As a part of the Dutch development program Geo-impulse, which aims to half the occurrence of geotechnical failures in civil engineering projects inside the Netherlands by 2015, this master thesis is investigating how to trace imperfections in bored piles at an early stage. The objective is to carry out literature study on suitable methods and then focus the research on one particular method. The basis of the research is the single-hole sonic logging method. Field and laboratory measurements are carried out with the aim to investigate the detection range of the method as well as try to apply more advanced post-processing techniques. Results from the measurements are discussed and also a comparison between single-hole sonic logging and the better standardized test cross-hole sonic logging is made. The results indicate that single-hole sonic logging has a small detection range inside a bored pile, especially compared to cross-hole sonic logging. Also more advanced post-processing techniques fails or make the test to advance to use on a daily basis. Finally the recommendation is to carry on research with other techniques which in scientific papers have showed some promising results.

For piling works in sensitive soil, especially in inner city projects, it is essential to be aware of the available methods and to choose the most suitable method to minimize the risk of damaging existing buildings or endanger the workers at the construction site. Down-the-hole drilling of piles is a relatively safe method and can be separated into drilling with air powered hammers and water powered hammers. This study compares water powered drilling with air powered drilling and shows that the impact on the soil generated by air powered drilling is larger than that from water powered drilling. A field study was carried out where 4 piles were drilled, two with air powered DTH drilling and two with water powered DTH drilling. The drilling was carried out in clay resting on an approximately 4 m layer of silt and friction soil. The total soil depth was about 12- 15 m. To analyze the soil influence, settlements were measured at ground level and in depth and pore pressure was measured in the middle of the clay layer. This study distinguished two major problems when drilling through this type of soil. The first is the risk of over-drilling in the friction layer. The second problem is the risk of increasing the pore pressure in the clay. Both these problems were experienced when using air powered drilling but for the water powered case only a small pore pressure increase and no over-drilling was observed. In conclusion, drilling with water has less influence on the soil in the sense that it gives a smaller effect on the pore water pressure and causes smaller settlements. / För pålningsarbeten i känsliga jordar och speciellt i innerstadsprojekt är det viktigt att vara medveten om befintliga metoder och välja den mest gynnsamma av dessa för att på så sätt minimera de risker som är sammankopplade med arbetet. Sänkhammarborrning är en relativt säker påldrivningsmetod och kan delas upp i luftdriven borrning och vattendriven borrning. Det här arbetet jämför dessa två metoder och visar att formationspåverkan vid luftdriven borrning är större än den vid vattendriven borrning. Arbetet baseras på en fältstudie där totalt 4 pålar borrades, två med luftdriven borrning och två med vattendriven borrning. Borrningen genomfördes i en formation med lera ovanpå silt och ren friktionsjord och jorddjupet på platsen varierade mellan 12-15 meter. För att undersöka formationspåverkan mättes sättningar på djupet och på markytan och portryck mättes mitt i lerlagret. Arbetet kunde urskilja två huvudsakliga problem vid borrning i den här typen av formation. Det första är risken för överborrning i friktionslager och det andra är risken för portrycksökning i tätare lerlager. Båda dessa fenomen observerades när luftborrning utfördes men inget av dem kunde urskiljas då vattenborrning utfördes. Sammanfattningsvis kan sägas att vattendriven borrning påverkar jorden mindre i den mening att den ger upphov till mindre portrycksökning och orsakar mindre korttidssättningar.

