A method for locating a termite mound of a dam termite

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of earth and rock dam maintenance and repair, in particular to a dam termite nest positioning method. The method comprises the following steps: step 1, marking lines are made in parallel to the saturation line and at a certain interval above the saturation line on the dam backwater slope until the dam top; step 2, marking lines are made at a certain interval and perpendicularly to the saturation line above the saturation line on one side of the dam until the other side of the dam; step 3, holes are drilled at the intersection positions of the marking lines at a certain hole depth; and step 4, a detection tool is used to go deep into the holes to determine whether there is a termite nest inside. After a termite nest is detected, the queen and king termites are removed by grouting or nest digging. Since the soil-dwelling termites cannot replenish the queen and king termites, the workers, soldiers, larvae, eggs and other castes in the group will die in a short time after the queen and king termites are removed, so that the purpose of completely curing the dam termite damage is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of earth and rock embankment maintenance and repair technology, specifically to a method for locating termite nests in embankments. Background Technology

[0002] Earth-rock dams are a common type of dam in water conservancy projects. Composed of a large amount of earth and rock materials, they undertake important tasks such as flood control, irrigation, and power generation. However, due to the inherent perishability of earth and rock materials, and the influence of natural environment and external factors, the maintenance and repair of dams become crucial.

[0003] Termites are a common problem in the maintenance and repair of dams. Termites are insects that feed on wood and other organic materials, and their activity can damage the structure and stability of dams. To avoid this, it is necessary to detect and treat termite nests promptly.

[0004] However, traditional methods for locating termite nests have certain limitations. For example,

[0005] 1. Locate termite nests using termite markers, such as termite mushrooms, carbon rods, swarming holes, ventilation holes, and termite trails / covers.

[0006] 1.1 Termitomyces albuminosus (Termitomyces mushroom): Termitomyces albuminosus is a live ant nest indicator. It grows from June to September each year and does not grow at other times. Moreover, it can only grow in some ant nests. Therefore, this method of locating ant nests has the disadvantages of time limitation and incomplete nest location.

[0007] 1.2. Carbon rod bacteria: Carbon rod bacteria are indicators of dead termite nests, but they cannot locate living termite nests and have no practical significance for the prevention and control of existing live termite damage.

[0008] 1.3 Swarming holes and ventilation holes. From May to July each year, mature reproductive ants may swarm, and swarming holes will appear on the ground. After finding the swarming holes, mark them and dig up the ant nest. The swarming holes and ventilation holes are generally 3-5 meters away from the nest. The digging distance is relatively long and causes great damage to the dam structure.

[0009] 1.4. Tracking the main termite trail by following the termite surface trails or digging trenches to intercept the trail is difficult to estimate the distance to the termite nest. It involves a large amount of work, high labor intensity, and carries the risk of losing the target. It also causes significant damage to the dam structure.

[0010] 2. Physical Detection Methods

[0011] 2.1 Geophysical methods applicable to ant nest detection in dams include seismic wave methods (shallow seismic methods), high-density resistivity methods, ground-penetrating radar, and transient electromagnetic methods. However, the physical properties of dam soil are affected by various factors, such as soil compaction, moisture content, and soil type. Furthermore, the use of locally sourced materials during dam construction, including bricks, stones, fly ash, and some plastic and metal products, inevitably leads to the inclusion of these materials in the dam structure. Consequently, the detection methods described above may yield multiple solutions for identifying ant nests in dams, making accurate judgments difficult. Additionally, the detection effectiveness of various methods requires further verification and research.

[0012] 2.2. Ant Nest Locating by Cone Probe. This method involves two approaches: using a cone probe machine and manual cone probing. The cone probe machine consists of four parts: a cone frame, a pushing structure, a hammer clamping structure, and a power unit. The total weight of the equipment is approximately 600 kg. It is positioned on the top of the dike to drill holes for nest finding. This equipment is heavy and requires high skill, and its detection range is limited to the top of the dike. Manual cone probing involves several operators (usually a group of 3-5 people) simultaneously and forcefully drilling holes into the dike. The operators must exert very concentrated and even force; this method is labor-intensive and requires high physical fitness from the operators.

