Pile Buck’s interview with MATRIX Construction Products, a leader in the drilling fluids space. Matrix offers three decades of experience in drilling fluids and proprietary approaches to solve drilling issues for their customers. Read the interview.
When the drilling gets tough, BIG-FOOT® gets tougher!
BIG-FOOT® Polymer Slurry has earned the trust of foundation drillers with its consistent, superior performance and ease-of-use in any soil condition. When the drilling gets tough, BIG-FOOT gets tougher.
A drilling superintendent from a large foundation drilling company relays the positive experience he had working with the product, “ BIG-FOOT slurry keeps me and my men safe. We know that BIG-FOOT will hold the hole open so that we can make production. We work hard in this business and when we find a product that is dependable we stick with it”.
On the jobsite, a drilling foreman also shares how they became believers in BIG-FOOT, “It used to be when we were drilling large diameter shafts in gravels and sand with a high water table under slurry, we had to fight the loss of fluid and take shifts all night on the jobsite keeping the level of slurry up so the hole didn’t collaspe. Now we go back to the hotel and get a good night sleep so we work better in the morning”.
The rumors are true, BIG-FOOT really is that good. Contact MATRIX to see BIG-FOOT at your next project.
BIG-FOOT® Polymer Slurry Freeze Protection
Construction drilling using slurry and cold weather don’t mix that well. In the drilling industry when using slurry a number of things can go wrong when the temperature drops below 32°F. The polymer slurry will freeze. Taking a few simple precautions easily prevents damage and equipment failure due to expanding from freezing.
RV Anti-Freeze
Not recommended as the mix ratios for protection from freezing should be 20 to 1. As extreme cold periods and wind chill temperatures decline the mix ratios can be even higher. This equals 1000-1500-gallons required per a 19,000-gallon slurry tank to just slow the freezing. Propylene Glycol is not a permanent anti-freeze. It must be mixed into the water for the best results. This is usually not possible as the slurry is actively being used. It should only be used for inactive equipment where the water or slurry is not drained from the systems. The propylene glycol can be applied onto the Kelly bar to keep it from freezing. Propylene Glycol is red colored and is used for deicing airplanes.
Temperature at 32°F Overnight
Be sure to install air lines within the slurry tanks to bubble the polymer slurry. This keeps the slurry moving and is very effective at preventing the slurry from freezing. Bubblers = 1-inch PVC placed into the tank with slots along the pipe and a closed end. The PVC pipe is weighted down on the bottom of the tank using sections of rebar. An air compressor is hooked into the 1-inch line.
Severe Freezing Temperatures and Wind Chill Protection
A very effective method at preventing polymer slurry from freezing in extreme freezing temperatures within the Frac tanks is an innovative portable heat distribution system that circulates heated fluid through a series of hoses connected to the Thawzall heat zone TCH 250 unit.
Hoses & Valves
The slurry supply lines, and valves can be wrapped with a PowerBlanket to heat with electricity and prevent freezing. Powerblanket can be obtained from farm & Fleet or Northern Tool. Briskheat is another source of thermostat controlled heat tape.
Tarp to Protect BIG-FOOT® Polymer Slurry in Mixing Tank
1. Torpedo Heater. Frostfighter.com Oil/diesel
industrial grade 300,000 btu’s. With a 40-gallon
tank that will run for 10-hours.
2. 12-inch canvas duct pin-lock. To blow heat
from the Heater into the covered tarp.
3. Power source to run the torpedo heater. A good solution is to utilize a light tower.
4. Stakes to hold down the tarp secured with the
guy lines. Make the tarp stakes from #7 rebar.
5. 3/16” nylon rope solid braid to be the guy lines
securing the tarp to the stakes.
Build Enclosure Walls Around Slurry Tanks
Another option on projects is to fully enclose the slurry tanks with a wood and insulated walled structure made from 2x4 wood plywood and panels of insulation. Portable gas heaters are then used within to maintain a warm temperature.
Portable Gas Heater
The use of portable gas heaters can be used to heat the covered valves and fittings on the ends of the slurry tanks.
MATRIX CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS has over 3 decades of experience in drilling fluids and proprietary approaches to drilling issues that offer significant value and operational insight to our clients. BIG-FOOT® slurry technology is the result of 15+ years of research and development by industry experts.
ADSC 2017 National Slurry School
The ADSC hosted their annual Slurry School at the beginning of November in Clearwater, Florida. Professionals in the field of construction and inspection of drilled shaft foundations attended the school to learn about the use of slurry products while drilling.
Attendees participated in various educational presentations and courses throughout the week. The school was concluded with the participants visiting R.W. Harris’s field site to participate in a field day training.
MATRIX’s COO, John Berry, taught in this portion of the slurry school as a field instructor where he trained on slurry testing procedures. Attendees were given a hands-on learning experience by retrieving samples of MATRIX BIG-FOOT® Polymer Slurry and bentonite from the bottom of the shaft and performing test procedures. They also learned about Slurry Test Kits and their components, reading pH levels, the differences in weight between polymer and bentonite slurry, and much more.
After the demonstrations were complete, attendees had the opportunity to speak with all five participating Slurry Suppliers about the products they offer. MATRIX spoke with many about the high-quality polymer, bentonite products, and additives that it provides to the construction drilling industries. Particularly, Caltrans approved BIG-FOOT® Polymer Slurry, which offers unequaled performance in all types of soil conditions.
