ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED COMPANY

TESTING AGENCY : GEOTIES INFRATECH PVT LTD

DEPARTMENT : TECHNICAL CELL

SUBJECT : METHOD FOR HSDLT,PIT

REFERENCE : ASTM D4945 & IRC 78:2014, IS 14893

GEOTIES INFRATECH PVT LTD

#43 – 18 – 34/2, TSN COLONY
NEAR VENKATRAJU NAGAR, DONDAPARTY,
VISAKHAPATNAM - 530 016 PH.0891-2257867
URL: www.tiesindia.org
 HIGH STRAIN DYNAMIC LOAD TEST
0.1 INTRODUCTION:

Compression Load testing of routine pile/working pile is mandatory as per technical

specification and also as per Indian standard codes ASTM 4945 / IRC 70:2014

A. Why adopted dynamic load test method in place of static method?

The practiced method of compression load testing as stated in IS code is about static
method. In static method, compression load is applied to the pile top by means of
hydraulic jack against rolled steel joist or suitable load frame capable of providing reaction
and the settlement is recorded by suitably positioned dial gauges.

The main disadvantages of pile load testing by static methods are:

1. Very much time consuming (Generally 25-30 days required for each testing)
2. Lot of space is required
B. BENEFITS:
a) Significantly faster and economical than static tests; with proper setup
arrangements can test at least 4 bored piles per day.
b) Applicable to almost all kinds of piles includes bored, driven, micro, steel
piles etc.
c) Reduces controversies and eliminates risk enabling a safe foundation. The
test can be used to evaluate various pile parameters, some of them for cast-in-place bored
piles are mentioned below.
• True static capacity of the pile at the time of testing.
• Static load test curve.
• Total skin friction and end bearing of the pile.
• Compressive and tensile stresses developed in the pile during testing.
• Net and total displacement of the pile.
0.2 PRINCIPAL OF HIGH STRAIN DYNAMIC LOAD TEST:

The basic purpose of high strain dynamic pile testing is to evaluate pile static capacity and
its structural integrity using measurement of both force and velocity. Unless, any method
uses instrumentation to measure force it cannot be called dynamic testing as such, since
the basic requirement of the test is to measure dynamic impact and convert it to static
capacity.

The method involves attaching a minimum of two pairs of strain transducers and
accelerometers on diagonally opposite sides of the pile that is built up to 1.5 times pile
diameter. These are fixed minimum 1.5 times the pile diameter below pile top & impact
generated using a hammer weight equal to 1% to 2% or 5% to 7% of static test load. It is
desirable that dynamic testing confirms to ASTM D4945 and IRC 78:2014. The pile has to
chip from top level to the sound concrete level of upto cut off level. Than its has to built up
for 1.5 times of pile dia with higher grade of concrete and extra reinforcement with
closure helical rings and permanent liner. After the built up concrete will archived its
strength after min of 15 days , we can conduct the test. A (300 X300 mm)liner window has
to remove from 1.5 times of dia down words to fix the gauges. Strains induced under the
impact of a heavy falling hammer from a pre-determined height are measured with the
help of strain transducers attached to the pile, whereas accelerometers record the
accelerations generated in the pile. The Pile Driving Analyzer converts strain to force,
and acceleration records are converted to velocities. The resistance developed by the pile
is then a function of force and velocity and includes few assumed factors such as the quake
and damping parameters as inputs based on the soil type. The maximum pile top
compression is obtained by integrating the pile top velocity. A more accurate value of
these parameters is then obtained from CAPWAP analysis conducted on field data.

The test procedure conforms to the ASTM D4945-00. Geo Ties provides this service using
Pile Driving Analyzer – Model PAX manufactured by Pile Dynamics Inc., USA. This is
the latest model of equipment supplied by Manufacturer. Pile Driving Analyzer system
involves state-of-the-art equipment and computer software for analysis.
 0.3 SITE PREPARATION & DATA COLLECTION:
a) High-Strain Dynamic Testing of pile is conducted by attaching a pair of strain
gauges and accelerometers diametrically opposite sides of the pile. These gauges are
fixed below the pile top at approximately 1.5 times the pile diameter.
b) The gauges are normally bolted on the concrete surface after drilling holes in the pile
concrete.
c) The gauges are then connected to Pile Driving Analyzer through a junction cable and
main cable.
d) 12 mm Ply & 40 mm MS plate for Pile helmet.
e) Mechanical Crane or other relevant equipment for Free fall by using Single rope.
The following shall be supplied prior to starting the test by the contractor to the
test agency.
• Pile Reference & Location
• Pile Length from test level (sensor level)
• Pile Cutoff Level,
• Pile Diameter

