A demonstration project in Huntsville, Texas, evaluated the effectiveness of using Thermal Integrity Profiling (TIP) to assess the integrity of soil nails. The demonstration was performed by GRL Engineers Inc. and Pile Dynamics Inc. (PDI) in coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation.
Thermal Integrity Profiling is a relatively new nondestructive method that uses the temperature generated by curing cement (hydration energy) to access the integrity of the elements. Initially developed at the University of South Florida to evaluate the homogeneity and integrity of the concrete mass within drilled shafts, as well as the alignment of the reinforcement cage, the method was eventually incorporated in instrumentation developed for commercial use by PDI, from Cleveland, and FGE from Plant City, Fla. The testing method has since been part of several drilled shafts quality control programs, has been employed to test augered cast-in-place (ACIP) piles, and has been expanded and adapted to investigate diaphragm or retaining walls, jet grouting columns and micropiles. The case study described herewith is the first application of this testing method to soil nails. A full description of the demonstration project is available in Piscsalko et al.(2014).