Guideline for Interpretation of

Nondestructive Integrity Testing of

Augered Cast-In-Place and Drilled
Displacement Piles
Presented by:

Tracy Brettmann, P.E., D.GE

Berkel & Company Contractors, Inc.

Other Key Relevant Publications

Augered Cast-in-Place Pile Manual (DFI, 2003)
Inspectors Guide for Augered Cast-in-Place Piles
(DFI, 2010)
Manual for Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation of
Drilled Shafts (DFI, 2004)
Nondestructive Testing of Deep Foundations,
Textbook by Hertlein and Davis (2006)

Purpose
The intent of this guideline is to provide practical
guidance for the proper interpretation of NDT results
on ACIP and DD piles.
NDT of deep foundations can generally be divided
into two categories:
(1) low strain or nuclear radiation methods which
evaluate integrity, and
(2) high strain methods which primarily evaluate
capacity as well as pile integrity.
This guideline focuses on the evaluation of integrity
using low strain methods.

NDT Controversy
Many methods and versions available
Experiences with NDT have ranged from very good
to complete failure
Reliability of methods have been questioned
NDT practitioners are unwilling (or unable) to make
quantitative judgements
NDT can create more questions than answers in
some cases
Need Analysis Collateral to properly interpret NDT
results

ACIP and DD Piles Unique Properties

Large length to diameter ratio (>30)
High component of capacity in skin friction
Pumping grout under pressure through layered soils
produces multiple changes in cross-sectional area
(bulges)
These properties limit the applicability of certain
types of NDT methods

Impulse Echo (Sonic Echo)

Testing from the pile top with a hammer impact

Generally limited to an L/D ratio <30
Cannot detect small (<1 ft) defects
Difficult to distinguish between bulges and necking
Difficult to interpret without a clear toe reflection

Impulse Echo (PIT or PET)

Impulse Echo (PIT)

Figure courtesy of
Pile Dynamics Inc

Records Can Be Difficult to Distinguish

A
B

C
Example test results created using the wave propagation
simulation computer program PileWave

Simulated Response A - Bulge

Simulated Response B - Bulge

Simulated Response C - Neck

Sonic Logging
Crosshole for large piles and singlehole for small
(<24 inch) piles
Developed to overcome sonic echo limitations
Access tubes must be installed in piles
Potential for debonding between PVC and grout is a
problem
Typical testing rate is 1 to 10%

SSL Set-Up and Sonic Log

Berkel&Company

Sonic Logging

Interpretation of Results

Gather Analysis Collateral

Evaluation of detailed pile installation records
Evaluation of soil and groundwater conditions
Evaluation of NDT results

Analysis Collateral
Additional information that makes analysis and
interpretation of nondestructive deep foundation
integrity test data easier and more effective.
(Hertlein 2009 ASCE GSP No. 185)
This step should be done prior to performing any
testing.

Geotechnical exploration reports

Foundation design drawings and calculations
Contractors construction records
Field Inspectors notes and detailed pile installation records
Automated monitoring equipment (AME) data
Concrete or grout mix design
Reinforcing cage and/or center bar design, as well as centralizing system
Concrete or grout delivery tickets
Superintendents daily notes
Grout or concrete strength test results
Pile installation sequencing
Post-grouting installation completion procedures.

Evaluation of Pile Installation Records

Data from AME
Typical systems measure (1) time and depth during drilling, and
(2) time, depth, grout volume, and grout pressure during grouting
AME provides both the operator and inspector (1) a real time
graph of the process to monitor during installation, (2) a hard
copy printout of the data, and (3) a digital record that is stored on
a computer for later review and analysis

Manual Observation Techniques

Monitoring of the grouting phase of the pile installation process is
generally considered to be the most important aspect of the
quality control process.
This involves recording the volume of grout pumped to develop
the initial grout head and the volume pumped in discrete
increments along the pile.

