Method and apparatus for analyzing anomalies in concrete structures

Abstract

Embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for investigating the uniformity of concrete and/or grout. Embodiments can identify the existence of one or more anomalies in the uniformity of concrete and/or grout, and/or determine or estimate the size, shape, type, and/or location of one or more anomalies in the uniformity of concrete and/or grout. Embodiments can utilize a string of temperature measuring sensors placed within one or more access bore(s), such as tube(s), positioned at least partially within the concrete and/or positioned proximate the concrete. The measurements obtained from the temperature measuring sensors can then be used to assist in the identification of existence of, size of, type of, shape of, and/or location of anomalies in the concrete and/or grout.

1 . A method for investigating the uniformity of concrete, comprising:
 placing one or more access bores at least partially within concrete positioned in a volume and/or proximate the concrete positioned in the volume;   positioning a string within the one or more access bores, wherein the string comprises one or more temperature measuring sensors; and   collecting temperature data from the one or more temperature measuring sensors.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more access bores comprises one or more tubes. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the one or more access tubes is attached to a reinforcement cage or framework placed within the concrete. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein at least one of the one or more access tubes is cast in place before concrete positioned in the volume.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein at least one of the one or more access tubes is plunged in the concrete before the concrete cures.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein at least one of the one or more access tubes is placed such that a corresponding at least one longitudinal axis of the at least one of the one or more access tubes is across or proximate a base of the foundation element.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 processing the temperature data to produce a 3D representation of temperature variations in the concrete.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 processing the temperature data to identify an existence of an anomaly in the uniformity of the concrete.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 processing the temperature data to determine a size of an anomaly in the uniformity of the concrete.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 processing the temperature data to determine a location of an anomaly in the uniformity of the concrete.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 processing the temperature data to determine a type of an anomaly in the uniformity of the concrete.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 processing the temperature data to determine a shape of an anomaly in the uniformity of the concrete.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 retrieving the string of temperature measuring sensors from the one or more access tubes.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the concrete forms a foundation element. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more access bores comprise one or more telltale casings in the concrete, wherein the string is positioned within the one or more access bores during at least a portion of the time the concrete is curing. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising removing the string from the one or more access tubes, wherein after the string is removed from the one or more access tubes, the telltale casing is used for load testing. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein at least one telltale casing of the one or more telltale casing has an inner diameter of 12 nm to 18 mm. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the concrete in the volume is a cast in pile, further comprising:
 monitoring a level of concrete in the volume during construction of the cast in pile.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the concrete has a circular cross-section through the longitudinal axis and a diameter less than 2 meters. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the concrete has a diameter less than 1 meter.