HKCI: TM 3 Determination of Geometry of Excavation by Ultrasonic Echo SoundingTest Method for Determination of Geometry of Excavation by Ultrasonic Echo Sounding Published by the Hong Kong Concrete Institute May 2009Acknowledgements The drafting work of this test method was first initiated by the Materials Division of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. A Diagnostic Testing Group (DTG) was established in May 2004. The membership of the DTG was as follows: Ir C K CHEUNG (Convener of DTG) Mr Matthew C Y CHAN Ms Fiona W Y CHAN Mr Jerry CHEUK Ir Keith T W CHOI Prof Michael Y Y HUNG Mr Babu Sajeesh KUMAR Prof LI Zongjin Dr Tommy Y LO Ir Richard SUMERS Dr Steven W F TSANG Mr David C K TSUI Mr WC YUE Hong Kong Accreditation Service Building Diagnostic Consultants Limited ETS-Testconsult Limited Peiport Scientific Limited Castco Testing Centre Limited City University of Hong Kong Foundation Techniques Limited The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology City University of Hong Kong Quality Control Consultants Limited The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Geotechnics & Concrete Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited Foundation Techniques Limited Since the establishment of the Hong Kong Concrete Institute (HKCI) in late 2007, a Building Diagnostic Division was formed under HKCI and took over the drafting work of this test method. HKCI would sincerely acknowledge the work of the following persons who have contributed to the drafting of this recommended test method Ir C K CHEUNG (Convener of DTG) Ms Fiona W Y CHAN Prof Albert K H KWAN Dr Steven W F TSANG Mr David C K TSUI Mr WC YUE Hong Kong Accreditation Service The University of Hong Kong The University of Hong Kong The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Geotechnios & Concrete Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited Foundation Techniques LimitedTABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements Page Scope Definitions Principle Measuring Apparatus Personnel Qualifications Calibration and Verification Testing Procedures Calculation and Expression of Results Reporting Limitations CMVOHRONS ORR WENNoaH 3 Figure1 Schematic drawing showing the configuration of the typical UES system Figure 2 Typical UES profile showing the profiles of excavation holes/shafts Appendix A References Appendix B Calibration ~xfoa1. Scope 14 12 This test method covers the equipment, field procedures, interpretation of data for the measurement of the vericaliy and geometry of excavation holesishafts, and dimensions of ‘bellout’ at a toe using Ultrasonic Echo Sounding (UES) technique. This method does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. itis the responsibility of the user of this method to establish appropriate safety and health practices ang determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 2. Definitions 21 UES- Ultrasonic Echo Sounding 2.2 UES profile - Acombined graphical output of a series of measured or processed ultrasonic pulses with depth, 2.3 Range- A horizontal distance between the two ends of the surface walls of excavation holes/shafts that can be measured by the distance between the two first received signals on UES profiles 24 Depth- A vertical distance that represents the depth of excavation holes/shafts on UES profiles 2.5 Scaling factor - A factor used to convert the readings measured on UES profiles into the scaled valuos, 2.6 Ultrasonic sensor head - combination of transmitters and receivers of UES equipment. 3. Principle 3.1. UES measurements involve measuring the propagation time of an ultrasonic pulse for a reflection off the sidewalls (such as steel casing, bedrock, soil layer, concrete guide wall, etc.) of an excavation holes/shas prior tothe concreting stage 3.2 Its important to fil the excavation holes/shatts with a propagation medium (such as water, bentonite slurry solutions, etc.) to obtain a good coupling effect for ultrasonic wave propagation. 3.3. The transmitted ultrasonic pulses are reflected as a result of changes of the acoustic impedance at different material boundaries. The flow paths of such transmission are as follows [1]: eer Reflected off ns fater! steel casing/ Jater! Atranemitter of Bentonite bedrock!” Bentonite A receiver of UES aystem slurry solllayer! slurry UES system solution ner solution obstacles 3.4 Each interface of two different materials (i.e. difference in acoustic impedance) produces partial reflecti (ie. receiving signals) and transmission to occur at normal incidence, and even makes the receiving signals variable,4, Measuring Apparatus 44 4.2 43 44 5. Personni Apparatus for allowing excavation holes/shafts inspection > Excavation holes/shatts -To provide access for an ultrasonic sensor head of the UES equipment, steel casings, if any, are installed during the drilling of excavation holes/shafts. The internal diameter of the excavation holes/shafts shall be sufficient to allow the