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IoT advancements in Thermal Integrity Profiling
Submitted by Pile Dynamics
Thermal Integrity Profiling (TIP) is a method that has
been implemented in drilled shafts and bored piles to
offer reliable integrity data for engineers. Shaft exca-vations
have numerous variables to account for that
can impede the installation of a quality concrete pile. Soil
inclusions, bad concrete, soil mixing at the bottom, extreme
shifting of the reinforcement cage and problems at casting to
soil interfaces are just some of the potential issues that can
occur. The benefit of using temperature monitoring is having
the ability to detect any abnormalities or major deformities
early after casting without having to wait for the information,
which can help speed construction.
Pile Dynamics, Inc., leaders in quality assurance systems
for deep foundations, developed the technology known as
TIP to offer faster, cost-effective integrity test monitoring.
TIP evaluates the entire cross-section and the entire length of
the foundation. The system includes the main unit, Thermal
Aggregator Units (TAGs), Thermal Acquisition Ports (TAP
Edges), a wire test box and Thermal Wire® cables – smart
sensing cables fitted with uniformly spaced digital tempera-ture
sensors. The Thermal Wire® cables are tied to the rebar
cage and cast into the shaft during testing. Unlike other test-ing
methods, the entire pile can be evaluated by using one
Thermal Wire® cable sensor every foot along the reinforcing
cage, creating a detailed map of data throughout the pile.
The Thermal Wire® cables work with TAP Edge to collect
data. This data is then sent from TAP Edge boxes to a TAG
unit, sending the data via a cellular modem to the cloud. A
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
TAP Edge or TAG is connected to each Thermal wire cable
and automatically samples data at user selected time inter-vals,
typically every 15 minutes, allowing for real-time data
that can be assessed on site or from the office. If an engineer
is not on site to review the data, they can quickly access it
remotely without holding up the project.
TIP Reporter software displays measured temperatures
versus depth, mapped on cross sections of the shaft to pro-vide
thermal profiling data. The results of this data include
estimated shape of the shaft, the ability to identify regions
that are colder than normal, indicating neckings or inclu-sion,
and identifying regions that are warmer than normal
indicating bulges. In addition, TIP Reporter estimates the
concrete cover along the entire length of the shaft. The
integration of TIP testing and the innovative wireless tech-nology
is making strides in the concrete industry offering
faster, more reliable testing methods that save construction
time and money.
If an engineer is not on site to
review the data, they can quickly
access it remotely without holding
up the project.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PILE DYNAMICS, INC.
PILING CANADA 11