To ensure that the correct procedures are being used in temperature assessments, a commonly used assessment method has been developed as a new American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard.

This is especially important in concrete foundations, where temperature can be a key indicator of the integrity of concrete deep foundations.

The test described in ASTM D7949 can accelerate the construction process because it can be performed sooner than any other nondestructive test, and is used to find major defects in cross sections of concrete.

“Evaluating the full cross-section of drilled shafts is important,” says ASTM member and senior partner at Pile Dynamics Inc, Garland Likins. “Lack of quality concrete either inside or outside the reinforcing cage can potentially lead to foundation failures, particularly when a defect is located relatively near the top of the shaft and when lateral forces are present.”

“The scientific reasoning for ASTM D7949 is that concrete emits heat during the curing stage”, says Likins. If temperature measurements show a relative temperature reduction in the early curing stages, that could mean poor quality concrete or a reduction in cement content due to a cross section reduction.

“Assuring the integrity of drilled deep foundations during the construction process avoids subsequent remediation of failing foundations,” says Likins.

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