easy passage of the ultrasonic sensor head over the entire excavation depth. Excavation holes/shafts typically have an internal diameter from 1 to 8 m, and shall be filled with water/bentonite slurry solutions to provide a propagation medium for ultrasonic pulse propagation Apparatus for determining physical test parameters > Weighted measuring tape - A plumb bob connected to a measuring tape shall be used as a dummy ultrasonic sensor head to check free passage through and determine the unobstructed length of excavation holes/shafts to the nearest 100 mm, Magnetic compass or gyroscope - A magnetic compass accurate to within 10° shall be used to document the excavation holes/shafts designations compared with the site layout plan. Alternately, excavation holes/shafts shall be labeled based on the site plan and used for reporting test results. Apparatus of obtaining measurements > ¥ Ultrasonic sensor head - The transmitters shall generate an ultrasonic pulse with a frequency between 80 to 110 kHz. Signal transmission cable - The signal cable used to deploy an ultrasonic sensor head and transmit data from the sensor head shall be sufficient robust to support the sensor head's weight. The cable shall be abrasion resistant to allow repeated field use and maintain flexibility in the range of anticipated temperatures. All cable connector or splices, if any, shall be watertight. Where the signal transmission cables exit the sensor head, suitable cable guides, pulleys or cushioning material shall be fitted with the UES equipment to minimize abrasion and generally assist with smooth deployment of the ultrasonic sensor head. The total length of cable shall be covered the measured depth, and typically at least 100 m. Apparatus for recording and displaying data > General - The signals from the transmitters and the receivers of the ultrasonic sensor head shall be transmitted to a field rugged apparatus for recording and displaying the data in the form of an Ultrasonic profile. A typical schematic arrangement forthe test apparatus is illustrated in Figure 1 Recording Apparatus - Each transmitted ultrasonic pulse shall immediately start the acquisition for the corresponding receiver. Analog signals of an ultrasonic pulse measured by the receivers shall be digitized by an analog to digital converter with a minimum sampling frequency of 4 Hz. Apparatus for Display of Measured Data - The apparatus shall be capable of displaying the ranges of the sidewalls of an excavated hole/shatt in either one or both of two orthogonal directions (depends on the design of the instrumentation of UES equipment) at any one time, and also record test information such as date and time of the measurement carried out, and depth of an excavated hole/shaft. Personnel performing UES measurements shall have adequate training, qualification & experience. The training course shall be recognized and approved by the Hong Kong Concrete Institute (HKCI).6. Calibrat 61 62 ation in and Veri Calibration of UES equipment The calibration aims to determine the real performance and accuracy of the UES equipment in terms of range and depth parameters, The calibration work shall be carried out at a regular interval (see Appendix 8). Verification of UES equipment The verification aims to investigate the working performance of the UES equipment in different testing situations. The verification work quantifies the effects of different densities of bentonite/slurry solutions, different angles of reflections (i.e. simulation of the ‘bell-out’ at an excavated hole/shaft toe) and different extents of horizontal projections (ie. simulation of rough reflecting surfaces of an excavated hole/shaft) on the measured ranges (obtained from UES profiles) of an excavated hole/shaft. The transmission frequency and sampling frequency of the ultrasonic sensor head, and the angle of dispersion of sound beam in both vertical and horizontal directions shail be included in the verification work. The verification work shall be carried out at a regular interval. 7. Testing Procedures 7A 72 73 74 75 78 17 78 79 7.10 ma Check that the apparatus is functioning correctly prior to stabilizing to site. Date of measurement - The tests shall be performed after the test excavated holes/shafts are filled with water/bentonite slurry solutions, Ultrasonic sensor head preparation - To obtain a good acoustic coupling between the probes and the propagation media in the test excavated holes/shafts, the ultrasonic sensor head shall be clean and free from alll contaminants. Test excavated holes/shafts documentation - Before the UES measurement, check the depth of the test excavated holes/shafts by a weighted measuring tape, record measurement directions by a magnetic compass or gyroscope, and any other specific observation or given information relevant to each excavated hole/shatt tested that relate to the holes/shafts tested, Bentonite slurry solution measurement (if available) - Check the