HIGH STRAIN
DYNAMIC PILE TEST
(PDA)
Dynamic Pile Test - PDA
Hammer = 1~2% of
P Test Load
Transducers
Soil 1
Test Pile Soil 2
W . h = R. s
Where W = ram weight
H = ram drop height
R = pile capacity
s = pile penetration per blow.
Wave Equation Analysis Software
The WEAP program computes the
following:
The blow count (number of blows/ unit
length of permanent set) of a pile under one
or more assumed ultimate resistance values
and other dynamic soil resistance
parameters, given a hammer and driving
system.
The axial stresses in a pile corresponding to
the computed blow count
Wave Equation Analysis
Software
Based on these results, the following
can be indirectly derived:
The piles bearing capacity at the time of
driving or restriking, given its penetration
resistance (blow count)
The stresses during pile driving.
The expected blow count if the actual static
bearing capacity of the pile is known in
advance (i.e. from a static soil analysis).
Wave Equation Applications
A bearing graph provides the wave
equation analyst with two types of
information:
It establishes a relationship between
ultimate capacity and driving resistance.
From the users input data on the shaft and
toe bearing resistances, the analysis
estimates the permanent set (mm/blow)
under one hammer blow.
Wave Equation
Applications
The user usually develops a bearing
graph (Figure-2) or an inspectors chart
(Figure-3) for different pile lengths and
uses these graphs in the filed, with the
observed driving resistance, to determine
when the pile has been driven sufficiently
for the required bearing capacity.
Driveability study to evaluate the ability of
the pile to be driven to a required depth
and capacity. (Figure-4).
Interpretation of Wave
Equation Result
Check the pile stresses to see whether a
safe pile installation is possible
If blow count is excessive (greater than 240
blows/foot or 800 blow/m), reanalyse with
more powerful hammer
If blow count is acceptable but
compressive stresses are unacceptably
high, reanalyse with either a decreased
stroke or an increased cushion thickness.
Interpretation of Wave
Equation Result
If blow count is low but tension stresses
are too high for concrete piles, either
increase the cushion thickness or
decrease the stroke or use a hammer
with a heavier ram, and then reanalyse.
If both the blow count and compressive
stresses are excessive, increase cross
sectional area if applicable, and
reanalyse.
TERMINATION CRITERIA
For dynamic load testing, it is terminated when one
or more of the following conditions arise:
The mobilised capacity achieves the specified test
load.
The induced driving stresses approach the specified
limits.
The integrity of pile is unsatisfactory or starts to
deteriorate.
The ultimate pile capacity is achieved according to
predefined criteria.
The hammer drop height reached its maximum. The
test may be repeated using a heavier hammer if
necessary to mobilise a higher pile capacity.
FREQUENCY OF TESTING
5% X TOTAL POINTS OF PILE or
subjected to S.O
Task Requirements
1. General All testers and testing companies must register with the project
owner/his representatives.
Basing on past performance, qualification/ certification and
experience, suitably qualified testers and testing companies are
included to an Approved List.
Only testers/testing companies in the Approved List shall
undertake and be responsible for HSDPT works.
2. Field Testing Works Field works should be responsible/supervised by a personnel
achieved Basic Level or above in HSDPT Examination of
FoundationQA/Deep Foundation Institute, and has minimum 2
years of relevant experience.
3. Data Interpretation Data interpretation should be responsible/supervised by a civil
engineer achieved Advanced Level or above in HSDPT
Examination of FoundationQA/Deep Foundation Institute, and
has minimum 3 years of relevant experience.
4. Audit same requirements as for item (3).
PDA DATA OUTPUT
RMX Maximum Global Resistance
FMX Maximum compression force to
transducer
CSX Compression stress maximum
TSX Maximum tension stress
EMX Energy transmitted past the
transducers
BTA Pile Integrity
BTA PILE INTEGRITY
Integrity anomaly detected on pile shaft with BETA value
of:
100% - GOOD INTEGRITY. ACCEPTABLE CASE
80~99% - MINOR DAMAGE. NORMALLY ACCEPTABLE
BUT CONSIDER LONG TERM DURABILITY
60~79% - DAMAGE PILE. PROBLEM TO MAINTAINED
LOAD ESPECIALLY TENSILE & LATERAL LOAD
<60% - SEVERELY DAMAGED OR BROKEN PILE.
REJECTED.
Low Strain Pile Integrity Testing
Methods
Direct Transmission Method
- Crosshole Sonic Logging (CSL),
- Parallel Seismic (PS)
Surface Reflection Method
- Pile Integrity Tester (PIT)
1. Sonic Echo(SE)
2. Impulse Response(IR)
Unit Kejuruteraan Geoteknik, Cawangan Pakar Dan
Kejuruteraan Awam
PROBLEMATIC CONDITON
Should carry out when:-
Piles driven to excessive length than
expected.
Piles driven to significantly shallower
depth than expected/comparing to
adjacent piles.
Piles unsuccessful in achieving the
expected set.
Piles driven in difficult ground conditions
like karstic limestone formation.
PROBLEMATIC CONDITON
Should carry out when:-
Piles suspected of damage, e.g. with large
deviation in position, unanticipated blow
count profile (comparing to adjacent piles)
or sudden abrupt decrease in blow counts.
Piles accidentally hit by heavy equipment.
Piles displaced due to adjacent
excavation/filling.
Piles do not install to the required
termination criteria
PROBLEMATIC CONDITON
Piles installed by different hammers than
allowed.
New types/sizes of piles are to be used.
Substantially different subsoil conditions
are encountered.
New design loading are to be used.
LOW STRAIN PILE
INTEGRITY TEST
Schematic field setup
HAMMER
ACCELEROMETER
Data can be transferred into PIT-W
PIT-W software for further
DEFECT analysis
PILE
Unit Kejuruteraan Geoteknik, Cawangan Pakar Dan
Kejuruteraan Awam
Application of PIT at The Site
Pile top preparation is the
key to good data quality
Cleaning to remove
any dust on pile top
Grinding to smoothen
Unit Kejuruteraanpile top
Geoteknik, Cawangan Pakar Dan
Kejuruteraan Awam
Causes of Error
Imperfect piles
Pile top contact surface not smooth (pure
noise)
Inhomogeneous material (particle sizes)
Impacts
Protruding reinforcement rings
Rayleigh waves (due to hammer blows)
Careless hammer blows (high frequency)
Unit Kejuruteraan Geoteknik, Cawangan Pakar Dan
Kejuruteraan Awam
Sensors
coupling to pile
Signal recording
external noise
internal noise
Inexperience processing
High Soil resistance
Unit Kejuruteraan Geoteknik, Cawangan Pakar Dan
Kejuruteraan Awam
SONIC
LOGGING