[0013] Therefore, a more accurate and convenient method for locating termite nests in dikes is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0014] (a) Technical problems to be solved

[0015] This invention addresses the above-mentioned problems by proposing a method for locating termite nests in dikes. The purpose is to solve the difficulties in termite control, nest location, and nest digging in dikes.

[0016] (II) Technical Solution

[0017] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a method for locating termite nests in dikes, comprising the following steps:

[0018] Step 1: Above the seepage line on the back slope of the dam, mark lines parallel to the seepage line at certain intervals, all the way to the top of the dam;

[0019] Step 2: Mark lines at regular intervals above and perpendicular to the seepage line on one side of the dam, until you reach the other side of the dam;

[0020] Step 3: Drill a hole at a certain depth at the intersection of the marked lines;

[0021] Step 4: Use a detection tool to penetrate the hole and determine if there is an ant nest inside.

[0022] Furthermore, step 3 also includes: recording the differences of each borehole; identifying boreholes with significant differences by comparing the differences among the boreholes, and using a detection tool to probe into the boreholes with significant differences.

[0023] Furthermore, the steps for comparing the differences between the various boreholes include:

[0024] Record the soil density information for each borehole;

[0025] Compare the soil density of each borehole to identify areas where the density is significantly lower than the surrounding area;

[0026] Verify if this is the location of the ant nest.

[0027] Furthermore, the steps to identify areas where the soil density significantly decreases compared to the surrounding soil by comparing the soil density of each borehole include:

[0028] Drill holes according to steps 1-3, and take soil samples at five depths in each hole: 0.4 meters, 0.8 meters, 1.2 meters, 1.6 meters, and 2 meters.

[0029] Soil density was measured for each soil sample to obtain soil density values ​​at various depths.

[0030] For soil samples at the same depth, calculate the average soil density of each borehole and compare it with the average of other surrounding boreholes to identify areas with significant decreases.

[0031] Mark the areas where the density drops significantly, and use the detection tools in step 4 to determine whether the area is the location of the ant nest.

[0032] Furthermore, analysis of variance is used to determine the significance of borehole variability. The specific steps are as follows:

[0033] Determine the soil density information for the different boreholes to be compared, and determine the number of repetitions required at each factor level;

[0034] Data was collected according to the designed experimental plan, and information on the depth, soil condition, soil moisture and soil density of each borehole was obtained.

[0035] Calculate the variance of each factor level and then calculate the variance of the population.

[0036] Divide the between-group variance by the within-group variance to obtain the F-value;

[0037] Based on the set significance level, the corresponding F critical value is obtained by looking up the table; if the calculated F value is greater than the F critical value, it indicates that there is a significant difference between the data groups.

[0038] Furthermore, the steps for comparing the differences between the boreholes also include recording the depth, soil condition, and soil moisture information for each borehole.

[0039] Furthermore, the detection tool is an endoscope.

[0040] Furthermore, the tool used to mark the lines was lime.

[0041] Furthermore, the tool used for drilling was an air drill.

[0042] Furthermore, after locating the termite nest, the queen and king termites are removed by grouting or digging up the nest.

[0043] (III) Beneficial Effects

[0044] Compared with existing technologies, the present invention provides a method for locating termite nests in dams. By marking lines above the seepage line on the back slope of the dam and drilling and probing at the intersection of the marked lines, the location of termite nests in the dam can be quickly and efficiently located, avoiding blind excavation and damage to the dam structure. Using marked lines parallel and perpendicular to the seepage line as references can ensure the accuracy and precision of drilling and probing. This method is simple to operate, requiring only simple marked lines and probing tools, without the need for complex equipment, making it easy to operate and implement. Attached Figure Description

[0045] Figure 1 This is a drilling diagram illustrating a method for locating termite nests in a dam, as disclosed in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0047] like Figure 1 This invention provides a method for locating termite nests in dikes, comprising the following steps:

[0048] Step 1: Above the seepage line on the back slope of the dam, mark lines parallel to the seepage line at certain intervals, all the way to the top of the dam.