characteristics of bentonite slurry solution in terms of density or a conductivity value. Set up the ultrasonic sensor head of the UES equipment nearly in the centre of the test excavated hole/shatt. Check that test equipment and the ultrasonic sensor head functioning correctly prior to actual testing by lowering the ultrasonic sensor head in a water-/bentonite slurry-filled test excavated hole/shaft and verifying that ultrasonic pulses are received in the recording apparatus. Doing a distance correction shall be needed. This distance correction shall be used to adjust reflected waves from the guide wall or the wall of casing to the position of the scale equal to the distance. Select a proper range scale for the test excavated hole/shaft in the actual UES measurement, Carefully lower the ultrasonic sensor head down the test excavated hole/shaft at a steady rate not ‘exceeding 15 m/min, Set an appropriate signal gain during the actual UES measurement in order to increase signal-to-noise ratio to produce better results of receiving ultrasonic signals, After completing data acquisition, view the UES profiles obtained and check the UES profiles quality, It shall be of good resolution and contrast.8. Calculation and Expression of Results a4 8.2 83 Test excavation hole/shaft dimension or bell-out’ dimension ( L' ) U=r"S (unit: m) a) Where ris the measured value on UES profiles by a calibrated caliper, Sis a scaling factor (to convert rinto L’ ); Lis a converted range value (ie. r*S_). Verticality of a test excavation hole/shaft (V) DF (A-B) @) Where Ais the reading measured from UES profiles near the top region of the first received signals (in m); Bis the reading measured from UES profiles near the bottom ofthe frst received signals (but before a ‘bell-out’ region, if any) (in m); DF is the depth difference between the depths at which the values of readings A and B are measured on The UES profiles (in m). Note The parameters A, 8 and OF in Equation (2) are illustrated in Figure 2 In addition to the overall verticality of a test excavation hole/shaff, successive evaluation of verticality at 40 m (or 5 m) interval is required 9. Reporting 94 92 93 a4 95 General - The test report shall contain the following information when available or applicable: > Identification of testing agency > Project and client information > Date and time of measurement > Description of the testing UES equipment (such as 2-channel or 4-channel in one measurement) > Identification of test staff and of person responsible for the validity ofthe test report Test Excavation Hole/Shaft(s) > Identification and location of test excavation hole/shatt > As-built geometry of test excavation hole/shaft including nominal andfor actual diameter and length, > Identification of directions of test excavation hole/shatt > Cutoff and ground elevation of test excavation hole/shatt, elevation of steel casing top, or length from casing top to the test excavation hole/shaft toe. > Any other specific observation or given information relevant to each excavated hole/shaft tested (for ‘example propagation media, tremie pipe inside the test excavation hole/shaft, etc.) that relate to the Shaft tested. UES Profiles - The UES profiles shall be presented logically and clearly for each excavation hole/shaft tested and relevant information shall accompany the profiles or be clearly associated with the profiles by cross-referencing, including the directions of the ultrasonic sensor head for the UES profile with time and depth axes and scales allowing clear data interpretation. Determination of test excavation hole/shaft dimension and ‘bell-out’ dimension (if available) - The test excavated hole/shaft and ‘bell-out' dimensions shall be reported in standard unit, Calculation of verticality of a test excavation hole/shaft - The verticality shall be reported as a ratio (i.e. 1: V),10. Limitations 10.1 Due to the design of the instrumentation of the UES equipment, only two directions (i.e. X-X' direction and Y-Y' direction) can be measured at any one time. The testing area is limited to two directions and the conditions of drilled shafts in other elevations are not covered [1]. 10.2 In performing UES measurements, the sensor head of the UES equipment is found to be required in the centre of a drilled shaft to produce reliable UES profiles at an optimal position. However, for slanted shafts, a number of measurements should be carried out to obtain an actual picture of the construction of these slanted shafts [1] 10.3. The travel medium in diaphragm walls is sometimes filled with bentonite slurry solutions. However, the UES equipment cannot measure the sidewalls in muddy water [2]. This is due to the high attenuation {including scattering, absorption and reflection) of ultrasonic waves in a muddy solution. As a result, clear reflecting signals cannot be obtained on UES profiles even though the UES equipment is in a high SNR setting, LLq—UES equipment ‘Apparatus for Recording