Graduation Year

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.S.C.E.

Degree Name

MS in Civil Engineering (M.S.C.E.)

Degree Granting Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Major Professor

Gray Mullins, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Tristen Mee, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Michael J. Stokes, Ph.D.

Keywords

Density, Drilled Shafts, Drilling Fluids, Sand Content, Viscosity

Abstract

Deep foundations are a critical piece of infrastructure used in bridge and high-rise constructions. A type of deep foundation called a drilled shaft is commonly used for these types of large structures due to their ability to resist large axial and lateral loads. Excavations in many soils require hole stabilization methods often involving drilling fluids like polymer or bentonite slurries. When used properly, these slurries prevent groundwater intrusion and side wall sloughing into the excavation. Slurry specifications are set by local or state jurisdictions, research findings, or product manufacturers. Over the years, the Florida standard specifications on slurry integrity testing have been changed to allow testing on larger intervals, decreasing the amount of testing done. The current field-testing methods for slurry properties require removing a sample of slurry from the excavation and testing per standardized testing procedures. Removing and testing samples is time consuming and has led to the development of downhole devices to measure slurry properties in-place. The basis of this research was to improve upon a previously designed downhole slurry device. While this new device uses the same concepts as the previous device, the intent was to make it more compact, digital, wireless, and user-friendly. The modernization of the major components of the device contributed heavily to the new device weight and size, making it far easier to lower and remove the device from drilled shaft excavations. An on-board computer incorporates a data acquisition system which provides Bluetooth communications and data transfer.

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