Table of Contents

Page

E-SAXIMETER 1. INTRODUCTION ............................... 1 9. REVIEW………………………………...12

2. OPERATION ...................................... 1 10. SAVE …………………………………..13

2.1 Power....................................... 2
2.2 Keypad……………………….….2 11. OPEN FILE ON COMPUTER……….13
2.3 Startup ..................................... 2
2.4 Setup ....................................... 4 12. NEW PILE NAME…………………….13
2.3.1 . Units ................................... 5
2.3.2 . Pen Increment .................... 5 13 ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
2.3.3 . Edit Notes ........................... 5 FOR OPEN-END DIESEL
2.3.4 . Owner ................................. 5 HAMMERS ....................................... 14
2.3.5 . Date Time ........................... 5 13.1 Inclined (Battered) Pile
2.3.6 . RST Hammer list ................ 6 Driving .. .......................................... 14
2.3.7..Mode…………………………6 13.2 Accuracy ................................ 16
2.3.8..USB Host……………..……..6 13.3 The Last Blow ........................ 17
User’s Manual 14. NORMAL OPERATION ................... 17
3. DATA COLLECTION ......................... 6
July 2011 3.1 Audio Mode ............................. 6
3.2 Manual Mode ........................... 7 15. MAINTENANCE .............................. 17
Pile Dynamics, Inc. 3.3 Pause Mode ............................ 7
3.4 Creating a Driving Log ............. 7 16. WARRANTY .................................... 18
30725 Aurora Road 3.5 Blow Rate ................................ 8
Cleveland, Ohio 44139 USA
4. DISPLAY ........................................... 9

phone: 216-831-6131 5. OUTPUT .......................................... 11

fax: 216-831-0916 6. MEMORY MANAGEMENT .............. 11

email: info@pile.com 7. CONSISTENT OPERATION............ 11

www.pile.com 8. COMMENTS .................................... 12

i ii
1. INTRODUCTION
The E-SAXIMETER electronically (a) detects
a hammer impact by either a sound
recognition circuit or manual keypad input; (b)
counts blows, (c) determines the duration
between consecutive blows, Δt, and converts
this to equivalent Blows Per Minute, BPM; (d)
converts Δt to the stroke (H) of an open end
diesel ram; and (e) determines average
values for display and/or saving.
The conversion from Δt to stroke for open end
diesels is derived from both field observation
and laboratory analysis based on a free fall
assumption with correction for
pre-compression and friction. Comparisons
with field results indicates a ±0.3 feet (±0.1
meter) accuracy. Only open end diesel
hammers have both upward and downward
free fall ram motion and hence only this
hammer type is compatible to the stroke
computation. However, the E-SAXIMETER
can effectively monitor other hammer types by
using the blow rate in “blows per minute”
(BPM) or by energy monitoring with the
proximity switches. The highest
E-SAXIMETER blow rate is 240 BPM. The
user can operate the E-SAXIMETER in either
English or SI (metric) units.
2. OPERATION
2.1 Power
The E-SAXIMETER is powered by
1
rechargeable batteries. Fully charged
batteries should operate the
E-SAXIMETER for at least 12 hours. To
recharge, connect the charger to the power
input on the left edge of the
E-SAXIMETER. Time to fully charge is
approximately 4 hours. To conserve
battery life, switch the power off between
piles or during breaks such as lunch or
when splicing a pile, or place the
E-SAXIMETER in PAUSE.
2.2
Keypad
All keys have a primary function and some
have an additional alternate function.
Alternate functions are colored blue and
selected by first pressing the blue-ALT key
(e.g. to enter the letter “Q” first press the
blue-ALT followed by the “Q” which is on the
same key as “P”).
2.3
Startup
On power up, the E-SAXIMETER gives a brief
welcome screen with version date. A second
screen then briefly allows you to change the
“setup” (Section 2.3). If no action is needed, it
then asks you to enter the pile name and pile
length for the next pile. Normally, you will be
2 3
working on the same site with the same
hammer so no setup change is then required.
The pile name can be any alphanumeric
name. Use the keypad to enter the name
(and the left arrow key to backspace or make
corrections). Generally, you must enter a
unique name for each pile. You are prompted
to enter a new name if the pile name has
already been taken (if you need the same
name, modify the name somewhat: e.g. pile
P3 could be changed to P3A). When the up
arrow key is pressed, a list of current piles is
shown and allows you to append to an
existing file.
If your hammer is different than that shown
place the cursor on HAMMER and press
ENTER. Enter the hammer name HN or
select from list using the up arrow (scroll
through the list with up and down arrows;
press the ID {1 to 6} for the 18
preprogrammed Delmag hammers or 12 user
programmable hammers). Select the
hammer type HT as either OPEN END
DIESEL or OTHER HAMMER (e.g. hydraulic,
drop, air, or double acting diesel). If hammer
type is “OTHER”, you can enter a name,
hammer ram weight HW, an informational
STROKE, and maximum BPM for the hammer.
Press the left arrow key when done to
continue.
The project name will be associated with all
data output. The current project name is
stored with each pile. Edit to change or press
ENTER when the project name is correct.

