifications require a survey of the as-built shaft geometry and verticality of a drilled shaft Without a testing method the performance of the structure could be compromised The Shaft Area Profile Evaluator (SHAPE) quickly and easily collects and assesses profile and verticality data from the excavation The unit is attached to the Kelly bar and then lowered into the water or slurry-filled shaft to identify irregularities that affect shaft performance The SHAPE ultrasonically scans up to eight channels (at every 45-degree orientation) while being lowered into the excavationImmediately after exiting the excavation the unit quickly and wirelessly sends the data to the SHAPE tablet The tablet can be accessed remotely with SiteLink Technology which reduces the number of personnel onsite A SHAPE test does not require personnel to be near the open drilled shaft and typically takes only minutes to complete Furthermore data analysis and automatic features quickly provide the shaft profile and verticality view
Continuing Testing ndash At a Safe Distance
The pandemicrsquos ldquosocial distancingrdquo requirements has interfered with project schedules staffing travel and onsite work While the installation of foundation elements necessitates a number of personnel onsite any reduction of persons onsite however leads to a minimization of person-to-person contact which ultimately benefits the well-being of the project and those involved Most importantly during this pandemic remote testing provides the ability to collect quality data with lower costs and accelerates construction timelines Whether using SiteLink Remote Technology or the Cloud remote testing capabilities can help deep foundation testing and assessments to continue in the safest manner possible without interruption or adding additional personnel to the jobsite
For additional information please visit wwwpilecom for QA products or wwwgrlengineerscom for testing services
Bottom Cleanliness Evaluation with SQUID
A SHAPE Test Conducted in Slurry
Upcoming EventsJune01
02
03
Webinar Case Histories Cost and Time Savings AchievedthroughThermalIntegrityPro iling(Register) 900 pm ETWebinar Case Histories Cost and Time Savings AchievedthroughThermalIntegrityPro iling(Register) 1100 am ETWebinar Case Histories Cost and Time Savings AchievedthroughThermalIntegrityPro iling(Register) 800 am ET
17-18 SuperPile Virtual (dfiorg)
September
01 State of Practice Seminar Nashville TN (Register)03 State of Practice Seminar Omaha NE (Register)16 Seminar on Deep Foundation Integrity Testing and
Wave Equation Analysis Cleveland OH (Register)17-18 High Strain Dynamic Foundation Testing Workshop
andProficiencyTestCleveland OH (Register)28-30 ADSC Meeting Napa Valley CA (adsc-iafdcom)29 State of Practice Seminar Houston TX (Register)
October
01 ADSC Meeting Napa Valley CA (adsc-iafdcom)01 State of Practice Seminar Dallas TX (Register)13-16 DFI Annual Washington DC (dfiorg)26 State of Practice Seminar Philadelphia PA (Register)28 State of Practice Seminar New York NY (Register)30 State of Practice Seminar Boston MA (Register)
Due to COVID-19 any of the above events may be canceled or postponed as restrictions unfold Please visit our websites for updates
Follow Us On Social Media
GRL Engineers Inc +12168316131infoGRLengineerscomwwwGRLengineerscomCalifornia bull Colorado bull Florida bull Georgia Illinois bull Louisiana bull North Carolina bull Ohio Pennsylvania bull Texas bull Washington
Pile Dynamics Inc+12168316131infopilecomwwwpilecom30725 Aurora Rd Cleveland OH 44139
Assessing Shaft Bottom Cleanliness
An ongoing Ohio Department of Transportation project which uses drilled shafts terminated in soil required that the thickness of debris (disturbed soil and sediment) at the base
of the shaft be measured prior to casting concrete The Shaft Quantitative Inspection Device (SQUID) was proposed to perform the measurements This projectrsquos high production rate lead to the decision that the testing would be performed remotely with the engineer viewing and collecting the data in real time from their office
The ability to schedule a remote test is easily achieved by sending a text message or placing a phone call Following the notification the engineer takes remote control of the onsite data acquisition unit Then the SQUID main unit is attached to the drill rigrsquos Kelly bar adapter The contractor quickly deploys the unit and the engineer sends a confirmation text to the site The data is collected and the SQUID is removed from the shaft Immediately upon test completion the engineer outputs the results and transmits them to the site
Shaft Geometry and Verticality
Often specifications require a survey of the as-built shaft geometry and verticality of a drilled shaft Without a testing method the performance of the structure could be compromised The Shaft Area Profile Evaluator (SHAPE) quickly and easily collects and assesses profile and verticality data from the excavation The unit is attached to the Kelly bar and then lowered into the water or slurry-filled shaft to identify irregularities that affect shaft performance The SHAPE ultrasonically scans up to eight channels (at every 45-degree orientation) while being lowered into the excavationImmediately after exiting the excavation the unit quickly and wirelessly sends the data to the SHAPE tablet The tablet can be accessed remotely with SiteLink Technology which reduces the number of personnel onsite A SHAPE test does not require personnel to be near the open drilled shaft and typically takes only minutes to complete Furthermore data analysis and automatic features quickly provide the shaft profile and verticality view
Continuing Testing ndash At a Safe Distance
The pandemicrsquos ldquosocial distancingrdquo requirements has interfered with project schedules staffing travel and onsite work While the installation of foundation elements necessitates a number of personnel onsite any reduction of persons onsite however leads to a minimization of person-to-person contact which ultimately benefits the well-being of the project and those involved Most importantly during this pandemic remote testing provides the ability to collect quality data with lower costs and accelerates construction timelines Whether using SiteLink Remote Technology or the Cloud remote testing capabilities can help deep foundation testing and assessments to continue in the safest manner possible without interruption or adding additional personnel to the jobsite
For additional information please visit wwwpilecom for QA products or wwwgrlengineerscom for testing services
Bottom Cleanliness Evaluation with SQUID
A SHAPE Test Conducted in Slurry