and Signal cable | Displaying Data Bentonite slurry solution or ‘leer water filed in an a excavated hole/shaft 30000mm Remark : “<> Transmission of ultrasonic waves | 200mm, Figure 1 Schematic drawing showing the configuration of the typical UES system 5[oaes meow dei iste eases OF) a 6 2B S, Depth difference (DF) Bell-out Figure 2 Typical UES profile showing the profiles of excavation holes/shaftsAppendix A References [1] Chan, W.Y. & Tsang, W.F. ‘Earth echo sounding technique for quality control of drilled shaft foundations’, BINDT Insight - Non-Destructive Testing and Condition Monitoring, Vol.46, No.1, pp.17-22 (2004). [2] Lau, H.L. Zhuang ji gong cheng shou ce / ‘Zhuang ji gong cheng shou ce' bian xie wei yuan hui, Zhongguo jian zhu gong ye chu ban she, Beijing, p.p.786-799 (1995) (in Chinese). [3] Lin, S.S. and Hoe, E. ‘Quality Control for Pile Foundations Using Nondestructive Testing: Case Studies in Taiwan’, Transportation Research Record 1633, pp.102-107 (1998). Appendix B Calibration B1_ Range Calibration 1.1. The range calibration shall be carried out at different horizontal dimensions (for example, ranging between 800mm and 3900 mm) at an interval of roughly 500mm). The reference steel tank (with a dimension of at least 3000 mm long) shall be firstly filled with water to provide a propagation medium for ultrasonic wave | transmission. 1.2 The sensor head of the UES equipment shall be lowered into the water-filled reference steel tank (as shown in Figure 81) until the whole sensor head is fully immersed in water. Xo dracon Reteronce stool tank Steet pate veraweeion , steel pate ‘Sensor head oom 400mm Figure B1 Schematic drawing of the water- lled reference steel tank in the range calibration B1.3. The sensor head shall be kept stationary at the calibration level. Two steel plates are put at each end of the tank to produce the first calibration range. After the measurement at the first calibration range is obtained, the steel plates are moved towards the sensor head to produce the second one and so on until the measurement at the last calibration range is obtained. 7B14 B15 B16 Figure B2 shows an example of the UES test results in the range calibration. The two thick black lines are the first receiving signals reflected off the two steel plates put at each end of the tank. The horizontal distance between the two black lines is the range value R which also represents the horizontal distance between the surfaces of the two steel plates (i.e. the calibration range). 2002 2 verre, pone BeE a aa I | ot] _ wt Speck on I po z Figure B2_ Example of the UES profile in the range calibration Three readings of the range value R shall be taken from each UES profile to get their average. The deviation/error is calculated by comparing the average of the range value R with the independently measured dimension of the reference steel tank (i.e. using an independent measuring tape) at each calibration range. The sensor head of the UES equipment consists of the ultrasonic transmitters in two orthogonal directions. (ie. XX’ direction and Y-Y' direction). After obtaining the measurements at all the calibration ranges in X-X' direction, the sensor head shall be turned to 900 to obtain that in Y-Y" direction B2 Depth Calibration B24 B22 B23 The master/hoisting unit of the UES equipment shall be firstly hoisted to a high point, and a measuring tape is attached to the hoisting cable of the UES equipment. The cable (together with the attached measuring tape) shall be lowered from this top position to a series of predetermined depths. The measured length of the cable oblained by the measuring tape shall be compared with the display depth (i.e. depth readings shown on the display unit of the UES equipment) in order to determine any deviation. B3 Alternative Range Calibration 83.1 The reference steel tank with dimension at approx. 2500mm long is used. The sensor is lower down at the edge of the tank for maximum range calibration. A sensor head is turned in 900 for a next sensor until all four sensors (X, X,Y and Y’) are calibrated.* netoonce Sel Tank Yo Steel Plate Lower the Sensor at the _}1¥)} edge of the tank to calibrate the maximum Figure B3 Example of Alternative Range Cal B4 Alternative Depth Calibration B41 The master unit of UES equipment fixed on the steel frame which has the pulley system to change the cable direction from vertical to horizontal. B4.2 The reference measuring tape is fixed on the ground, the sensor cable is kept in tension and move horizontally to a series of predetermined length 84.3 The measured length of the cable obtained by the measuring tape shall be compared with the display depth (ie. depth readings shown on the display unit / plotted graph of the UES equipment) in order to determine any deviation. UES Sensor jensor keeps in tension ‘and move horizontally Pulley system Reference Tape Measure Figure B4 Example of Alternative Depth Calibration setupPAUL Lek molt ee peli CLTe hyp)