Video Library

*The use of the information set forth in these videos are at the viewer's own risk. This information should be considered neither technical nor engineering advice. Users should consult with the relevant professionals for specific advice related to their situation.

 

Why I Don't Recommend the Use of Push Together CSL Pipe

In this video I will show you why I recommend that only standard schedule 40 steel access tubes be installed in shafts for CSL testing rather than thin-wall, push-together CSL pipes.

Using ChatGPT for Pile Design

I decided to see how well ChatGPT would do when used to compute the axial capacity is compression of a closed-ended, steel pipe pile in clay soils. In this example, I will walk you through the prompts that I used for this AI program, show the answers that it came back with and point out how such tools could be used in the geotechnical field and what limitations you should consider before using such tools.

 

My Experience with Professional Engineering Organizations

In this video, I describe what I consider the advantages and disadvantages of being part of an professional engineering organization or technical trade group based upon my past experience. 

I am sure that many of you will have differing viewpoints so please let me know your thoughts in the Comments Section.

 

Pile Hammer Operation and Measurement of Stroke

In this video, I cover the basic operation of an open-ended diesel pile driving hammer. I also discuss various methods that are commonly used to observer or measure the hammer ram stroke during pile driving. The hammer ram stroke is a key value that is used as part of pile installation documentation and verification of whether pile capacity requirements have been met.

Kansas DOT Bridge Construction Manual for Installation of Driven Pile: https://www.ksdot.gov/Assets/wwwksdot...

 

 

Preparing for CSL Testing of a Drilled Shaft

In this video, I provide an overview of what is needed to be done to facilitate the performance of cross-hole sonic logging (CSL) which is a non-destructive test method to determine the integrity of a drilled shaft following its installation. I cover topics such as how many CSL access tubes do you need for a given sized shaft, what type of CSL access tubes should you use and how should they be installed at the interior of the reinforcing cage prior to concrete placement.

I will also cover the timing of performing the CSL test and how and when the test results should be communicated.

Amidon Avenue Final Pile Lengths

I provide a summary of the actual installed pile lengths for the 236 piles driven for the Amidon Avenue Bridge replacement project in Wichita, Kansas. FTC performed the construction phase PDA testing for this project. However, prior to construction, FTC performed seismic refraction surveys and a review of our data base from past, nearby pile supported bridge projects to optimize the required pile order lengths in order to avoid excessive pile cut-offs. The piles were driven to bear into a weathered shale bedrock profile (The Wellington Shale Formation is which common in Southcentral Kansas. This intermediate geo material (I.G.M.) can often lead to project designers either over-estimating or under-estimating required pile lengths. As you will see from this video, our pile length optimization study was a highly successful.

 

Response to MoDOT Pile Restrike Study

In this video I relate some of my key opinions about the Pile Setup and Restrike Procedures Study Report that was prepared by Dan Brown and Associates for Missouri Department of Transportation. This report was published by MoDOT on August 1, 2023. I also present how MoDOT could benefit by utilizing the more extensive data sets that were compiled by FTC for their PileTrac pile data services that greatly exceeds the amount of PDA source data that was used by Dan Brown and Associates to perform their study for MoDOT.

This video contains excerpts from copyrighted material. The use of these excerpts is protected under the principle of 'fair use' in copyright law. The purpose of including these excerpts is for commentary, criticism, educational, or transformative purposes, and they have been used sparingly in relation to the overall content of this video. 

Presentation by Kyle Halverson, Chief Geologist Kansas Department of Transportation

At the 2023 Highway Geology Symposium (HGS) held in Tacoma Washington (August 14 to 18, 2023), Kyle Halverson, Chief Geologist, Kansas Department of Transportation made a presentation about how KDOT is utilizing the PileTrac database and visualizations for historical dynamic pile testing data obtained from past bridge projects to support their design and construction efforts for more economical and efficient piling designs. FTC worked with KDOT to develop the PileTrac application and KDOT is the first organization to utilize it. This video include the full presentation made by Kyle.

Be sure to check out the HGS website: https://www.highwaygeologysymposium.org/ 

 

Seismic Refraction for Pile Tip Elevation Correlation - 2023 Highway Geology Symposium Presentation

Ronan Jones with FTC (Foundation Testing and Consulting, LLC) presents the results of our correlation study between dynamic pile testing data from past pile supported bridge projects with compression wave velocity profiles generated by performing seismic refraction surveys.

Be sure to check out the HGS website: https://www.highwaygeologysymposium.org/ 

Wave Equation Analysis of Piles (WEAP)

I provide you with an overview of what wave equation analysis is (WEAP), how it is used and what are the key benefits and limitations associated with this method of verification for installation of driven pile foundations.

I also provide examples from our past testing projects to illustrate key concepts covered in this video.

 

My Rant about Pile Foundation Designers

Some of FTC’s staff project experience include: Performance of cross-hole sonic logging (CSL) of drilled shafts, Dynamic pile testing of driven pile foundations using the PDA, Thermal Integrity Profiling (T.I.P) testing of drilled shafts and cast-in-place piles, Construction observation and testing for a variety of civil infrastructure, commercial and power plant projects, Vibration monitoring, Assessment of foundation performance problems, Geotechnical instrumentation installation, Geotechnical investigations for commercial, industrial and infrastructures projects.

