SAMPLE SPECIFICATION for PILE INTEGRITY TESTING

by the LOW STRAIN IMPACT METHOD June 2!!

Note: This sample specification contains recommended or typical quantities in parenthesis, in the format
(quantity); the specifying Engineers can adapt these quantities for their particular construction projects.
!" Gener#$ Re%#r&'
Pile Integrity Testing (PIT) is a Non-Destructive integrity test method for foundation piles. It is a
Lo !train" #ethod (since it re$uires the impact of only a small hand-held hammer). The
evaluation of PIT records is conducted either according to the Pulse-%cho (or !onic %cho & a
time domain analysis) or the Transient 'esponse (fre$uency domain analysis) Procedure. This
test is standardi(ed )y *!T# D+,,- !tandard Test #ethod for Lo !train Impact Integrity
Testing of Deep .oundations.
2" De'(r)*t)on of Metho+
Lo !train Integrity Testing may )e applied to any concreted pile (e.g. concrete piles/ drilled
shafts/ augered cast-in-place piles/ concrete filled pipe piles). The test re$uires the impact of a
small hand held hammer on the shaft top and the measurement of the shaft top motion
(acceleration or velocity). The input compression ave from the hammer is reflected from pile
toe (or a change in cross sectional area or pile material $uality) and returns to the pile top at a
time related to the speed of travel of the ave in the pile material.
The pile top velocity is displayed as a function of time ith an e0ponentially increasing
magnitude such that the pile toe reflection is enhanced. The averaged/ amplified velocity/
averaged for several impacts/ is the standard result of the Pulse %cho #ethod. The force as a
function of time/ if availa)le/ provides additional information as to the pile $uality near the pile
top.
The Transient 'esponse #ethod result shos the ratio of velocity to force transforms for all
relevant fre$uencies in a plot called #o)ility. It should )e shon together ith the related lo
fre$uency pile stiffness. Transient 'esponse re$uires that hammer force is measured.
," Te't E-u)*%ent
Provide a Pile Integrity Tester (PIT) manufactured )y Pile Dynamics/ Inc./ (123-+ *urora 'oad/
4leveland/ 56 77819/ :!*; .pile.com<pdi; email= sales>pile.com; phone= ?8 -8@-,18-
@818; fa0 ?8 -8@-,18-298@/)/ or an e$uivalent e$uipment. The e$uipment shall have the
folloing minimum re$uirements=
The analog to digital resolution shall )e at least -7 )its/
The sampling fre$uency shall )e at least -+/222 6(.
Data shall )e stored such that additional processing or further ave analysis is possi)le.
Data shall )e displayed in the field for evaluations of preliminary data $uality and
interpretation.
The e$uipment shall allo attachment of a motion sensing device capa)le of measuring
acceleration/ velocity or displacement due to the impact of the pile top ith a hand held
hammer.
." Te't Per'onne$
The field testing shall )e performed )y an e0perienced technician ith at least AAA (one) year
e0perience in integrity testing. The interpretation of the records/ hoever/ re$uires e0tensive
e0perience )y a graduated engineer ith at least AAA (three) years e0perience in integrity
testing.
/" Te't Pre*#r#t)on
.or cast in place piles/ integrity testing shall not )e performed until the concrete has cured for a
minimum of seven (3) days unless otherise approved )y the engineer. The pile head shall )e
free from ater/ dirt or other de)ris. The concrete at the pile top surface must )e relatively
smooth and provide sufficient space for attaching the motion sensing device and for the
hammer impact area.
AAAAAB (-2B/ +2B/ AAAB/ 822B) of all piles shall )e integrity tested. The location of piles for
designated for integrity testing shall )e specified )y the engineer AAAA (after/ prior to) pile
installation. If less than 822B of piles are initially tested/ additional piles may )e selected for
testing at the discretion of the engineer if circumstances either during or after pile installation
should maCe a pilesD integrity suspect/ or if the initial tests reveal maEor defects.
0" Re'u$t Pre'ent#t)on
The testing engineer shall present a report ithin AAA (-/ +/ 82) orCing days after performing
the field test to provide the final test results and integrity evaluation. .or each pile tested/ the
averaged/ amplified velocity versus time record shall )e included in the report/ ith a ta)le
summari(ing results and conclusions. *dditional plots and analyses can )e included as
re$uired or suggested )y the testing engineer.
1" A((e*t#n(e #n+ Re2e(t)on
!hafts ith no significant reflections from locations a)ove the pile toe and ith a clear pile toe
reflection may )e accepted. Fhere no clear toe reflection is apparent/ the e0perienced test
engineer shall state to hich shaft depth the test appears to )e conclusive. Fhere reflections
from locations ith significant reductions in pile area or pile material strength or stiffness a)ove
the pile toe are o)served/ the pile has a serious defect. If the record is comple0/ the results may
)e deemed inconclusive. 4onstruction records (concrete usage/ grout pressure records/ soil
)orings) may )e valua)le in result interpretations or additional numerical analysis modeling may
)e used to $uantify the record. The decision to reEect and replace/ or repair/ any defective shaft
is at the sole responsi)ility of the engineer-of-record for the foundation.
3" Re%e+)#$ A(t)on
'eEected or $uestiona)le piles may )e replaced. Guestiona)le piles may also )e su)Eected to
further testing/ e.g./ static load testing/ dynamic load testing/ core drilling/ ultra-sonic logging/
etc. 'emedial action may include pressure grouting through core holes. If the pile top appears
$uestiona)le/ further pile top cut-off and retesting may )e advisa)le. If a maEority of piles
diagnose as HinconclusiveH/ partial or even complete pile e0cavation or another test method may
)e necessary for pile acceptance.