Combined Measurement of Unknown Foundation Depths and Soil Properties with Nondestructive Evaluation Methods

Abstract

Simultaneously determining both the depth of unknown bridge foundations and the measurement of soil properties along the length of the unknown foundation allows for a more complete and accurate analysis of foundation capacity and scour susceptibility. Foundation depths are measured by the parallel seismic testing method, whereas soil properties are measured with a seismic cone penetrometer. The new combined technique has a great advantage over previous foundation-testing systems in that no borehole is required for either test. Instead, the transducers used to collect all of the required data are mounted together into the same cone probe and pushed into the ground hydraulically from a track-mounted mobile rig. Field testing of the new technique has been carried out and shown that the system is capable of quickly and accurately measuring foundation depths and soil properties on a variety of soil types.