[0049] Before locating the ant nest, marking lines need to be made at regular intervals (e.g., every 2 meters) along the length of the dam, above the seepage line on the leeward slope, all the way to the top of the dam. These marking lines should be parallel to the seepage line to facilitate subsequent work. The purpose of this step is to ensure reliable reference points at different locations on the dam, facilitating subsequent operations.

[0050] Step 2: Mark lines at regular intervals above and perpendicular to the seepage line on one side of the dam, until you reach the other side of the dam.

[0051] After completing step 1, marking lines need to be made from above the seepage line on one side of the dike, perpendicular to the seepage line, at regular intervals (e.g., every 1 meter), until reaching the other side of the dike. These marking lines should intersect with the marking lines from step 1, forming a series of grids. The purpose of this step is to determine a precise search area to facilitate subsequent ant nest detection.

[0052] Step 3: Drill a hole at a certain depth at the intersection of the marked lines.

[0053] After determining the search area, a hole needs to be drilled at each intersection of the marked lines, at a certain depth (e.g., 2 meters at each intersection). Drilling holes at each intersection of the marked lines can improve the accuracy of ant nest detection.

[0054] Step 4: Use a detection tool to penetrate the hole and determine if there is an ant nest inside.

[0055] Specifically, steps 1 and 2 can use lime to create visible markings on the embankment surface. These markings help probes locate the boreholes and determine in subsequent steps whether the holes are related to termite nests.

[0056] Furthermore, since termite nests in dikes are at risk of being submerged, they are generally built above the seepage line. The main nest is usually 1.0-1.5 meters below the surface, while secondary nests are even shallower. The diameter of a mature main nest can reach more than 1 meter. The termite nests can be found by using the drilling techniques mentioned above and the spacing between the holes, and they are easy to detect with detection tools.

[0057] In step 3 of the above embodiment, the hole depth must be set deep enough to ensure that the drilled hole can penetrate any possible termite tunnels and nests. Simultaneously, drilling at the intersection of the lime lines aims to get as close as possible to the possible location of the termite nest.

[0058] After completing step 3, specialized detection tools, such as seismic probes, sonar, and endoscopes, are needed to penetrate the hole and determine if an termite nest is present. If a termite nest is found, it needs to be dealt with promptly to avoid impacting the safety of the dam. For example, the termite queen and king can be removed by grouting or excavating the nest. Because soil-dwelling termites do not have a replacement queen and king, removing the queen and king will cause the worker termites, soldier termites, larvae, and eggs in the colony to die within a short time, thus eradicating the termite infestation on the dam. If no termite nest is found, the hole can be filled in, and the next location can be detected.

[0059] Generally, drilling only at the intersection of lime lines may miss other potential ant nests, especially when the spacing between drill holes is large, making the location inaccurate. Therefore, in step 3, the differences between each drill hole can be recorded; by comparing the differences between the drill holes, the holes with the largest differences can be identified, and a detection tool can be used to probe into the holes with the largest differences.

[0060] In some embodiments, the location of the ant nest can be further determined by recording drilling information and comparing the differences between each drilling hole: according to the above scheme, the differences of each drilling hole are recorded; by comparing the differences of each drilling hole, the drilling holes with larger differences are identified, and a detection tool is used to probe into the drilling holes with larger differences.

[0061] For example, changes in soil density can be used to locate termite nests. Termites typically build their nests underground to protect them from predators and climate change. When building their nests, they select areas of the surrounding soil with high water content, which are relatively loose, and use these areas to construct chambers and tunnels. As termites build their nests, they alter the density and water content of the surrounding soil. The soil beneath the nest is typically compressed and compacted, while the soil around the nest remains relatively loose. Therefore, the soil density near the termite nest is lower than the surrounding soil density.

[0062] Based on the above method, the location of the ant nest is determined by measuring changes in soil density. The specific steps are as follows:

[0063] 1. Above the seepage line on the back slope of the embankment, use lime to mark a line parallel to the embankment at 1-meter intervals, continuing up to the top of the embankment. This is to create a reference line for subsequent measurements and comparisons.