To discover what all the hype is about and become a believer in BIG-FOOT® Polymer Slurry, see for yourself.
BIG-FOOT® Sighting in the Big Easy
Deep Foundations Institute
42nd Annual Conference
October 2017, New Orleans, Louisiana
This October, MATRIX Construction Products attended the Deep Foundations Institutes 42nd Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. MATRIX participated as an exhibitor among 120 other international and domestic companies. As one of the largest conferences for professionals specializing in the deep foundation industry, this was a great opportunity for MATRIX to display the excellence of its products and leadership in the field to over 1,000 attendees.
Rumor has it BIG-FOOT was spotted numerous times throughout the week and there was even a report of him walking Bourbon Street late at night.
BIG-FOOT sightings have become more frequent, and through word-of-mouth and proof of excellence the popularity is growing. This was evident by the number of attendees that stopped by the MATRIX exhibit booth where COO, John Berry, was present to interact directly with clients.
MATRIX is proud to be a participant in the DFI Conference and we hope to see you all again next year.
BIG-FOOT® Sighting Reported at the Geotechnical Conference in Hershey, PA Nov 4, 2015
At approximately 4pm on November 4, 2015 Attendees of the 28th Central Pennsylvania Geotechnical Conference were witness to another BIG-FOOT sighting. The event, sponsored by ASCE was well attended by over 450 attendees and 35 exhibitors. John Berry, COO of MATRIX Construction Products presented an informational session entitled Polymer Slurry Drilling/Construction Drilling Applications.
In order to gain full utilization of polymer drilling slurry additives it is necessary to become familiar with the types of polymers used to enhance drilling slurry properties. This knowledge allows the end-user to correctly apply a given polymer to meet a specific requirement of the drilling operation.
The objective of the informative session was to acquaint the participants with the proper use of BIG-FOOT® Polymer Slurry as applied to the installation of drilled shafts projects. In addition attendees were introduced to the function of polymer drilling slurry. Demonstrations and hands-on training were provided to demonstrate how MATRIX additives work and how easy BIG-FOOT is to mix.
It is safe to say that even the biggest skeptic left the session a believer. BIG-FOOT is real and we have proof. Click here for more information about this event.
BIG-FOOT Stays Clean
On this 8-ft diameter drilled shaft that was drilled in sand with silt and gravel along the Missouri River, the sonic caliper came out after being lowered to the 164-ft depth cleaner than the Loadtest technician had ever seen before.
BIG-FOOT® SHOWS at IFCEE IN SAN ANTONIO
The International Foundations Congress & Equipment Exposition (IFCEE) held at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa March 16-21, 2015 was a great show for MATRIX Construction Products, (MATRIX). Over 150 exhibitors showcasing new products and technologies within the Foundation Industry attended the event along with more than 3000 attendees including Contractors, equipment manufacturers, Engineers, and university students.
This show was important to MATRIX as this provided an opportunity to display our products and services directly to our customer the Foundation Drilling contractor. The response to MATRIX was overwhelming. Many customers came by the exhibit booth to say that they would be switching to MATRIX from their current provider of polymer slurry. On numerous occasions customers said that they had heard about BIG-FOOT® Polymer Slurry and how well the product performed.
One customer said they heard that the MATRIX formulas had improved all the drilling slurries, additives and chemicals currently available in the market so they gave it a shot. Adding, BIG-FOOT performed so exceptionally they had to cut back the amount they mixed because it yielded so well.
The IFCEE show was a big success for MATRIX. The overall response from contractors expressing they were going to switch to BIG-FOOT demonstrated that the Foundation Drilling contractors are realizing the rumors are true...BIG-FOOT really DOES exist and outperforms the competition.
BIG-FOOT® Bridges the Gap
MATRIX was contacted by a foundation drilling contractor about a bridge project after their original slurry provider had been unsuccessful stabilizing the drilled shafts after 5-months. MATRIX was asked to evaluate the Geology and site conditions and make a recommendation.
BIG-FOOT® Polymer Slurry and M-Booster™ proved to be a winning combination
The customer was in trouble and we were ready for the challenge. MATRIX was given one week to mobilize personnel and equipment and ship product to perform a trial shaft on the beach within close proximity to where the other drilled shafts had failed. MATRIX seized this opportunity, addressed the challenges and succeeded.
The intelligence MATRIX provided helped the drilling contractor recover from cost over-runs as a result of 5-months of poor performance and non-production.
MATRIX was called upon to demonstrate that our slurry methods and procedures could be successful and sound. They were. MATRIX also developed an engineered slurry to the Geology onsite and made the following adjustments and recommendations that resulted in successful operations, helping the contractor get back on track:
1. Shortened top casing
2. Stopped vibrating casing after drilling under slurry started.
3. Adjusted tank circulation to remove dead spots.
4. Improved mixing with proper mixer for proper yield of the polymer and additive.
5. Engineered a slurry recipe based on the Geology.
6. Used Pure 100% active ingredients Matrix products no blended (Smart) products.
7. No caustic chemicals. All products Matrix provides are safe to handle.
8. Instituted the elevated Top casing to provide proper hydrostatic head pressure.
9. Insisted on manning the drilled excavation 24-hr all-night to top off the slurry and prevent cave-in. This resulted in no collapsed holes.
The geology always dictates.
The MATRIX solution resulted in less slurry used and improved cost savings. Applying engineered slurry to the site Geology with competent field support is what we do. Contact MATRIX to see what we can do to help with your next project.