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Pile tests use motion and sound sensing to evaluate concrete pile integrity and locate defects. The ASTM Standard – D 5882-00 is used to standardize testing. Sonic recording and echo tests are used to test battery integrity. The length and standing time of the concrete post is determined by sound wave speed. Various methods are used to collect data from depths of approximately 20-30 times the diameter of the concrete pile. If the foundation’s integrity is in doubt, the pile is removed and load tested.
A pile test is used to evaluate the integrity of concrete piles and to locate any hidden defects. It is conducted by motion and sound sensing, using a light hammer to strike the pole to generate sound waves, and also as a sound measurement device, such as a geophone. Data from the sensors is transmitted to a computer which displays the results in a graph. Reflected acoustic data, called a reflectogram, allows you to measure the length of the pile and the location of any cracks in the concrete. Battery testing can be done by testing the sonic echo and frequency response, while sonic recording is another way to test battery integrity.
The pile test has been standardized by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Organizations that conduct pile integrity testing use the ASTM Standard – D 5882-00, “Standard Test Method for Low Strain Integrity Testing of Piles”. The standard describes the proper placement of motion sensors and where to hit the stack in relation to the sensors. Following international guidelines is a step in conducting a pile test and further tests are needed to evaluate any abnormalities, such as changes in impedance due to poor quality concrete or pile diameter erosion.
The length of the concrete post is tested, but a post test determines how long the concrete stands based on an average wave speed. The speed of the sound wave is determined by the age and grade type of the concrete. Variations from one stack to another can lead to large accuracy errors.
Using sound is the only way to test the integrity of the foundation. It is not physically or economically logical to excavate an entire structure for a pile test, so the existing piles act as structural supports. One method of sound analysis is the sound echo test, which is used in conjunction with data from a frequency response test. Data can be collected from depths of approximately 20-30 times the diameter of the concrete pile, while soil quality also plays a role in the depth to which the pile can be measured.
Sonic recording allows a test pile to operate at any depth or be used with piles of any size or shape. For the test, pipes previously cast in concrete and filled with water are required to carry out the acoustic measurement. Whatever method is used, if the integrity of the foundation is in doubt, the pile is removed and load tested.
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