FTC has strong relationships with a variety of specialty engineering and construction firms so we are able to provide solutions to projects with a wide range of complexity and size. In this video, I present my experiences from observing while pile foundation projects end up with much more pile or much less pile than originally anticipated during design and what some of the root causes are for this issue. 

An Overview of the PileTrac Piling Database and Dashboard Application

FTandC LLC developed PileTrac (patent pending) by compiling historical PDA test results from hundreds of our pile supported bridge projects that we have tested primarily in Missouri and Kansas. Kansas DOT is the first subscriber to this application and has been using it as an additional resource for supporting the efficient design and construction of pile supported bridge projects since 2022. FTC is available to add datasets from other state DOT's so they may utilize this application in a similar manner on a subscription basis. There are instances where actual pile installation at bridge project did not go according to plan for a variety of reasons. It is important to convey these results and lesson learned, and to retain and use this institutional knowledge in state DOT to reduce or avoid issues. The PileTrac application uses powerful analysis tools to facilitate identification of what has happened on past piling projects. It can also be used to determine what the root causes may have been for past issues and to facilitate predictions for future outcomes.

 
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What Should You Do When CSL Test Results Indicates a Shaft Anomaly

Cross-hole sonic logging is the most prevalent and most accurate test method for assessing the integrity of a cast-in-place drilled shaft during construction using non-destructive methods. In this video, I describe the difference between the terms "anomaly", "flaw" and "defect". I also outline what are the typical follow up investigation methods for the drilled shaft once an anomaly has been identified. 

View all of FTC’s project services: CLICK HERE

FTC has strong relationships with a variety of specialty engineering and construction firms so we are able to provide solutions to projects with a wide range of complexity and size. 

Thermal Integrity Profiling (T.I.P.) Testing: Challenges and Limitations

In this video, we not only explain what thermal integrity profiling is, but also how to analyze and report the results. Delve into the details of potential anomalies that can occur in the shaft due to varying material characteristics and understand the implications of concrete washout, contamination, variations in shaft diameter, and more.

We present you with multiple actual case histories to illustrate different scenarios that can arise during T.I.P. testing. One of them is a revealing case where both thermal integrity profiling and CSL testing were performed on a shaft with a significant anomaly, giving you a clear view of what major anomalies in drilled shafts can look like in thermal data.

 

CSL Test Results Analysis: Why the Original FHWA Criteria Outperforms DFI Guidelines

In this in-depth analysis, I delve into the world of Cross-hole Sonic Logging (CSL) test results and the evaluation criteria used for interpreting these results. Specifically, I take a close look at the original Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) Condition Rating Criteria and compare it with the Deep Foundation Institute (DFI)'s guidelines published in 2019. Drawing from over 22 years of experience in drilled shaft testing and insights from analyzing more than 15,000 drilled shafts, I make what I hope is a compelling case for why the original FHWA Condition Rating Criteria is a more effective and practical choice for professionals in the field. I unpack the technical aspects of assessing drilled shaft anomalies, examine specific cases, and reveal how the DFI criteria might lead to unnecessary complexities and potentially even false accuracy. 

FHWA Drilled Shaft Design and Construction Manual: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/geotech/nhi18024.pdf 

Things to Consider Before Being an Expert Witness

In this video, I provide general guidance as to what an expert witness does and some of the key items you should consider before deciding to become an expert witness. I also provide some examples of my past experiences in this area. Please be sure to Like and Subscribe and share these videos with your colleagues.

If you have an inquiry related to retaining me as a consultant on one of your deep foundation projects, please contact us today: CLICK HERE

 

An Overview of Drilled Shaft Testing Methods

In this video, I provide an introduction to the most commonly performed non-destructive test methods used to evaluate the integrity of concrete drilled shafts and cast-in-place piles. I discuss cross-hole sonic logging (CSL), sonic echo/impulse response (SE/IR or what is sometimes referred to as P.I.T.) and thermal integrity profiling (T.I.P.) test methods. 

View all of FTC’s project services: CLICK HERE

FTC has strong relationships with a variety of specialty engineering and construction firms so we are able to provide solutions to projects with a wide range of complexity and size.

FTC Channel Introduction

In this video I describe my experience in performing thousands of drilled shaft and PDA tests. This channel will provide good technical insight into the various methods available for deep foundation testing and analysis. As I am a licensed professional engineer and geologist in several states, I will also provide my thoughts about what younger engineers may want to know about how to be an effective consultant and how to run your own successful engineering or consulting firm. 

View all of FTC’s project services: CLICK HERE

FTC has strong relationships with a variety of specialty engineering and construction firms so we are able to provide solutions to projects with a wide range of complexity and size. 