Apresenta-se o conceito de elemento isolado de fundação em tubulão, e analisa-se 10 provas de carga dinâmica de energia crescente, nos tubulões, considerando as provas de carga estática realizadas anteriormente nos mesmos. Os ensaios são realizados em tubulões a céu aberto, situados em maciço de solo da formação Rio Claro e Itaqueri, no campo experimental de fundações da USP/EESC. As análises baseiam-se em curvas de resistência x deslocamento e gráficos que mostram a evolução da resistência mobilizada com o aumento da energia aplicada, resultantes dos impactos do ensaio dinâmico de energia crescente (metodologia PDA e análises CAPWAP). Analisam-se também a influência da pré-inundação e da variação da sucção do maciço de solos nos ensaios dinâmicos, o efeito do reensaio e a variabilidade nos resultados de ensaios de investigação geotécnica (SPT e CPT), realizados no campo experimental. Os resultados das provas de carga dinâmica de energia crescente mostram que a resposta do sistema isolado de fundação em tubulão é diferente a cada nível de energia aplicada e que a história de carregamento do elemento isolado de fundação é de extrema importância para análise dos ensaios nele realizado. / The concept of an isolated foundation element in large diameter bored pile is presented and 10 dynamic loading tests with increased energy are analysed. The interpretation of the dynamic loading tests has been proceeded with due consideration of the results of static loading tests performed previously. The loading tests have been carried out in large diameter bored piles founded in Rio Claro and Itaqueri soil formation, situated in the experimental foundation field of USP/EESC. The analyses are based on resistance x displacement curves and selected graphics illustrating the development of mobilized resistance with increasing applied energy during a dynamic loading test (PDA methodology and CAPWAP type analysis). The influence of previous inundation in soil mass and suction variation are also analysed, as well as the effect of test repetition and variability in SPT and CPT results. The results obtained with the dynamic loading tests with increasing energy revealed a distinct behaviour of the isolated foundation system for each level of applied energy, showing that the loading history is an aspect of extreme relevance to an adequate analysis of the dynamic tests perfomed.

Este trabalho apresenta resultados de provas de carga em tubulões a céu aberto, com o monitoramento do teor de umidade através do processo de tradagem, a cada metro, até uma profundidade de 9,0 m, em um maciço de solo não-saturado e colapsível, representativo da região centro-oeste do interior do Estado de São Paulo. Ao todo, realizaram-se dez provas de carga, no Campo Experimental de Fundações da EESC/USP, com e sem inundação do terreno, com carregamento do fuste, foram introduzidas placas de isopor (E.P.S) a fim de, durante a realização dos ensaios, obter separadamente as parcelas de resistência de base e por atrito lateral. A partir dos dados obtidos, procedeu-se uma análise da influência da pressão de sucção, da inundação do terreno e do intervalo de tempo entre a escavação e os outros dois, concretados logo após a etapa de escavação. Observou-se que a sucção tem um efeito importante no comportamento dos tubulões a céu aberto: com o aumento da sucção maiores se tornam as resistências de base e por atrito lateral. Consequentemente, a influência do colapso apresenta-se mais significativa com o aumento da pressão de sucção. / This work presents results of static load tests, in large diameter bored piles, with measurements of soil moisture content in an unsatured collapsible soil, considered as representative of the middle - west region of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Ten load tests were performed at Foundation Experimental Field of the EESC/USP, with and without wetting of the pit and the with quick maintained load (QML). In the large diameter bored piles were introduction, between the base and the shaft, an layer of \"isopor\", to separate the skin friction and the base resistance, during the static load tests. The gathered data allowed an assessment of the influence the soil suction, of the soil soaking and the effect between excavation and concrete in the behaviour these isolate elements of foundation.

Apresenta-se o conceito de elemento isolado de fundação em tubulão, e analisa-se 10 provas de carga dinâmica de energia crescente, nos tubulões, considerando as provas de carga estática realizadas anteriormente nos mesmos. Os ensaios são realizados em tubulões a céu aberto, situados em maciço de solo da formação Rio Claro e Itaqueri, no campo experimental de fundações da USP/EESC. As análises baseiam-se em curvas de resistência x deslocamento e gráficos que mostram a evolução da resistência mobilizada com o aumento da energia aplicada, resultantes dos impactos do ensaio dinâmico de energia crescente (metodologia PDA e análises CAPWAP). Analisam-se também a influência da pré-inundação e da variação da sucção do maciço de solos nos ensaios dinâmicos, o efeito do reensaio e a variabilidade nos resultados de ensaios de investigação geotécnica (SPT e CPT), realizados no campo experimental. Os resultados das provas de carga dinâmica de energia crescente mostram que a resposta do sistema isolado de fundação em tubulão é diferente a cada nível de energia aplicada e que a história de carregamento do elemento isolado de fundação é de extrema importância para análise dos ensaios nele realizado. / The concept of an isolated foundation element in large diameter bored pile is presented and 10 dynamic loading tests with increased energy are analysed. The interpretation of the dynamic loading tests has been proceeded with due consideration of the results of static loading tests performed previously. The loading tests have been carried out in large diameter bored piles founded in Rio Claro and Itaqueri soil formation, situated in the experimental foundation field of USP/EESC. The analyses are based on resistance x displacement curves and selected graphics illustrating the development of mobilized resistance with increasing applied energy during a dynamic loading test (PDA methodology and CAPWAP type analysis). The influence of previous inundation in soil mass and suction variation are also analysed, as well as the effect of test repetition and variability in SPT and CPT results. The results obtained with the dynamic loading tests with increasing energy revealed a distinct behaviour of the isolated foundation system for each level of applied energy, showing that the loading history is an aspect of extreme relevance to an adequate analysis of the dynamic tests perfomed.

