April 2022
A New Method for Non-Destructive Integrity Testing of Drilled Shafts and Micropiles Using Hollow Rebars
Con-Tech Systems Ltd., developer and supplier of innovative systems and materials for the geotechnical industry, has developed a system, using a hollow rebar to eliminate the problems experienced in Cross-hole Sonic Logging (CSL) due to debonding of the smooth entry tubes with the concrete. The hollow rebar system, originally introduced by Con-Tech Systems in North America, for Grout Injection bored IBO® Soil Nails and Micropiles, turned out to be an ideal hollow rebar, to solve the above-mentioned debonding problem. As an additional bonus, tests have shown that replacing standard rebars with the hollow rebars used for CSL, will produce a much more rigid and stiffer rebar cage, making the handling and placing into the drilled hole faster and safer. As an additional bonus, they can be used for post grouting the base or tip of drilled shafts.
GTC Successfully Investigates Long Term Settlement of Large Oil Tanks
Middle East has one of the largest numbers of flexible steel oil storage tanks worldwide. Commonly, tank foundations are seated on well compacted layer of crushed rock, which is laid above a relatively thick layer of medium dense to dense fine calcareous sand. It has been typically observed for several cases that settlements below the annular edge plate below the tank shell increase after a period of 10-years of tank operation; the differential settlement exceeded the acceptable limits, and re-furnishment of the foundation became necessary. We believe it could be linked to soil creep, mostly accumulated because of the cycles of loading/unloading during tank service life operation. GTC undertook a comprehensive geotechnical investigation, including laboratory simulation experiments, to verify the hypotheses and to understand the settlement mechanism. Our findings were published in the Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, Vol 208. Springer. 
Introducing New Plasticizer and Anti-Clay Technologies 
Master Builders Solutions is focused on addressing the needs of foundation engineering & construction professionals. The MasterRoc® product line includes solutions for ground improvement, including the new MasterRoc® GE 16 admixture. This liquid plasticizing chemistry provides a new level of workability and strength enhancement for deep soil mixing and jet grouting applications, producing more uniform densities and higher final strengths. In addition, MasterRoc® GE 50 liquid anti-clay polymer is designed to reduce clogging and adhesion in clayey soils. Our team of chemical specialists is committed to helping maximize performance and increase your production rates.
Using Steel Sheet Piles as Permanent Bridge Abutments Can Reduce Construction Time and Cost 
Nucor Skyline has partnered with Michael Baker International to compile this technical manual that explores the advantages of using steel sheet piles for bridge abutments. Sheet pile abutments exhibit numerous advantages over conventional reinforced concrete abutments. In situations where an older bridge is to be replaced, the use of a sheet pile abutment may reduce or eliminate the need for the costly shoring phases of construction. Sheet pile abutments have a significant cost advantage by reducing excavation needs and construction time. In this era of emerging technologies associated with accelerated bridge construction (ABC), steel sheet pile abutments can play an important role. Sheet pile bridge abutments are strong and durable, and have a life span of up to 100 years, depending on the conditions, once coated with coal tar epoxy.

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