The total length defaults to the previous value
from the last pile and is only for informational
purposes. To change the value, press the
down arrow to move the cursor to this line and
type the new value (old value disappears
when new entry is made). You can return to
the pile name with another down arrow, or
simply press enter to begin or continue data
collection.
When pile name and total length are
entered, press ENTER for data collection
(see Section 3 of this manual for further
instructions for data collection).
2.4 Setup
The E-SAXIMETER can be configured to the
site requirements by pressing the SETUP key
during startup. SETUP contains several user
choices. Most show the current value. To
change any value, place the cursor on that
line (with the up or down arrow key) and press
the yellow ENTER key. Once setup is
completed, the E-SAXIMETER remembers
your choices. Setup is only needed if there
is a change to be made with items listed in
Sections 2.3.1 through 2.3.7). When all
setup parameters have been correctly
entered, press the left arrow key to end this
session and go to the data collection screen.
4 5
2.3.1 Units
Select English units (depth and stroke will be
in feet and energy in ki-ft), or SI units (depth
and stroke in meters and energy in kJ). Press
the left arrow key when done selecting units.
2.3.2 Pen Increment
The penetration increment is normally one
foot for English units and the alternate
increment is one inch. For SI units the
suggested main increment is 250 mm and the
alternate increment 25 mm. However, these
values can be changed. Press ENTER when
changes are complete or if current values are
acceptable.
2.3.3 Edit Notes
Six preprogrammed “NOTES” are given to
help document the data collected. You can
edit these notes this quick editor. Press
ENTER when complete.
2.3.4 Owner
The “Owner name” for this E-SAXIMETER
can be changed. This information is included
in the driving log. Press ENTER when the
owner name is acceptable.
2.3.5 Date Time
The Day and Time (24 hour clock: e.g. 2:30
PM is 14:30 on a 24 hour clock) can be
changed. The day is shown in the form of
yyyy-mm-dd (year, month, day).
2.3.6 RST Hammer List
If changes have been inadvertently made to
the hammer list, they can be reset to the
default values by this option. Press CLEAR to
reset the hammer list.
2.3.7 Mode
Options include Memory or Basic. In Memory
mode data is save in internal memory. In
Basic Mode data is not saved. Select the
desired Mode and press the left arrow key
when complete.
2.3.8 USB Host
The USB host chip is programmed to provide
memory data transfer to a USB storage
device.
3. DATA COLLECTION
3.1 Audio Mode
The E-SAXIMETER operates in either
automatic “A” or manual “M” mode. When the
E-SAXIMETER enters the data collect screen,
the unit is in PAUSE mode to avoid false
blows from random noise. To switch to collect
mode, press either the CLEAR, ENTER, or
PAUSE key. In automatic mode, data is
acquired when the internal microphone
senses a loud sound. In the “A mode” the
sound “Level” is displayed on the display as
“A” followed by a number (indicating the
loudness). The user can adjust the sound
trigger level manually (M mode) by pressing
6
the up or down arrows (“Level” then shows an
“M” followed by the relative loudness required
to trigger; a level of 70 is the lowest possible
sound trigger level. To return to automatic
trigger level mode, press CLEAR.
3.2 Manual Mode
To switch into fully manual data collection
mode, press the MANUAL key (the “Level”
display will show MAN). Every subsequent
key press of MANUAL will cause the count to
increase by one blow; no blows will be
detected by any sound while in this MANUAL
mode. To return to the fully automatic
mode (A mode), press CLEAR.
3.3 Pause Mode
To use PAUSE while the hammer is stopped
(so the E-SAXIMETER will not trigger on false
signals), press the PAUSE key. In normal
startup, the E-SAXIMETER automatically
goes into PAUSE to prevent false blows from
being registered. When the hammer is
started the E-SAXIMETER returns to data
collection from PAUSE by pressing the
CLEAR, ENTER or PAUSE keys. PAUSE
also uses less power so prolongs battery life.
3.4 Creating a Driving Log
Before driving begins, enter the starting or
current pile penetration (PEN) by pressing
the PEN key and entering the current depth
below reference. As the pile is driven, the
E-SAXIMETER will count each blow. To
create a “driving log” (blow count versus
penetration depth), press the yellow AVG
7 8
key each time you visually observe the
pile reaches the next penetration depth;
the display shows the current penetration
value PEN which should then increment by
the main PEN increment (Section 2.3.3). In
hard driving you may switch to the
alternate increment by pressing PI. The
PEN will then be increased by the alternate
PI.
At any time you can add a note (Section 2.3.4)
to document any preprogrammed event that is
of special interest. Alternatively, you may
create any note by just typing a short
message; (it will be displayed during typing on
the bottom line of the E-SAXIMETER display);
such notes will be included with the pile
driving log in the output. At the conclusion
of driving, press PEN to enter the final
penetration depth.
To conserve battery life, switch the power off
between piles or during breaks or splicing.
3.5 Blow Rate
The speed of data collection is extremely
important for proper counting of blows.
This is controlled by the MAXBPM or the
expected maximum “blows per minute”
hammer operating rate which must be
