Field trial geophysical and drilling works to study geometry, state and properties of hidden foundations

Today, most Russian enterprises operate in the plants built in the Soviet era. Therefore, there is a need to assess the condition of workshops with the aim of their further reconstruction. The purpose of the present study is to assess the condition of the load-bearing structures of the chemical plant building including underground foundations. Conducted test pits of some underground reinforced concrete structures of the load-bearing part of the building under study revealed a discrepancy between the actual geometric parameters of the structures and their design characteristics (according to the design documents). Not to stop the production while studying the condition of the supporting structure in the form of hidden foundations, geophysical methods were used in combination with drilling with a small-sized rig and subsequent core sam pling of foundation. High density of above-ground technological equipment, the presence of electrical cable channels, drain collectors and other underground utilities were the main challenges of the work.The following geophysical methods were used in experimental and methodological works: gradiometering, frequency electromagnetic sounding, electrical resistivity tomography, seismic acoustics and ground penetrating radar sounding. Drilling with a 96 mm diameter diamond core bit with a removable core receiver ensures almost 100 % core recovery with minimal deformation of the supporting structure. As a result of the work performed, the geometric parameters of the underground supports were determined using ground penetrating radar and electrical resistivity tomography data, foundation samples were collected and their physical and mechanical properties were determined, which allowed to identify the concrete grade.

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