Pile Testing

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Pile Testing

Testing of piles is routinely carried out in order to verify that the design and construction of the piles are in line with expectations or to assist in the design of piles ahead of the main piling construction works.

Pile testing is often a requirement of national standards or can be specified as part of the construction specifications.

Testing is carried out by a number of ways including:

Pile Integrity Test, (also known as low-strain dynamic test, sonic echo test, and low-strain integrity test) is one of the methods for assessing the condition of piles or shafts. It is cost-effective and time-effcient.

Dynamic load testing, where the pile is loaded over a very short duration by the application of a dynamic load. This test requires more details interpretation of the results, and as a result of the dynamic load application cannot be directly compared to static loading. The test is normally carried out using a pile driving hammer. For driven piles the hammer is commonly the same as the hammer used for installation. Where testing is carried on bored pilles careful selection of an appropriate hammer is required, taking into consideration the size of the pile and the target load application.

Static load testing, where the pile is loaded gradually via a load cell from either reaction piles, kentledge or surface footings. This method of testing is generally considered the most reliable method of testing piles and most closely resembles the working loading conditions on the piles.