Optional Information
• Pile Installation Record showing
- Concrete Grade,
- Concrete Consumption, etc.,
• Soil Bore log if available on site

0.4 REPORTING
The final report shall be presented within 8 to 10 working days of completion of testing
and shall include the following.
• INTRODUCTION
• OVERVIEW
• EQUIPMENT DETAILS
• METHODOLOGY
• CAPWAP ANALYSIS
• DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
• CONCLUSIONS
PILE DETAILS & HAMMER WEIGHT CALCULATION
Hammer required in between 1% - 2% of Static test Load

Pile Details Hammer description Hammer weight

Sl No

1% to 2% of test
1 1200 mm dia pile 5.6 mt to 11 mt
Load
 1 Principles of Sonic Integrity Testing

A stress wave (sound wave) is

introduced into the pile by means of a
hammer blow on the pile head (Fig.1.1).

This stress wave travels at the speed of

sound ( c ) to the pile toe and reflects
back to the pile head (Fig. 1.2).

The response of the pile head , as a result

of the hammer blow and reflections, is
measured with an acceleration
transducer. The acceleration is integrated
and presented as a velocity signal (v)

For each pile at least 3 hammer blows

are applied to the pile head and the
results are presented as 3 traces in a
diagram (Fig. 3). To proof the quality of
testing the 3 traces should be similar.
Figure 1.1. Introducing hammer blows The time (T) between the start of the
hammer blow and the time of arrival of
the reflection from the pile toe is
Hammer blow Pile toe measured. The pile length (L) is
reflectio
reflection
calculated with:
Time
L = c.T/2
v
T= 2L/c when the stress wave velocity ( c ) is
known
Time
c To present the measuring results the
time axis (t) is scaled to a length (depth)
(l) axis with L= c.t/2. Due to shaft
L
friction the toe reflection might be of
small magnitude. To make the reflection
visible, the measured signal is
amplified.

To remove noise from the signals a

filter value can be applied.

Depth

Figure 1.2
 Pile integrity testing analysis is based on the one dimensional stress wave theory. Reflections
generated by impedance changes (discontinuities) travel to the pile top and are recorded and analyzed

The impedance Z is defined as

Z = A √ (E. ρ)

In which

A = cross sectional area

E = modulus of elasticity
ρ = density

Any change in A, E, or ρ or a combination of them will generate a reflection from an impedance

change (discontinuity). Potential causes for reflections are:

Pile toe
Dimensional changes
Soil inclusions
Cracks
Joints
Variations in concrete quality
Variations in soil layers
Overlap of reinforcement (heavily reinforced piles).

Limitations of sonic integrity testing are:

Minor impedance changes are not detected

Gradually increasing and decreasing pile diameters can not be detected
Curved pile shapes can not be detected
Small soil inclusions are not detected
Local loss of reinforcement cover can not be detected
Thickness of debris layer at pile toe can not be detected

Pile preparation

Driven piles: Trim pile top if cracked

Cast-in-situ piles: Remove soft pile top to sound concrete
All piles: Cut away overbreak or overspill at ground level.
Pile tops must be clean, though not necessarily flat and smooth
Placing the Sensor
Place the accelerometer with a small amount of Pietoplast to the top of the pile, ensuring that the
sensor is vertical. Choose a relatively flat, off-centre spot and press with hand weight. (The Pietoplast
helps transfer the signal and damp the resonance from pile to sensor.) Do not position the sensor close
to the location of impact.

Note: If the pile top is not easily accessible, the accelerometer can also be attached to the pile shaft.

Acceleration
Sensor Pietoplast

Example of placement of transducer

Reporting :
1. Observed Change in Cross Section , necking and Bulging in pile.
2. Observed cracke , joints and variation concrete quality.
3. L/D ratio will be mention in the report

For GEOTIES INFRATECH Pvt Ltd.

Authorized Signature