PROCEDURE OF CROSSHOLE

SONIC LOGGING (CSL)

Introduction
Crosshole Sonic Logging (CSL) is a method which involves ultrasonic signal transmission through the
pile between two parallel water filled access tubes. The access tubes are often tied to steel cage and
cast permanently into the pile. The total number of access tubes typically depends on the diameter of
the pile. A transmitter probe and a receiver probe are lowered to the bottom of the pile in separate
access tubes. Measurement of the signal transmission are collected approximately every 5 cm as the
probes are raised to the top of the pile. The cables attached to the probes are pulled through
calibrated encoder wheels which can accurately determine the depth of the probe during testing. A
collection of measurements from one access tube to another are called a profile. Profiles are collected
from all combinations of access tube. CSL procedures are standardized by ASTM 6760, Standard Test
Method for Integrity Testing of Concrete Deep Foundations by Ultrasonic Crosshole Testing. Standards
are also available in Chinese Standard, TB10218-2008 Technical Specification for Testing of Railway
Piles

Scope of Work
The scope of work of CSL are:
1. Access tube preparation,
2. CSL testing, and
3. Data analysis.

Testing Apparatus

Motorized
Probes Cables

Main Machine
Ultrasonic
Transducer

CSL equipment has a computer based system with the intervals of sampling 0.03μs - 1024μs. The
ultrasonic transmitter and receiver probes diameter is 25mm.

Method
There are 3 main phases of CSL test, consisted of 1) access tube is tied to the pile rebar and casted
permanently, 2) several days after the casting, pile is tested by inserting probes into separate access
tube, and 3) finally, the data is analysed.
 Access Tube Data
Pile Testing
Preparation Analysis

Testing procedure

Access Tube Preparation

Every drilled shaft shall be equipped with access tube to permit possible inspection by CSL. It shall be
supplied and installed during construction by or in cooperation with the contractor of the deep
foundation element to be tested. The drilled shafts to be tested shall be chosen after installation by
the Engineer. If significant defects are detected, the number of drilled shafts tested may be increased
by the Engineer. Below is the important requirement of the access tube:

1. The actual number of tubes is often selected as one tube for every 0.25m to 0.35m (10 to 14
inches) of drilled shaft diameter.
2. Nominal 38 mm (1.5 inch) or 50 mm (2.0 inch) inside diameter standard weight schedule 40
steel tubes or schedule 40 or 80 PVC pipes shall be provided for probe access in each drilled
shaft (Schedule 80 PVC is preferred for longer tubes).
3. Round tubes with a regular internal diameter free of defects and obstructions, including any
tube joints, shall be used to permit the free, unobstructed passage of the probes.
4. The tubes shall be fit with a watertight shoe on the bottom and a removable cap on the top.
5. Tubes shall be extended to within (150mm, 6 inches) of the bottom of the drilled shaft, to at
least (1.0m, 3 ft) above the top of the concrete, and to at least (0.6 m, 2 ft), but not more than
(1.5m, 5 ft) above the ground surface.

After placement of the reinforcement cage, the access tubes shall be filled with clean fresh water as
soon as possible but within at the latest (one) hours after concrete placement. Tube tops shall be
capped to prevent debris from entering the access tubes.

Testing Procedure
Prior to CSL testing, important data; 1) drilled shaft lengths with elevations of the top and bottom, and
2) installation dates of all drilled shafts shall be recorded. The access tubes shall be clearly labeled for
identification by the CSL Consultant. The drilled shaft shall be tested no sooner than (3) calendar days
after placement of all concrete in any drilled shaft, but within (10) days after placement and prior to
loading for test drilled shafts, or within (45) days after placement on production drilled shafts. Below
is the procedure of testing:
 1. The CSL testing shall be performed with the transmitter and receiver probes in the same
horizontal plane in parallel tubes.
2. Probes shall be lowered from the top, effectively measuring the access tube lengths. Probes
shall be pulled simultaneously, with CSL measurements taken at intervals of 50 mm (2 inches)
or less from the bottom to the top of the drilled shaft.
3. Using the labeling established for the tubes, CSL testing shall be performed between all
adjacent perimeter access tube pairs and across at least all major diagonals within the drilled
shaft.

In the case of the test results indicate potential defects, in which case the questionable zone may be
further evaluated with angled tests (source and receiver vertically offset in the tubes) at least for
perimeter pairs of tubes. In the event that defects are detected in drilled shafts with more than four
tubes, additional logs in other diagonal tube pairs may be required to estimate the extent of the defect.

Data Analysis
The report shall include presentation of CSL logs for all tested tube pairs including:
1. Presentation of the traditional nested signal peak (e.g. “waterfall”) diagram as a function of
time plotted versus depth.
2. Computed pulse first arrival time (FAT) or pulse wave speed versus depth.
3. Computed relative pulse energy or amplitude versus depth.

The result of sonic logging on the quality of concrete will be determined based on the criteria below.

