Abstract: In one embodiment, a concrete strength testing system includes a core drill having a core barrel, a press associated with the core drill that is configured to drive the core barrel into concrete to be tested, a force sensor associated with the core drill that is configured to measure a force with which the core barrel is driven into the concrete by the press, and a depth measurement device configured to measure a depth into the concrete to which the core barrel is driven by the press.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a concrete strength testing system includes a core drill having a core barrel, a press associated with the core drill that is configured to drive the core barrel into concrete to be tested, a force sensor associated with the core drill that is configured to measure a force with which the core barrel is driven into the concrete by the press, and a depth measurement device configured to measure a depth into the concrete to which the core barrel is driven by the press.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system for automatically evaluating slurry properties includes a down-hole measurement device configured to be lowered into slurry provided in an excavated hole, the measurement device comprising an outer housing, a flow pump, a flow meter, and a differential pressure sensor, wherein the flow pump is configured to pump slurry through the flow meter, the flow meter is configured to measure a flow rate of the pumped slurry, and the differential pressure sensor is configured to measure a difference in pressure between the pumped slurry and the slurry outside of the measurement device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system for automatically evaluating slurry properties includes a down-hole measurement device configured to be lowered into slurry provided in an excavated hole, the measurement device comprising an outer housing, a flow pump, a flow meter, and a differential pressure sensor, wherein the flow pump is configured to pump slurry through the flow meter, the flow meter is configured to measure a flow rate of the pumped slurry, and the differential pressure sensor is configured to measure a difference in pressure between the pumped slurry and the slurry outside of the measurement device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pile splicing system and method uses a pile segment adapted to form part of a spliced pile, the pile segment including an elongated concrete body having first and second ends, one-way anchor embedded in the body that is adapted to resist passage of a post-tensioning strand in a direction toward the first end of the body; and a splicing duct embedded in the body that extends from the first end to the embedded one-way anchor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for applying reinforcement material to an existing structure includes a work rail adapted to be temporarily secured to a bottom surface of the structure, adhesive applying apparatus supported by the work rail, the adhesive applying apparatus being adapted to form an adhesive layer on the bottom surface of the structure adjacent the work rail, and reinforcement material applying apparatus supported by the work rail, the reinforcement material applying apparatus being adapted to apply reinforcement material to the adhesive layer formed on the bottom surface of the structure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for applying reinforcement material to an existing structure includes a work rail adapted to be temporarily secured to a bottom surface of the structure, adhesive applying apparatus supported by the work rail, the adhesive applying apparatus being adapted to form an adhesive layer on the bottom surface of the structure adjacent the work rail, and reinforcement material applying apparatus supported by the work rail, the reinforcement material applying apparatus being adapted to apply reinforcement material to the adhesive layer formed on the bottom surface of the structure.

Abstract: A method of constructing a voided drilled shaft concrete structure is provided. Drilled shafts are large-diameter cast-in-place concrete structures that can generate extremely high temperatures during the concrete hydration/curing phase. The method includes creating an excavation, inserting a cage or an inner casing into the excavation, and filling with concrete the space between the outer surface of the cage or inner surface and the inner surface of the excavation.

Abstract: Provided is a method for enhancing an adhesive bond between a pile and a resin adhesive by maintaining a constant uniform positive pressure of the entire wrapped region regardless of the shrinkage in the resin adhesive. This invention enhances underwater adhesive bond by ensuring proper contact while curing. In one embodiment, constant inward pressure is created by encapsulating the repair and applying a vacuum. The invention can be used for a variety of underwater applications using different resins and different substrate materials. For instance, the invention could be used to repair damaged critical infrastructure, e.g. Bridges, dams, pipelines and locks. Local, state and federal agencies in US and elsewhere as well as marine and naval contractors would find great utility with the invention. The concept could be extended to all adhesion dependent repairs.