[0064] 2. Starting from one side of the embankment, above the seepage line, sprinkle lime along a line perpendicular to the seepage line at 1-meter intervals, continuing to the other side of the embankment. This is to create a reference line perpendicular to the seepage line, intersecting with the reference line created in the first step, facilitating subsequent measurements and comparisons.

[0065] 3. At the intersection of the lime lines (i.e., the intersection of the lime lines mentioned above), drill a hole to a depth of 2 meters. Drilling this hole allows you to obtain soil density information; measurements can be taken at different depths to obtain more comprehensive data.

[0066] 4. Record the soil density information for each borehole. This information can be compiled into a table or map for easy comparison and analysis later.

[0067] 5. Compare the soil density of each borehole and identify areas where the density is significantly lower than the surrounding area. These areas may be the location of the ant nest.

[0068] 6. After locating the ant nest, equipment such as endoscopes can be used for further exploration and discovery. Endoscopes can be drilled into the ground to capture images, helping to determine the location and size of the ant nest.

[0069] In the above steps, using soil density measurement to locate the ant nest does not require large-scale excavation and destruction of the land, so it will not have a significant impact on the surrounding environment and ecology. Drilling to measure soil density can obtain more in-depth and comprehensive information than surface observation, thus locating the ant nest more accurately. Compared with traditional observation and detection methods, using soil density measurement to locate the ant nest can save time and labor costs and improve work efficiency.

[0070] In the specific operation of the above scheme, the soil density of each borehole can be compared according to the following steps to identify areas where ant nests may exist:

[0071] 1. Drilling and sampling: Drill holes according to steps 1-3, and take soil samples at five depths in each hole: 0.4 meters, 0.8 meters, 1.2 meters, 1.6 meters, and 2 meters.

[0072] 2. Determine soil density: Determine the soil density of each soil sample to obtain the soil density value at each depth;

[0073] 3. Compare soil density: For soil samples at the same depth, calculate the average soil density of each borehole and compare it with the average of other surrounding boreholes to identify areas with significant decreases.

[0074] 4. Verify the location of the ant nest: Mark the areas where the density drops significantly and verify them further, such as by using endoscopic detection as described in step 4, to determine whether the area is the location of the ant nest.

[0075] A significant decrease in density refers to a situation where the soil density at a certain depth in adjacent boreholes is significantly lower than the average soil density at the same depth in surrounding boreholes. To determine whether this difference is significant, analysis of variance (ANOVA) can be used. If the difference is significant, it can be preliminarily determined that the area may be the location of an ant nest.

[0076] The specific steps for using analysis of variance to determine the significance of borehole variability are as follows:

[0077] Determine the soil density information for the different boreholes to be compared, and determine the number of repetitions required at each factor level;

[0078] Data was collected according to the designed experimental plan, and information on the depth, soil condition, soil moisture and soil density of each borehole was obtained.

[0079] Calculate the variance of each factor level and then calculate the variance of the population.

[0080] Divide the between-group variance by the within-group variance to obtain the F-value;

[0081] Based on the set significance level, the corresponding F critical value is obtained by looking up the table; if the calculated F value is greater than the F critical value, it indicates that there is a significant difference between the data groups.

[0082] It's important to note that the F-value, or variance ratio, is a statistic used to compare the variance differences between two or more samples or treatment groups. In analysis of variance (ANOVA), the formula for calculating the F-value is between-group mean square / within-group mean square. The between-group mean square is the sum of the squared differences between each group's mean and the population mean, divided by the number of groups - 1. The within-group mean square is the sum of the squared differences between each individual's data point and the group mean, divided by the total number of individuals minus the number of groups. The magnitude of the F-value determines whether there are significant variance differences between the samples or treatment groups. A larger F-value indicates a more significant difference between groups, and vice versa. The F-value can also be used to assess the goodness of fit of multiple regression models.