CHARASTERISTIC DETERMINATION
Neither abnormal acoustic parameter of each
test profile nor abnormally that sounds velocity Type I Pile
is less than low limit
Abnormal acoustic parameters of individual
testing point of certain test profile, and no
Type II Pile
abnormally that sounds velocity less than low
limit
Abnormal acoustic parameters of several
continuous testing points of certain test profile,
abnormal acoustic parameters testing point of a
Type III Pile
same depth from two or more test profile,
abnormality that concrete sound velocity of pile
shaft locally being less than low limit
Obvious abnormality that acoustic parameters
of several continuous testing points of certain
test profile, obvious abnormality that acoustic
parameters of testing points of a same depth
Type IV Pile
from two or more test profile, abnormality that
concrete sound velocity of pile shaft generally
being less than low limit, head wave undetected,
receiving signal of sound wave serious distorting
Main host display
Software display
ANNEX I
Report Preview
 Samyon Instruments
ProjectID HEOUHE BRIDGE PileID 4-1 E↑
2
PouringD 2019/01/22 TestD 2019/02/15 Grade C25 3
1
Design-Diameter 2200 mm Standard ASTM D6760-14 4
V 6.0 4.7 3.4 2.1 0.9 V 6.1 4.8 3.5 2.2 0.9 V 7.2 5.8 4.3 2.9 1.4
A 20 57 93 130 166 A 17 52 88 123 159 A 19 56 92 129 165

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

7.00

8.00

9.00

10.00

11.00

12.00

13.40
P 21 52 83 114 145 176 207 238 269 P 21 52 83 114 145 176 207 238 269 P 21 52 83 114 145 176 207 238 269
Depth
(m) PSD Vel Amp PSD Vel Amp PSD Vel Amp
 Samyon Instruments
ProjectID HEOUHE BRIDGE PileID 4-1 E↑
2
PouringD 2019/01/22 TestD 2019/02/15 Grade C25 3
1
Design-Diameter 2200 mm Standard ASTM D6760-14 4
V 5.1 4.0 2.8 1.6 0.5 V 6.0 4.7 3.4 2.1 0.8 V 6.1 4.8 3.5 2.2 0.9
A 20 57 93 130 167 A 19 55 91 128 164 A 22 59 96 133 170

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

7.00

8.00

9.00

10.00

11.00

12.00

13.40
P 21 52 83 114 145 176 207 238 269 P 21 52 83 114 145 176 207 238 269 P 21 52 83 114 145 176 207 238 269
Depth
(m) PSD Vel Amp PSD Vel Amp PSD Vel Amp
 Samyon Instruments
ProjectID HEOUHE BRIDGE PileID 4-1 E↑
2
PouringD 2019/01/22 TestD 2019/02/15 Grade C25 3
1
Design-Diameter 2200 mm Standard ASTM D6760-14 4

Pile Profile Start To Peak Energy FAT

meters meters meters Decrease Delay

4-1 1-2 0.00 6.20 1.80 5%
4-1 1-3 0.00 6.80 4.20 2%
4-1 3-4 0.00 5.20 3.60 3%
4-1 2-3 0.00 0.20 0.20 0%
4-1 2-4 0.00 0.60 0.20 1%
4-1 1-3 0.20 1.40 0.20 0.39 dB
4-1 1-4 0.60 6.00 4.20 4%
4-1 2-3 0.60 2.80 1.60 1%
4-1 1-2 1.00 1.80 1.00 0.16 dB
4-1 2-4 1.00 4.40 2.00 2%
4-1 1-3 1.00 1.40 1.20 1.83 dB
4-1 1-4 1.00 4.60 1.00 0.46 dB
4-1 2-3 1.20 3.00 1.20 1.01 dB
4-1 1-2 1.40 1.80 1.80 1.59 dB
4-1 1-4 1.80 4.60 1.80 0.01 dB
4-1 3-4 1.80 2.40 1.80 2.28 dB
4-1 1-3 1.80 3.20 1.80 2.46 dB
4-1 3-4 2.20 2.40 2.40 0.22 dB
4-1 1-2 2.20 4.00 2.20 1.46 dB
4-1 1-3 2.20 3.20 2.40 3.06 dB
4-1 1-4 2.40 4.60 2.40 0.31 dB
4-1 1-2 2.60 4.00 3.20 5.48 dB
4-1 3-4 2.80 3.40 3.00 2.83 dB
4-1 2-3 2.80 3.00 3.00 1.22 dB
4-1 2-4 3.00 6.60 3.00 1.05 dB
4-1 2-3 3.20 3.40 3.40 0%
4-1 2-3 3.60 4.00 3.80 2.85 dB
4-1 2-4 3.60 6.60 3.60 1.56 dB
4-1 1-3 3.60 3.80 3.80 1.14 dB
4-1 2-3 4.00 4.40 4.20 1%
4-1 2-3 4.40 4.60 4.60 1.01 dB
4-1 1-4 4.40 4.60 4.60 0.88 dB
4-1 1-2 4.40 6.60 4.40 1.32 dB
4-1 1-3 4.40 12.20 4.40 1.14 dB
4-1 3-4 4.40 5.20 4.60 1.54 dB
4-1 2-4 4.60 6.60 4.60 1.18 dB
4-1 1-2 4.80 6.60 4.80 0.90 dB
4-1 2-3 5.00 6.80 5.80 2%
4-1 2-4 5.00 6.60 6.20 1.93 dB
4-1 2-3 5.20 9.20 5.20 0.38 dB
4-1 3-4 5.60 6.80 5.80 2%
4-1 2-3 5.60 9.20 5.60 0.15 dB
4-1 2-4 5.80 6.00 6.00 0%
4-1 2-3 6.00 9.20 6.00 0.15 dB
4-1 1-4 6.20 7.00 6.60 2.53 dB
4-1 1-2 6.20 6.60 6.40 3.06 dB
4-1 2-3 6.40 9.20 6.40 0.59 dB
4-1 3-4 6.40 6.80 6.80 0.74 dB
4-1 1-3 6.80 12.20 6.80 0.39 dB
 Samyon Instruments
ProjectID HEOUHE BRIDGE PileID 4-1 E↑
2
PouringD 2019/01/22 TestD 2019/02/15 Grade C25 3
1
Design-Diameter 2200 mm Standard ASTM D6760-14 4