correctly entered in SETUP. If set too low (e.g.
60 while the hammer operates at 90 BPM),
then some blows will be missed and show too
low a BPM (in our example, the real 90 BPM
shows as 45 BPM since only every second
blow is counted). If the blow rate is set too
high (e.g. 150 while the hammer is operating
at a much lower rate like 30 BPM) then extra
blows may occur (e.g. due to the bounce of
drop hammers, or for single acting air
hammers where the air release at the top of
each stroke). As a general rule set the
MAXBPM to a value 10 or 20 above the
highest expected rate (e.g. 70 for open end
diesels; 100 for closed end diesels; 70 for
single acting air/steam hammers; 140 for
double acting air/steam hammers; for
hydraulic hammer, consult the manufacturer).
Enter the MAXBPM for the hammer in the
hammer SETUP menu (Sect. 2.3.1)
4. DISPLAY
Adjust the four line display for contrast with
the adjustment screw on the left edge of the
unit.
During data collection:
The display top line shows the LAST
values for blows per minute (BPM) and
blow number (BN) counted between the
last two AVG key presses. A driving log is
generated by pressing the AVG key once
every unit penetration (e.g. once per foot if
counting in blows per foot). The total
number of blows for the entire pile is
displayed in the far right hand side. The
far left hand side will display the average
stroke height of the last increment for an
OED hammer type, N/A for an OTHER
hammer type when operating the
E-Saximeter in audio mode and average
kinetic energy when operating the
E-Saximeter with proximity switches.
9
 The second line of the display shows the
incrementing current values (NOW) of
BPM and counting blows BN. At the far
right side the trigger control parameter
(described in Sections 3.1 and 3.2) is
displayed. When an “S” appears in the
LEVEL field, this indicates that the
E-SAXIMETER is STOPPED and waiting
for data (no blow detected for more than 3
seconds). At the far left most side the
current potential or kinetic energy will be
displayed for and OED hammer type and
N/A or the kinetic energy for an OTHER
hammer type.
The third line shows the date and time
and the current Penetration Increment
value.
The bottom line shows the last completed
penetration depth in the far right side. For
an OED hammer type, the far left side will
display the potential energy, PE, when
operating the E-Saximeter in audio mode
and kinetic energy, K, when operating the
E-Saximeter with proximity switches. For
an OTHER hammer type, the maximum
driving rate or speed, SPD, will be
displayed. The lower left area may also
display a message entered as a comment
or a prompt to enter a new pile name if the
last pile driven has finished.
During other operations (e.g. “setup”), the
screen may show other data, or suggestions
for data entry (e.g. up or down arrow to shift
the cursor to a new line, left-arrow to signal
the event is “Done”, or ENTER to continue,
perhaps a numeric entry, or use the left-arrow
10
to backspace and enter an alphanumeric
entry such as project name or pile name, or if
a numeric value is expected then just enter
some number from the keypad, etc.
5. OUTPUT
Display output can be manually recorded.
However, stored data can be processed by
pressing OUTPUT (twice) which has two
choices: Review Pile and Save Data.
Review Pile presents a brief summary of the
data or PILE PARAMETERS for one selected
pile of your choice on the display. See
Section 9.
Save Data copies all piles or selected piles to
a USB storage device.
6. MEMORY MANAGEMENT
The E-SAXIMETER contains limited data
storage. Eventually the E-SAXIMETER
memory will be full. To clear the memory,
press OUTPUT, select Memory, and press
the Clear key. Partial memory clearing is not
possible. After a Memory Clear a D5 hammer
parameters are selected as default.
7. CONSISTENT OPERATION
Inconsistent hammer operation or erratic
triggering both result in varying BPM and
stroke values displayed by the
E-SAXIMETER Open end diesel hammers
are easily observed hammer stroke
11
inconsistency. The cause (lack of lubrication,
malfunctioning fuel pump, poor hammer-pile
alignment, etc.) for a varying stroke should be
determined and corrected to improve hammer
performance. An indicated one foot stroke
difference for an open end diesel may also be
caused by erratic triggering. At a 7-foot stroke,
a 0.10 second change of duration, )t, causes a
1-foot stroke difference. High background
noise, sound reflecting walls or other
conditions may cause such small changes in
the time duration measurement. It may then
be necessary to find another location where
steady triggering occurs or manually adjust
the trigger level and MAXBPM. For
inconsistent operation of air steam hammers,
check the supply source valves and hoses.
8. COMMENTS
User input comments (up to 16 characters)
can be inserted into the memory. To
accomplish this, clear the lower left INPUT
area of the LCD using the left arrow key. Type
in your message. Backspace is accomplished
with the left arrow key. For comments longer
than 7 characters the PEN will alternate with
the comment. When the comment is finished,
press ENTER to save it.
9. REVIEW PILE
The data in memory can be viewed on the
display by selecting OUTPUT and then the
desired data by project and by pile using the
menu and arrow keys. The first and last piles
are noted by the indicators "1" and "L",
respectively. When the "*" is on the pile to
review, press ENTER. The display shows first
12
a summary of results followed by three do not change and simply changing the pile

