6 - App C Example Descrip & Chart - PDA-W Manual

APPENDIX C:
EXAMPLES FOR PDA

PDA Example Data
for PDA-W Operation
compiled August 1999 (March 2000 edits) by:
Pile Dynamics, Inc.

4535 Renaissance Parkway
Cleveland Ohio 44128 USA
tel: 216-831-6131
fax: 216-831-0916
email: info@pile.com
www.pile.com
(C) Copyright 1999, 2000, by Pile Dynamics, Inc.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This is intended to give a brief look into the power of the PDA in solving problems, and
to alert the user to assure good data quality. Different examples teach different ideas.
A basic knowledge of PDA operation is assumed. The PDA-W program is the basis of
this discussion. If you have not yet read the PDA-W manual, read it, and particularly
read chapter 1 on operating commands. Basically these commands are two letter
inputs; some commands cause action to occur while others require a numerical input
value or a character string (title or short name).
You should know how to input data such as pile length (below gages to pile toe; type
"LE30" to enter a length of 30) and cross sectional area (type "AR100" if area is 100,
or type just "AR" and an area calculator will assist you). LE and AR are located in upper
left of the screen, along with the pile properties Modulus EM, density SP, and wave
speed WS. For concrete and timber piles, the density SP must be entered (density may
vary from one timber pile to another so should be measured for each pile). The wave
speed WS for concrete and timber is also variable and must be measured (or
estimated). The modulus of elasticity EM is computed automatically from SP and WS.
To obtain real data you also have to enter the calibrations (A1, A2, F1, and F2) and
select the accelerometer type and perhaps the trigger channel. Let us say that strain
transducer 1876 has a PDI calibration of 106 and is attached to F1. You can enter
this in the F/V Sensors page of New input, or by the AF Icon if reprocessing old data.
Either way if a calibration has already been entered it will be recalled, or prompt you
to enter the calibration for future reference. This is a good way to always have your
calibrations with you in the field. The other sensor inputs work similarly. If you have
sensors attached, you might tap them while in Accept (Accept-Standby is selected
by the [F2] function key. Check the Offset (type OF while in Standby or click the
balance check Icon). Try the Calibration Test (type CT while in Accept, or click the
CT Icon). Read about these features in the PDA manual. Since, we will primarily
concentrate on reviewing the example data provided, we will spend no further effort
on transducers and data acquisition and instead concentrate on data review and
interpretation while in Standby (use [F2] function key to get into Standby).
Of course, to follow these data examples, you will first have to load them on your PDA.
Since your SL location is arbitrary, this discussion will use the large blow sequence
number to identify specific blows. (If you have a new PAK, the example data may
already be loaded into the C:\EXAMPLES directory)
HELP available at all times by pressing the [F1] function key (which is the most
important portion of the PDA Manual).
This text and data files contains several examples. You should go through Example 1
in great detail, as it describes many of the commonly used features and data
interpretation methods. The other examples may demonstrate certain items, or other
features, and you might want to review them. Again your understanding of Example
1 is very important. Have fun.
1
Example 1 (Bent 17-2)
Purpose: This data set has many features, such as hammer performance, stress
issues, capacity including setup and data quality. We will spend extra
effort here to fully describe many features which we will automatically
assume you know when you try other data sets. Please go through this
data set in detail.
Concrete pile (16 x 16 inch; 40.6 x 40.6 cm), prestressed

Hammer: D36.23
Soils were silts (as I recall, but really doesn't matter for these discussions)
Desired ultimate load was (500 kips; 227 T; 2230 kN)
1 For a concrete pile we are interested in compression and tension stresses. We are
almost always interested in capacity and hammer energy. For a diesel hammer, the
stroke is of interest. Therefore select appropriate "Quantity" results which include:
CSX maximum compression stress at measured location averaged for section

CSI maximum compression stress of either strain transducer
TSX maximum tension stress computed for any location below sensors
EMX maximum energy transferred to pile
FMX maximum force in pile (CSX * Area)
STK ram stroke calculated by Saximeter formula for open end diesel hammers)
RA2 ultimate capacity estimate (independent of damping assumptions)
RMX ultimate capacity estimate based on JC damping factor)
DFN final displacement at end of the blow (set)
We can accomplish this individually, for example, by entering Q3TSX to put TSX
into the third quantity Q3. To see all the output quantities and assign them to
output values, go to the View menu and select “Quantity List.” The buttons with Q
values will be grayed out, but will turn to Q3=TSX, etc. when the TSX output quantity
is selected. These selections can be made for all nine output quantities.