 

Amidon Avenue - Pier 3 PDA Test and Seismic Refraction Study (Full Version)

We performed an analysis of the subsurface profile at the Amidon Avenue Bridge replacement project in Wichita, Kansas for King Construction. For this study, we performed seismic refraction surveys prior to start of construction to determine likely pile penetration depths into a weathered shale bedrock profile (Wellington Shale). These correlations were based upon our previous case histories of performing seismic refraction surveys at prior bridge construction projects where FTC had also performed PDA testing to monitor the installation of the driven pile foundations. Based upon our studies (which also included a review of our historical piling database) we recommended that King Construction go with substantially shorter pile lengths for production piles relative to the plan pile lengths. In this video, we performed PDA testing at Pier 3 and talk about our predictions for where the pile was expected to tip out based upon our study. PDA testing at the other substructures for this bridge will be performed at a later date. We had predicted that the total required pile length would be 31 feet at Pier 3. Since this is the first time a study like this was performed (to our knowledge) prior to ordering production piles, we had suggested that 36 feet pile length be ordered to be a on the conservative side and still save a significant amount of money but also not require a pile splice. Of our 31 foot production pile length prediction at Pier 3, we found at at total pile length of 29.3 feet was required to reach the 268 kip required capacity on the HP12X53 pile. Therefore, our pile length prediction was only 1.7 feet greater than actual required pile length.

Thank you to Jordan Toogood, President and CEO of King Construction of Hesston, Kansas for authorizing this seismic refraction survey and related study and for having FTC perform the dynamic pile testing. This methodology has the potential to realize significant cost savings for future pile supported bridge projects where estimating pile penetration into a weathered shale bedrock profile can be challenging.

Amidon Avenue - Pier 3 PDA Test and Seismic Refraction Study (Short Version)

We performed an analysis of the subsurface profile at the Amidon Avenue Bridge replacement project in Wichita, Kansas for King Construction. For this study, we performed seismic refraction surveys prior to start of construction to determine likely pile penetration depths into a weathered shale bedrock profile (Wellington Shale). These correlations were based upon our previous case histories of performing seismic refraction surveys at prior bridge construction projects where FTC had also performed PDA testing to monitor the installation of the driven pile foundations. Based upon our studies (which also included a review of our historical piling database) we recommended that King Construction go with substantially shorter pile lengths for production piles relative to the plan pile lengths. In this video, we performed PDA testing at Pier 3 and talk about our predictions for where the pile was expected to tip out based upon our study. PDA testing at the other substructures for this bridge will be performed at a later date. We had predicted that the total required pile length would be 31 feet at Pier 3. Since this is the first time a study like this was performed (to our knowledge) prior to ordering production piles, we had suggested that 36 feet pile length be ordered to be a on the conservative side and still save a significant amount of money but also not require a pile splice. Of our 31 foot production pile length prediction at Pier 3, we found at at total pile length of 29.3 feet was required to reach the 268 kip required capacity on the HP12X53 pile. Therefore, our pile length prediction was only 1.7 feet greater than actual required pile length.

Thank you to Jordan Toogood, President and CEO of King Construction of Hesston, Kansas for authorizing this seismic refraction survey and related study and for having FTC perform the dynamic pile testing. This methodology has the potential to realize significant cost savings for future pile supported bridge projects where estimating pile penetration into a weathered shale bedrock profile can be challenging.

 

A New Perspective on the Champlain Towers South Fatal Building Collapse

Join me as I dive deep into one of the more tragic structural collapses in U.S. history: the Surfside Condominium collapse of 2021. While many have examined the technical factors, this video takes a different angle, focusing on the ethical considerations and responsibilities engineers face. I discuss the importance of clear communication, risk assessment, and the challenges in balancing client relations with public safety. Through a close look at key reports and documentation surrounding the event, I raise what I consider to be thought-provoking questions about the role engineers play in ensuring the safety of buildings and infrastructure. Whether you're an engineer, a student, or simply someone curious about the complexities behind such a tragic event, this video aims to foster reflection and discussion. Share your thoughts in the comments and don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more content.

Link to Morabito Consultants 2018 Report on Condition of Champlain Towers South Building: https://www.wfla.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/2021/06/8777-collins-ave-structural-field-survey-report.pdf 

SPT Hammer Calibration Procedures

In this video I show you the overall procedures for performing SPT hammer calibrations for drill rigs. SPT hammer calibration is important for normalizing the raw measured blow counts to N60 values as the early develop of geotechnical engineering design practices that are still used today were developed from investigations with an overall hammer energy efficiency of 60 percent. Modern safety hammers have much higher average efficiencies which result in lower blow count values as compared to values normalized to N60 values. Knowing what the normalized N values should be for samples collected using modern hammers is particularly important for liquefaction studies.

 

 

 

 

Seismic Refraction Surveys for Correlating Pile Penetration Depths at Bridge Projects

We describe potential applications for performing surface geophysical methods (primarily seismic refraction and MASW surveys) for determining the likely penetration depths of driven piling by making correlations with historical PDA data at pile supported bridge projects. We also describe other potential uses for geophysical surveys to support the design and construction of deep foundations for bridge projects. We very much appreciate the support of Geometrics in providing testing equipment for our use in this current investigation.