Example: E-SAXIMETER Stroke Indicator Reading h = 7.5 ft and batter 1:2 yield stroke 6.5 ft (in axial direction)
columns of data as a function of depth (last name is sufficient.

11.9
11.9
11.9
11.8
11.7
11.7
11.6
11.5
11.3
11.0
10.6
10.2
depth displayed first for convenience). Each

9.7
9.2
8.1
12
line contains the penetration, Result (BPM, 13. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR
Stroke, or Energy as indicated at the top of the OPEN-END DIESEL HAMMERS

10.9
10.9
10.9
10.8
10.7
10.7
10.6
10.5
10.3
10.1
column), and Number of blows. Using down

9.7
9.4
8.9
8.4
7.4
11
arrow scrolls to the next line of data. The It is not always possible to directly utilize the
E-SAXIMETER data should be downloaded results of the E-SAXIMETER stroke. A few

10.0
daily or weekly to a PC (see Section 5). problem situations will be discussed and

9.9
9.9
9.8
9.8
9.7
9.6
9.5
9.4
9.2
8.8
8.5
8.1
7.7
6.7
10
recommendations for best results given.
10. SAVE DATA
13.1 Inclined (Battered) Pile Driving

9.0
8.9
8.9
8.9
8.8
8.7
8.7
8.6
8.5
8.2
7.9
7.6
7.3
6.9
6.0
The memory contents are saved to a USB

Table 13.1: Corrected Strokes hb (ft) as a function of Reading, h and batter ∀

9
storage device by selecting Output (twice) Driving inclined piles increases ram friction
and then Save Data. The user can choose and reduces gravity in the axial direction.

