Recent Developments in Cast-in-Place Piles and Ground Improvement Techniques – Ep 047

In this episode, I talk to Morgan NeSmith, P.E., D.GE, award-winning Director of Engineering at Berkel & Company Contractors, Inc., about some of the recent developments in cast-in-place piles and ground improvement. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Morgan: What are continuous flight auger (CFA) piles and auger cast-in-place (ACIP) piles, and what are some of the similarities and differences between these piles? What is your opinion on the comeback of "rigid inclusion," and why should we not call it a comeback? What is measuring while drilling (MWD)? How is automated monitoring used and what is the future of MWD? How can we tie augmented / virtual reality into MWD? What advice would you like to give to our young engineers out there? Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Developments in Cast-in-Place Piles and Ground Improvement Techniques Continuous flight auger (CFA) piles and auger cast-in-place (ACIP) piles are both similar as they are rotary systems, single cast, and cast-in-place piles. Both technologies involve rotating a fully flighted auger into the ground. Single cast means to drill down to a target level and cast the pile as you withdraw. The name auger cast-in-place (ACIP) piles cover both augers cast piles and continuous flight auger (CFA) piles. The main difference between the two is the platforms used to install the piles. Auger cast-in-place piles involve a crane-mounted system with a hollow stem auger suspended from a set of swinging leads. Continuous flight auger piles are attached to drilling rigs. Ground improvement systems have refocused the industry away from only pile capacity and back to settlement. Rigid inclusions were around before structured piles were used. Anything that is being installed that is stiffer than the surrounding ground, or makes the surrounding ground stiffer, is a rigid inclusion system. Measuring while drilling (MWD) is the engineering side of the data you are acquiring. As technology has progressed, data acquisition has become a bigger deal. Systems have been developed to measure various parameters while you are drilling and while you are casting. The data is used mainly for quality control purposes. Automated monitoring is used for determining things like how much grout is placed. It is done by using flow meters and measuring the strokes of the pumps while the concrete is being placed. You can monitor the head and each increment as the pile is cast and the tools are withdrawn. Automated monitoring is now primarily used for quality control. There is work being done on how to use the data collected while drilling and correlate it to what is known about a site by its data. The data is now used to create three-dimensional models that you can turn and look at from various directions. It helps to ensure that the piles are installed correctly and efficiently in real time. Augmented / virtual reality can be tied into MWD by using the tools we have to create a visual of a pile being driven in real time. Putting on a headset will take you into the model enabling you to look at it from any aspect while it is being driven. It will increase the visualization of what engineers have been doing for many years. Along with geotechnics, looking at data system management and how the data is used is a skill that you must develop. Remember that engineers are not data managers. Humans will not be replaced because there will always be judgment calls that must be made. Use the data to help you to make informed decisions and to be more comfortable about the decisions you make. More Details in This Episode… About the Guest: Morgan NeSmith, P.E., D.GE Morgan has a B CE and MS CE from Georgia Tech and over 20 years of experience in geotechnical c...