Evaluation of Soil and Groundwater Conditions

Soil conditions affect the final shape and therefore the
evaluation of ACIP piles
A change in soil conditions may result in the change from a
bulge to a return to nominal area
This typically produces a positive reflection at that depth in the
impulse echo test, which can be misinterpreted as a neck when
in fact it is simply a return to the nominal diameter
Understanding which soil layers have the potential for caving
or necking and which do not is essential in evaluating pile head
impact test results.
It is important to understand where (1) the pile section could
not be significantly larger than the nominal pile diameter and
(2) there is a possibility of the presence of either a bulge or a
neck.

Soil Conditions Potential for Caving

1. Loose sands below the water table have a
significant potential for caving or necking to occur
and therefore should be evaluated carefully.
2. The potential for caving or necking in firm to hard
clays and rock is low.
3. The potential for caving or necking is low in
medium dense to very dense sands above the water
table and dense to very dense sands below the
water table.
4. Medium dense sands below the water table have a
moderate potential for caving.
5. Bulging can occur in soft to firm clays and loose to
medium dense sands.

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NDT Results Compared to Soil Conditions

If the conclusions from head impact methods are not
consistent with the soil conditions and groundwater
level, the installation records should be reviewed
carefully to determine if the proper installation
procedures were followed
After a reasonable profile analysis is performed, the
calculated pile volume should be compared to the
actual constructed volume of the pile. If the
calculated volume is not in reasonable agreement
with the actual pile volume, then another analysis
should be performed.

Communication
Prompt analysis and reporting are usually critical to
a successful project
Unless full site information is available immediately
to the tester, the analysis and report may be delayed
or will be based upon limited information until the
previously specified analysis collateral information
has been obtained, reviewed and considered
A report that reaches the contractor and/or Owner
mentioning some anomaly originally found several
weeks earlier is generally disturbing at least, and
highly problematic if the contractor has de-mobilized
from the site

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Anomaly Evaluation
After all the data have been reviewed and analyzed,
any anomalies should be evaluated to determine if
flaws or defects may be present in the pile
The determination of a flaw or defect in a pile should
not be made from the NDT results alone
Since NDT results can be misinterpreted, there
should always be some corroborating evidence that
would produce those results in the pile

Impulse Echo Evaluation Guidelines

Classification of Result
Good pile, clear toe

Comment
Acceptablepile

LongpilepotentiallytoolongforNDTtestcapability,high
pileresistancelimitstestingdepth,and/ormajorbulges
No defect apparent, no toe arepresent Maybeanacceptablepilesubjecttoreview
ofinstallationrecords
signal

Probableflawatdepthx,
toeapparent
Probabledefectatdepthx,
notoesignal
Inconclusiverecord

Seesectionbelowregardingevaluationandremediation
optionsforflaws
Seesectionbelowregardingevaluationandremediation
optionsfordefects
FurtherdiscussionwithNDTpractitionerisrequiredas
wellaspotentiallyotherNDTtestingtechniques

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Sonic Logging Evaluation Guidelines

VELOCITY
REDUCTION,
VR(%)

SIGNAL
DISTORTION/STRENGTH

CONCRETE RATING

010

None/normal
energyreduction6dB

Good(G)

1020

>20

NoSignal

~60

INDICATED CONDITIONS

Acceptablequality
concrete

Minor/lower
Minorcontamination,
energyreduction6.1to9 Questionable(Q) intrusion,orquestionable
dB
qualityconcrete
Contamination,intrusion
Severe/muchlower
Poor/defect(P/D) and/orpoorquality
energyreduction>9dB
concrete
Intrusionorseveredefect;
None
NoSignal(NS) couldalsobecausedby
tubedebonding
Severe/muchlower
energyreduction>12dB

Water(W)

Waterintrusionorwater
filledgravelintrusionwith
fewornofines

Summary
When data from integrity tests on deep foundations
indicate the presence of an anomaly, the analyst
should follow a three-step process
1. Confirm that the test was performed in accordance with
applicable standards
2. Once it has been verified that the anomaly is an irregularity in
the foundation, its significance must be evaluated
3. The geotechnical engineer should review the pile design
parameters to assess the likely effect of the irregularity of the
pile

The impact of the anomaly should be evaluated by

the pertinent design-construction team members
including the NDT practitioner, the geotechnical
engineer, the structural engineer, and the piling
contractor

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