NON-DESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION OF INTEGRITY IN

PILES AND DEEP FOUNDATIONS

 Outline
• Introduction
• Pulse Echo Concept
• Low Strain Integrity Testing
• Applications
• Creating a Successful Pile Integrity Testing
• Basic Data Analyzing
• Limitations
2
Introduction
• What is Pile and Deep Foundation???
• How Piles Work???
• Why Pile Integrity Testing (PIT)???

3
Pulse Echo Concept
Pulse Emitter & Receiver
∆𝒕𝟏

𝑋1
z 𝑋2
z

∆𝒕𝟐
1
𝑋1 = 𝑉. ∆𝑡1 Time
2
1
𝑋2 = 𝑉. ∆𝑡2
2

4
Low Strain Integrity Testing
(ASTM D5882)
• Low Strain Impact is Applied
• Impulse Responses or
Reflections (Acc./Vel.) are
Recorded
1
• X= 2
𝑉. ∆𝑡

5
Applications
• Identify Defects in Piles
• Evaluate Cross Section and Length
• Determine Unknown Length
• Evaluate Continuity of Piles
• Evaluate Consistency of Pile Materials
6
Applications

Intact Pile Necking Major Defect Bulging

7
Applications
• Structural Columns
• Driven Concrete Piles
• Cast-in Place Concrete Piles
• Concrete Filled Steel Pipe Piles
• Timber Piles
8
Creating A Successful PIT
Bonding material 300 mm

9
Creating A Successful PIT
• Hit the pile head along pile axe, perpendicular
to the pile head surface. (Short impact < 1ms)
• Check repeatability of signal in a same test
• Put sensor near centre
• For pile with diameter > 500mm, do the test at
least at 3 locations
• Do Test no sooner than 7 days after casting, or
after concrete achieve 75% of its design
strength, whichever occur earlier.
10
Basic Data Analyzing
•Impedance
Z= (E.A)/(V)
Z is impedance;
A Cross Section
E Young’s dynamic Module
V is wave speed

11
Basic Data Analyzing
Pile Profile Description Reflection

Straight pile, free end, length

as expected
Straight pile, fixed end, length
as expected
Straight pile, free end, shorter
than expected

Increased impedance

Decreased impedance

Locally increased impedance

Locally decreased impedance

Z = (E.A)/(V)
Slender pile (High H/L), no toe
reflection

Multiple reflections from Toe

Irregular profile
12
Basic Data Analyzing

Signal collected from Sound Pile

Pile toe stands on bedrock

-5 0 5 10 15 20 25

13
 Basic Data Analyzing

Signal collected from damaged Pile

Mid-depth defects
or cross-sectional
Pile toe stands on bedrock
change

-5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

14
 Basic Data Analyzing

Signal collected from pile in soil in relatively high friction

Change from soft

soil to hard soil Pile toe on soil

-5 0 5 10 15

15
Basic Data Analyzing
• Concrete cylinder or core strength
• Pile diameter
• Initial estimation of pile length
• Initial estimation of wave speed
• Soil profile (soil stratigraphy)
• Construction record, observation,…
• Use average signal for data analyzing 16
Limitations
• Cannot be used over pile cap
• No information on bearing capacity
• Needs experienced person/engineer
•Cannot be used for pile integrity below a
crack that crosses the entire pile cross-
section or below a manufactured
mechanical joints 17
Limitations
• Pile with highly variable cross-sections
or multiple discontinuities may be
difficult to evaluate
• Pile toe may not be evident in long
piles, highly variable piles, or in soil that
exhibit relatively high friction
18
Thank you

300 - 2 Simcoe Street South,

Oshawa, ON, CANADA

+1-(647) 933-6633
www.fprimec.com
info@fprimec.com