Otto Scheeloch's U.S. Patent No. 134,442 of 1872 describes a unique firearm that uses triangular bullets. The current research effort evaluates the ballistic performance of Otto's disclosure for the very first time. To achieve this goal it was necessary to seek out surviving artifacts and scour the historical record in search of all the parameters needed to meticulously recreate the curious triangular cartridges and the corresponding gun barrel, with its matching twisted triangular bore. Every aspect of the resulting reproduction ammunition was made to be as authentic as possible, including the use of vintage civil war era bullet lead, bullet grease of period recipe, and the correct type of black powder propellant. 3D CAD (SolidWorksTM) was employed in designing the components, while advanced rapid prototyping (FDM & DMLS) techniques and investment casting were used in the physical construction of the ammunition and barrel. The ballistics testing was performed from a shooting rest over a range of 10-feet. Data was obtained for five rounds using a chronograph, paper targets and ballistic gel. The triangular bullets proved to be surprisingly accurate, consistent, and stable in flight. Data was recorded for sectional density, ballistic coefficient, muzzle velocity and energy, group size and penetration.

Este trabalho apresenta resultados de provas de carga em tubulões a céu aberto, com o monitoramento do teor de umidade através do processo de tradagem, a cada metro, até uma profundidade de 9,0 m, em um maciço de solo não-saturado e colapsível, representativo da região centro-oeste do interior do Estado de São Paulo. Ao todo, realizaram-se dez provas de carga, no Campo Experimental de Fundações da EESC/USP, com e sem inundação do terreno, com carregamento do fuste, foram introduzidas placas de isopor (E.P.S) a fim de, durante a realização dos ensaios, obter separadamente as parcelas de resistência de base e por atrito lateral. A partir dos dados obtidos, procedeu-se uma análise da influência da pressão de sucção, da inundação do terreno e do intervalo de tempo entre a escavação e os outros dois, concretados logo após a etapa de escavação. Observou-se que a sucção tem um efeito importante no comportamento dos tubulões a céu aberto: com o aumento da sucção maiores se tornam as resistências de base e por atrito lateral. Consequentemente, a influência do colapso apresenta-se mais significativa com o aumento da pressão de sucção. / This work presents results of static load tests, in large diameter bored piles, with measurements of soil moisture content in an unsatured collapsible soil, considered as representative of the middle - west region of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Ten load tests were performed at Foundation Experimental Field of the EESC/USP, with and without wetting of the pit and the with quick maintained load (QML). In the large diameter bored piles were introduction, between the base and the shaft, an layer of \"isopor\", to separate the skin friction and the base resistance, during the static load tests. The gathered data allowed an assessment of the influence the soil suction, of the soil soaking and the effect between excavation and concrete in the behaviour these isolate elements of foundation.

The thesis called The Design of Nedašova Lhota Landslide Securing concentrates on the basic analysis of the problems connected with landslides and safety factors needed for the slopes stability. At the same time it presents a concrete solution to the given practical task, where the slope stability, the causes leading to the landslide and the subsequent redevelopment in view of financial requirements are discussed.

This thesis deals with the foundation of multifunctional building in Karlovy Vary. The aim of this thesis is to design a safe, economical and functional solutions for sheeting underground floors of the building and design of foundation structures.

This diploma thesis describes the design and static assessment carried shoring excavation pit for the construction of a multifunctional building in Brno Husovice. Introductory part summarizes the basic input information on the area of interest, including outputs of engineering-geological survey and gives an overview of the options pits. The main part describes the design and assessment of selected variant of shoring, the subsequent evaluation of the results and the technological progress of construction. The proposed design is complemented by structural calculations and construction plans.