2 Go to the first blow of the file (actually it is BN 10). You can get to the first blow
by clicking on the button with two vertical lines and an arrowhead pointing left (||<)or
type SL1. Type RI to recall the input parameters (LE, AR, etc) for this pile.
Note that there are a few warning messages on the screen. Look at the individual
signals; type DPFV or right click on graphics area. Right clicking brings up a list
of possible graph displays. Note that this selection of outputs can also be shown
by going to the View menu, then to the “Graph Display.” From this menu, choose
“Individual Force/Velocity.” Experiment on your own with a few of the choices and
fid your favorite - DPFW is my personal favorite for routine use. This DPFV
displays all both strain (force), and both velocity signals. We see that the two
velocities have somewhat similar shapes, while the forces are different at the first
peak by more than the allowed ratio (3/4 or 4/3).
2
3 Scroll through the data. Use PgUp or the mouse wheel (if you have one) to get to
the next blow. Notice that only the F1/F2 warning box remains.
Actually, you will notice for all blows except the first that the V1/V2 warning never
shows and the two velocities are similar (one exception is BN 911/1022 [SL56]
where one velocity is obviously bad). The strains are sometimes similar (see BN
1032/1143 [SL75]; note the F1/F2 warning box is absent) and sometimes quite
different (see BN 490/601 [SL31]; note the F1/F2 warning box is present). Thus
when you see this warning, you should probably look at the individual strains using
DPFV. For BN 490/601 [SL31], you could also compare results of CSI (3.89 ksi,
26.9 MPa) versus CSX (2.86 ksi, 19.3 MPa) and see that the stress of one
sensor is significantly higher (CSI) than for the average (CSX). You might
want to set a Compression Limit (CL) of say 4 ksi or 28 MPa as a visual reminder
of what you consider a limiting stress. Type CL4, or CL28.
4 You should at some relatively early blow confirm the wave speed (find BN 70/181
[SL10] with the PgUp or PgDn; we suggest this blow as it is an early blow with good
magnitude and sharp impact.). You could now return to force and velocity (type
DPF). Perhaps expand the time scale (click the “T>” or “T<“ buttons on the
toolbar, or hit the [F8] function key). Although the force scale is automatically
selected and the scale (FS1500 or FS6000) is displayed just in the upper left of the
force plot, you could change the force scale (click the toolbar button with the
curve and red upward pointing arrow or type FS1200 or FS5000).
We prefer to use the rise-to-rise method, so you need to look at wave up and wave
down (hit the DPF/DPW special key, or press [F7], or type DPW). There are
two sets of time lines describing 2L/c. The full height dotted lines line up with the
first peak (and 2L/c later), assuming the delay DL is zero. The half height dashed
lines should line up with the start of the initial rise of the downward traveling
compression wave. We will concentrate on these dashed markers. In our case,
note that the second, or right, dashed time marker is positioned about where the
wave up curve begins to fall (this is the rise of the upward traveling tension wave).
You could adjust this marker with the left or right cursor arrows (try this and
observe also that the value WC changes; WC is located just below WS in upper
left). If you move the marker too far to the right using the right arrow, a new
warning box(BTA:) is highlighted, suggesting that there may be damage (finds a
significant relative decrease in wave up prior to the right dashed marker; a tension
wave before the end of 2L/c which must be due to an impedance reduction or
probably in this case the pile bottom).
5 The PDA has a routine which can try to find a suggested wave speed (type SW
for Select Wave speed). While it may get you close, the routine is not yet perfect
so you must review and final adjust with the left and right arrows. If you change WC,
3
you should re-enter WS to match this WC, and note that EM (Elastic Modulus) will
change with WS to meet the requirement that E = ρc2. For now the original WS is OK
(type RI to recall the original parameters, optionally change FS again as it was reset
by RI).
6 We suggest that the display be returned to force and velocity (right click on the
plots and choose or type DPF, or DPFW; we prefer DPFW). Note that the
compression stresses for this blow are within the CL limits. The tension stress TSX
is 0.58 ksi (3.9 MPa) which is below the designed prestress of 0.8 ksi (5.4 MPa).