8.0
7.9
7.9
7.9
7.8
7.8
7.7
7.6
7.5
7.3
7.0
6.8
6.5
6.1
5.3
between saving all Piles, Pile by Date, or Pile Table 13.1 lists correct strokes, hb, given a

8
by Name. Press ENTER when the choice is E-SAXIMETER reading h and an inclination
highlighted and follow the prompts as (Also called “rake” or “batter”) angle. A friction

7.0
7.0
6.9
6.9
6.8
6.8
6.7
6.7
6.6
6.4
6.1
5.9
5.6
5.3
4.6
directed. angle of 1.1 degrees was assumed but for

7
computation has little effect on the correction.
11. OPEN FILE ON COMPUTER The corrected strokes, hb, can also be taken

Stroke Reading, h, (ft)

6.0
6.0
5.9
5.9
5.9
5.8
5.8
5.7
5.6
5.5
5.2
5.1
4.8
4.5
3.9
from Figure 13.1. The results of Table 13.1

6
Files are saved on the USB storage device as and Figure 13.1 indicate insignificant errors of
a .S01 text file. If the file does not the uncorrected reading for angles less than
automatically open, select a text file type such 1:5 and these corrections can therefore be

5.0
5.0
5.0
4.9
4.9
4.8
4.8
4.8
4.7
4.6
4.4
4.2
4.0
3.8
3.3
5
as WordPad, Notepad, or Microsoft Office ignored. For batters greater than 1:2, the
Word. results are greatly affected by the corrections.
Even after correction, the E-SAXIMETER

4.0
4.0
4.0
3.9
3.9
3.9
3.8
3.8
3.7
3.6
3.5
3.4
3.2
3.0
2.6
4
12. NEW PILE NAME stroke results contain uncertainty due to the
friction losses.
After the last blow, the E-SAXIMETER waits
one minute and then asks for a new pile name

1:1.75

1:1.25
Batter
Ratio

1:4.5

1:3.5

1:2.5

1:1.5
1:12
1:10
(PN?) which is entered with the alphanumeric

1:8
1:6
1:5

1:4

1:3

1:2

1:1
entry process. Alternatively, the
E-SAXIMETER can be turned off and on to
reset. Power off/on is the only way to change

Batter
Angle

11.3
12.5
14.0
16.0
18.4
21.8
26.6
29.7
33.7
38.7
45.0
hammer type and name, project name, owner

4.8
5.7
7.1
9.5
∀
name and units type; for most projects, these

13 14 15

Figure 13.1: Nomogram for Correction of
Stroke Readings on Battered Piles
Example:
E-SAXIMETER Stroke Indicator Reading h =
7.5 ft and Batter 1:2 yield Axial Stroke = 6.5 ft
13.2 Accuracy
E-SAXIMETER stroke equations assume
normal (i.e., minimal) ram friction. Of course,
extreme friction would reduce the ram velocity
and the E-SAXIMETER stroke reading would
be too high. The E-SAXIMETER operator
should check the hammer for signs of
excessive friction. (The ram should appear
moist and well lubricated. Scratches on the
piston surface may indicate extreme friction or
foreign matter).
16
The E-SAXIMETER calculates blows per displays are protected from extended
minute to a resolution of 0.1 BPM. The stroke exposure to direct sunlight or heat. The LCD
calculation is based on this resolution even display may darken if too hot or be slow to
though BPM is displayed to a 1 BPM change if too cold. Returning the
resolution in the "open end diesel" mode. E-SAXIMETER to normal temperatures
should allow the display to operate normally.
13.3 The Last Blow
Wipe the E-SAXIMETER surface occasionally
When driving ceases, "S" (stop) is displayed with a damp cloth to clean the surface. Care
after approximately 3 seconds. Depressing should be taken not to scratch or puncture the
AVG even after a stop saves the current LCD window. Keep liquids from entering the
blows (or input the final PEN penetration case at any time.
value to record the last blows into memory). If
the E-SAXIMETER repeatedly "stops" then 16. WARRANTY
either the hammer is not hitting consistently,
(which should be obvious) or the Pile Dynamics, Inc. (PDI) warranties the
E-SAXIMETER trigger level or MAXBPM may E-SAXIMETER for one year. The warranty
need adjusted. does not include batteries, units damaged by
abuse or by repairs made by unqualified
14. NORMAL OPERATION persons. The customer is responsible for
shipping the unit to PDI and the associated
The E-SAXIMETER is versatile; however, cost thereof and all customs charges (if any).
most users monitor BPM and/or stroke for
consistent hammer operation. By using the
average function every unit of distance (foot,
inch, meter, 0.25 m) and recording the blow
count and BPM or stroke, a driving record can
be created. For open end diesel hammers,
the theoretical potential energy can be
calculated from the stroke and ram weight.
The stroke for open end diesels can be used
to confirm wave equation assumptions. The
kinetic energy for hammers equipped with
proximity switches can be easily determined.
15. MAINTENANCE
There is little maintenance needed. However,
caution must be exercised to insure the
17 18