Abstract: A method for increasing stiffness of bearing strata formed of soil, rock or other geomaterial includes the steps of injecting non-hardening pre-compression fluids, in the form of viscous non-hardening slurries that are pressurized beneath a foundation tip for extended periods of time, into the bearing strata to cause pre-compression of the bearing strata. This enhances end bearing capacity in poorly draining soils by providing more time to squeeze water from voids in the poorly draining soils. The bearing strata may also be mechanically pre-compressed. The non-hardening pre-compression fluids may be exchanged with grout to fill a void formed by cavity expansion and previously occupied by the non-hardening, pre-compression fluid. This grout is cured without external additional pressure. Grout may be used in lieu of non hardening pre-compression fluids to affect end bearing enhancement provided that external additional pressure is not applied to the grout while it cures.

Abstract: A method for increasing stiffness of bearing strata formed of soil, rock or other geomaterial includes the steps of injecting non-hardening pre-compression fluids, in the form of viscous non-hardening slurries that are pressurized beneath a foundation tip for extended periods of time, into the bearing strata to cause pre-compression of the bearing strata. This enhances end bearing capacity in poorly draining soils by providing more time to squeeze water from voids in the poorly draining soils. The bearing strata may also be mechanically pre-compressed. The non-hardening pre-compression fluids may be exchanged with grout to fill a void formed by cavity expansion and previously occupied by the non-hardening, pre-compression fluid. This grout is cured without external additional pressure. Grout may be used in lieu of non hardening pre-compression fluids to affect end bearing enhancement provided that external additional pressure is not applied to the grout while it cures.

Abstract: A method of constructing a voided drilled shaft concrete structure is provided. Drilled shafts are large-diameter cast-in-place concrete structures that can generate extremely high temperatures during the concrete hydration/curing phase. When this temperature exceeds safe limits, the concrete does not cure correctly and will ultimately degrade. Minimizing the peak temperature (and the associated defects) can be undertaken by casting the shafts without concrete in the core (forming a void) thereby removing a large amount of energy producing material in a region that is least likely to benefit the structural capacity and that is less able to dissipate the associated core temperatures due to the presence of the more peripheral concrete.

Abstract: Provided is a method for enhancing an adhesive bond between a pile and a resin adhesive by maintaining a constant uniform positive pressure of the entire wrapped region regardless of the shrinkage in the resin adhesive. This invention enhances underwater adhesive bond by ensuring proper contact while curing. In one embodiment, constant inward pressure is created by encapsulating the repair and applying a vacuum. The invention can be used for a variety of underwater applications using different resins and different substrate materials. For instance, the invention could be used to repair damaged critical infrastructure, e.g. Bridges, dams, pipelines and locks. Local, state and federal agencies in US and elsewhere as well as marine and naval contractors would find great utility with the invention. The concept could be extended to all adhesion dependent repairs.

Abstract: A method for detecting and locating foreign inclusions in a drilled cylindrical shaft includes the steps of positioning at least one logging tube within the drilled shaft in parallel relation to a longitudinal axis of the drilled shaft, providing a temperature sensing means, identifying a plurality of temperature locations along the extent of the logging tube, pouring concrete into the drilled shaft, covering the at least one logging tube and monitoring in real time the temperature at various depths and radial directions within the logging tube during the hydration phase of the concrete curing. Temperature readings that differ from expected readings are deemed positioned in the vicinity of an anomalous inclusion. The range over which these anomalous readings are detected, the magnitude of the variance, and the orientation are used to predict the size and location of anomalies prior to the full curing of the concrete.

Abstract: A lateral motion sensing assembly for sensing movement experienced by a structural member such as a support beam or driven pile. The sensing assembly is immersed within a casing which is mounted to the structural member. The sensing assembly includes a support body and an accelerometer mounted to the support body for measuring movement of the structural member. The accelerometer is aligned with an anticipated line of motion such that measurements can be made along this line of motion. A pair of lever arms are pivotally mounted to the support body for removably securing the support body within the casing. A spring is mounted between the support body and lever arms for continuously biasing the lever arms to a position perpendicular with the support body.