[0083] The process of locating an ant nest involves multiple factors, such as drilling location, drilling depth, and detection tools. These factors can have different levels, meaning different value ranges or different settings. For example, drilling location can have different levels, such as drilling at different locations on a dam, thus creating different levels of the factor of drilling location. Similarly, drilling depth can have different levels, such as drilling at different depths, thus creating different levels of the factor of drilling depth. Detection tools can also have different levels, such as stress wave, ultrasonic, infrared thermal imaging, X-ray imaging, or endoscopy, thus creating different levels of the factor of detection tools.

[0084] When determining factor levels, it is necessary to set them according to the actual situation and determine the number of experimental repetitions required at different levels based on the experimental objectives and requirements. For example, for the factor of detection tools, different tools can be selected as different levels, and then the number of experimental repetitions required at each level can be determined according to the experimental objectives and requirements to ensure the reliability and statistical significance of the experimental results.

[0085] Preferably, an air drill is used for drilling. Air drills are small, portable, and easy to operate; the borehole diameter is small (12mm), causing minimal or no damage to the dam structure. Compared to geophysical methods such as seismic wave methods (shallow seismic methods), high-density resistivity methods, ground-penetrating radar, transient electromagnetic methods, and cone probing for termite nests, this method requires less equipment, significantly reducing costs. It also has lower technical difficulty and a 100% accuracy rate in locating termite nests. After locating the nest, vertical excavation leads directly to it. Compared to techniques such as using swarm holes, ventilation holes, ant trail digging, and cone probing, this method greatly reduces workload and difficulty, minimizing damage to the dam structure. Due to these advantages, this method can also be used for locating soil-dwelling termite nests in landscaping and greening projects.

[0086] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for locating termite nests in dikes, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: Above the seepage line on the back slope of the dam, mark lines parallel to the seepage line at certain intervals, all the way to the top of the dam; Step 2: Mark lines at regular intervals above and perpendicular to the seepage line on one side of the embankment, until you reach the other side of the embankment; Step 3: Drill a hole at a certain depth at the intersection of the marked lines; Step 4: Use a detection tool to penetrate the hole and determine if there is an ant nest inside; Step 3 also includes: recording the differences of each borehole; by comparing the differences of each borehole, identifying the boreholes with larger differences, and using a detection tool to probe the boreholes with larger differences. The steps for comparing the differences between the various boreholes include: Record the soil density information for each borehole; Compare the soil density of each borehole to identify areas where the density is significantly lower than the surrounding area; Verify if this is the location of the ant nest; The specific steps for using analysis of variance to determine the significance of borehole variability are as follows: Determine the soil density information for the different boreholes to be compared, and determine the number of repetitions required at each factor level; Data was collected according to the designed experimental plan, and information on the depth, soil condition, soil moisture and soil density of each borehole was obtained. Calculate the variance of each factor level and then calculate the variance of the population. Divide the between-group variance by the within-group variance to obtain the F-value; Based on the set significance level, the corresponding F critical value is obtained by looking up the table; if the calculated F value is greater than the F critical value, it indicates that there is a significant difference between the data groups.

2. The method for locating termite nests in a dam as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The steps to identify areas where the soil density is significantly lower than the surrounding soil by comparing the soil density of each borehole include: Drill holes according to steps 1-3, and take soil samples at five depths in each hole: 0.4 meters, 0.8 meters, 1.2 meters, 1.6 meters, and 2 meters. Soil density was measured for each soil sample to obtain soil density values ​​at various depths. For soil samples at the same depth, calculate the average soil density of each borehole and compare it with the average of other surrounding boreholes to identify areas with significant decreases. Mark the areas where the density drops significantly, and use the detection tools in step 4 to determine whether the area is the location of the ant nest.

3. The method for locating termite nests in a dam as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The steps for comparing the differences between the boreholes also include recording the depth, soil condition, and soil moisture information for each borehole.

4. The method for locating termite nests in a dam as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The detection tool is an endoscope.

5. The method for locating termite nests in a dam as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The tool used to mark the lines was lime.

6. The method for locating termite nests in a dam as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The tool used for drilling was an air drill.

7. A method for locating termite nests in a dike as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, After locating the termite nest, the queen and king termites are removed by grouting or digging up the nest.

Images