7 The stroke STK for BN 70/181 [SL10] is 6.18 ft (1.883 m) and the energy is 17.09 kip-
ft (23.2 kN-m). What is the energy rating of the D36-23 hammer? Let's find out. Go
to the Edit menu, then select “Hammer Properties” or press Ctrl-H. In the box
that appears, click the “List” box. The box that appears is sorted by ID number.
Because DELMAG is first in the ID, D36-23 is close and can be found by scrolling
down. Click on the D36-23 line to select the hammer then click “OK.” You will be
taken to the original dialog box. Note the new inputs in the fields for the D36-23
(Ram Weight = 7.93 kips, Energy = 88.50 kip-ft). Now click “OK” to enter this
hammer selection.
Note that the measured energy for this blow is considerably less than the rating
(about 19%). You could calculate this using the Windows calculator by entering
(17.09/88.5<Enter> or 23.2/119.99<Enter>). The PDA also has an energy transfer
ratio function ETR, and so you might want to type Q9ETR and then this calculation
will be performed for every blow automatically (see the lower right corner of the
quantity result box and ETR is calculated and displayed as 0.16). Typical ETR for
open end diesel hammers is about 25% at end of driving (this blow is not yet end
of driving, so the 19%, although low, is nothing to be alarmed about, yet...).
8 You could scroll through the data using the PgUp key, but there is another way. The
PDA can automatically play the data at about one blow per second (gives you some
time to think) with the RA function (type “RA”), or go to the Options menu and
select Replay and Forward (note Slow is checked in the Replay submenu).
This can also by done by clicking the “RA” toolbar button with the green arrow
pointing right. The replay then will continue until either the end of the data set or
until you stop with the ESC key. Look at the ETR value (currently .18) then Be
ready to click the circled RA with a line through it button or hit ESC when ETR
suddenly drops (it will occur at BN 190/301 [SL16]; go back using PgDn to this blow
if you miss it). Note that the stroke reduced to only 5.57 ft (1.685 m) for BN 190/301
[SL16]. Further, the blow is much smoother, and the force amplitude is greatly
reduced. The hammer then sputtered through many blows (perhaps in response to
a specific soil layer?); at times perhaps the ram did not even hit the impact block as
there is no rapid change of slope at the first dashed time marker. The ETR of
approximately 10% is very low.
4
Note also that during this time, the capacity changes very little, the compression
stresses are reduced, and the tension stress goes to zero. The tension is zero
because the compression input is small relative to the capacity so no net tension
is obtained. Look at DPW; the downward compression is larger in the first 2L/c
than the upward tension at 2L/c, so there is no net tension.
9 Play through the rest of these blows with DPW (use either PgUp or RA) and stop on
the first blow when the ETR increases again (BN 390/501 [SL26]; ETR = 0.22). Note
that now the stroke has increased again (6.45 ft; 1.966 m), and therefore so have the
stresses; compression stresses are acceptable, although there is still bending, and
the CSI is almost 50% larger than CSX! The tension stress TSX is now about equal
to the prestress. Looking at DPW, note that the upward tension at 2L/c is greater
than the downward compression at the time of the second dashed time marker so
there is a net tension, thus the computed value of TSX.
The "Damage" warning box is displayed for this blow. It suggests a BTA of 79,
which is relatively minor. Also note F1/F2 is very low (0.38), which suggests
bending. In this case there is no splice. Look at either DPFV or DPS. Since
bending is severe, and since BTA is relatively high (89), probably the pile is not
damaged. We generally look at a series of blows; if all blows indicate damage,
then damage is possible (or you need to look at the wave speed), but if most blows
do not indicate damage, then probably the pile is undamaged.
10 If you are still on BN 390/501 [SL26], play forward through the data. At BN 450/561
[SL29] notice the very high tension TSX which is about 25% higher than the
prestress value. Continue replay; stop at BN 850/961 [SL49]. You should have
noticed that the capacity gradually increased to 455 or 409 kips (2022 or 1818
kN), but is still less than the desired ultimate, but the pile is almost fully embedded
in the soil. Now what?