Pile Profile Start To Peak Energy FAT

meters meters meters Decrease Delay

4-1 2-3 6.80 9.20 6.80 0.15 dB
4-1 2-4 7.00 7.20 7.20 1.56 dB
4-1 1-2 7.20 7.40 7.40 0%
4-1 1-3 7.20 7.40 7.40 1%
4-1 2-4 7.20 7.40 7.40 2%
4-1 2-3 7.20 7.40 7.40 2%
4-1 1-4 7.40 7.60 7.60 0.46 dB
4-1 3-4 7.40 12.20 9.00 3.59 dB
4-1 3-4 7.40 7.60 7.60 0%
4-1 1-2 7.60 8.00 7.80 3.39 dB
4-1 2-4 7.60 8.60 7.80 2.94 dB
4-1 2-3 7.60 9.20 7.60 1.22 dB
4-1 1-3 7.80 12.20 8.20 4.01 dB
4-1 2-3 7.80 9.80 7.80 0%
4-1 2-4 8.00 0.20 8.00 1%
4-1 1-4 8.00 8.60 8.00 0.46 dB
4-1 2-3 8.00 9.20 8.80 2.16 dB
4-1 1-4 8.40 8.60 8.60 0.16 dB
4-1 1-2 8.60 9.40 9.00 1.98 dB
4-1 1-4 8.80 6.80 8.80 0%
4-1 2-4 9.00 12.60 11.00 3.26 dB
4-1 1-4 9.00 13.20 10.20 3.61 dB
4-1 2-3 9.20 9.80 9.60 0%
4-1 2-3 9.60 11.80 11.00 3.01 dB
4-1 3-4 10.00 0.60 10.00 0%
4-1 1-2 10.60 12.20 11.20 3.17 dB
4-1 2-3 11.00 6.00 11.00 1%
4-1 1-4 11.40 6.80 11.40 1%
4-1 2-4 11.60 0.20 11.60 1%
4-1 2-3 11.60 6.00 11.60 0%
4-1 2-3 12.40 13.40 13.20 3.49 dB
4-1 1-3 12.60 6.20 12.60 0%
4-1 2-4 13.00 13.20 13.20 3.85 dB
4-1 1-2 13.00 0.00 13.00 0.46 dB
4-1 1-3 13.00 13.40 13.20 1.99 dB
4-1 3-4 13.20 0.60 13.20 0%
4-1 3-4 13.20 13.40 13.40 0.90 dB
 Samyon Instruments

HEOUHE BRIDGE
PIER 4-1 DIA.2.20M. PIER 4-1 DIA.2.20M. PIER 4-1 DIA.2.20M.
Tube No.1-2 Tube No.1-3 Tube No.1-4
L=13.40 m 2 L=13.40 m 2 L=13.40 m 2
1 3 1 3 1 3
Space=1.20 m Space=1.80 m Space=1.47 m
2019-02-15 17:09:00 4 2019-02-15 17:09:00 4 2019-02-15 17:09:00 4
Arrival(ms) Arrival(ms) Arrival(ms)
.20 .25 .30 .35 .40 .30 .35 .40 .45 .50 .20 .25 .30 .35 .40
 Samyon Instruments

HEOUHE BRIDGE
PIER 4-1 DIA.2.20M. PIER 4-1 DIA.2.20M. PIER 4-1 DIA.2.20M.
Tube No.2-3 Tube No.2-4 Tube No.3-4
L=13.40 m 2 L=13.40 m 2 L=13.40 m 2
1 3 1 3 1 3
Space=1.23 m Space=1.76 m Space=1.10 m
2019-02-15 17:09:00 4 2019-02-15 17:09:00 4 2019-02-15 17:09:00 4
Arrival(ms) Arrival(ms) Arrival(ms)
.30 .35 .40 .45 .35 .40 .45 .50 .20 .25 .30 .35 .40