Gunite Shotcrete swimming pool steel

How does a swimming pool expert witness verify the steel placement on a swimming pool that has already been built?

Construction Documentation

Usually, property owners have lots of photographs of their swimming pool while it was under construction.  These are very helpful, even if there is not a ruler or scale in the drawing.

Usually there is an object of a known dimension shown in an image.  From that known object's dimensions, the expert witness can establish a scale for the image.  That image scale is then utilized to judge the proper spacing and placement of the steel reinforcement.

Take lots of high-resolution digital pictures!

Non-Destructive Testing

There are also devices that allow an expert witness to "see" inside the wall.   These radar devices look into the concrete to determine it's placement and depth under the surface.  Think of them as high tech stud finders.

Destructive Testing

Like it sounds, these tests involve destroying small areas of the structure.  These are usually limited to four or six inch diameter borings of the concrete.

Sometimes, a larger area is required to be opened.  These are usually limited to cases when the soils or material under or around the pool are called into question.

In one instance, the side scanning radar indicated one abnormally large diameter piece of reinforcing steel in the shotcrete.  Opening up this area with jackhammers revealed an 3/4 inch black iron gas pipe routed in the soil under the pool.

The pool builder took the shortest path by installing a pipe without any corrosion protection directly under the swimming pool.  After 8 years, the line was already so corroded a pen knife pierced the pipe.

Contact the author, Paolo Benedetti of Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa at: info@aquatictechnology.com or 408-776-8220. Visit his website at: www.aquatictechnology.com. All Contents © Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa, 2013. All rights reserved.