During this time, the F1/F2 Bending warning disappears at BN 550/661 [SL34]
(you might want to look at DPFV through the entire sequence of blows?) as the
alignment improves or the cushion becomes uniformly compressed. Actually, you
can replay the data several times. Do this replay (maybe replay more than once)
and observe the energy, observe the capacity and observe the stresses. Note
also that the PDA determined tension stress decreases as the capacity
increases; this is typical. Also note that as the capacity increases, the relative
"velocity increase" then decreases at 2L/c (second dotted time marker).
Concrete piles should be monitored in early easy driving when resistance is low
if you are to determine what the maximum tension stresses are during driving.
11 You are now on BN 850/961 [SL49] (or go there). If you adjust the wave speed
manually (left or right arrows), you will observe that the wave speed is now slightly
slower than originally used. In fact, I would suggest a value of WC 12743 ft/s (3954
m/s). This decrease was probably caused by a very minor tension cracking of the
pile due to the high tension stresses. The cracking is not serious. WC is allowed to
5
be less than WS, since the delay is due to cracking. WS (and hence EM) should not
be changed. (You might want to review the wave speed discussion earlier in points
4 and 5 for more practice). This wave speed adjustment makes only a very minor
difference in the present case, but in more severe cases the result could be
substantially adjusted; know why and when to do this. We would suggest you look
at the wave speed discussion in the manual.
12 If you are now on BN 850/961 [SL49], please note the current storage location (the
first SL value; the second SL value is the maximum number of blows stored in the
file. Look at DPFW. Note that the force and velocity (upper plot) are nearly the
same (proportional) at the first peak, but that the velocity decreases faster than
the force so the curves progressively separate; this is the result of the soil's
passive resistance on the shaft (remember the pile is now almost fully embedded).
In the lower plot, the wave up has a gradual increase {WU = (F-ZV)/2}, where Z is
the impedance EA/c.
Let us compare with the earlier blows; go to the first blow of this example data set.
Click the “Go to Beginning” button (||<) on the toolbar or type SL1. Note that the
force and velocity are very similar for the first 2L/c between the two half height dashed
time markers. The earliest blows were with the pile shaft almost completely above
ground and thus no shaft resistance is expected. Therefore the force and velocity are
similar, and the wave up is almost flat. Play through the data (click the RA button or
type RA) and observe the effect of the shaft resistance building up as the pile is driven.
Stop at BN 890/1001 [SL51].
13 The information in the upper left text box reveals data for BN 890/1001 [SL51] was
taken on 04-Sep-91 at 3:37 p.m. As the pile was fully embedded, the capacity was
less than desired, and it was time for the afternoon crew break so we recommended
to wait and restrike the pile. At 4:11 p.m. (34 minutes later), driving was resumed.
Hit PgUp to go to the next blow after the wait. Observe the differences in the force
and velocity curves, and in the wave up. Toggle back and forth, several times if
necessary between BN 890/1001 [SL51] and BN 895/1006 [SL52] (PgDn and PgUp)
to closely observe the changes. The force and velocity difference increases, and the
wave up increases, due to the increased shaft resistance. Note also that the velocity
reflection at 2L/c (second full height dotted time marker) is greatly reduced after the
wait.
This time effect is called "set-up", and is a capacity increase due to time after
driving due to pore pressure effects and perhaps lateral earth pressure effects
(during driving the pile may move laterally due to whipping or even Poisson ratio
effects which reduce the normal forces on the pile shaft, and during the wait the
earth pressures then seek to increase the normal and thus frictional force on the
shaft). Note that the capacity (RA2 552 kips; 2454 kN, and RMX 594 kips; 2643
kN) are above the desired ultimate. In fact, if we had waited overnight, and
performed a restrike the next day we probably would observe even more capacity
increase. In some soils such as clay where porosity is low the wait period must be
6
substantial (a week or more) to have the full resistance gain, while in other cases
such as coarse sands the gain comes quickly. The soil grain size (sand, silt, clay)
effects the pore pressure change stabilization. If capacity is an issue, you will
almost always want to test some piles in restrike to assess set-up effects; in
fact, most tests for capacity are on restrike tests. You should be aware that
some soils also have rapacity reduction with time. Read the capacity discussion
in the PDA manual Appendix paper HELPFUL HINTS...
The pile could be stopped here, except perhaps for other considerations such
as settlement or minimum scour depth (pile was for a bridge over a river), and
test piles are for establishing order lengths for piles to be driven later; so, to
check for weak layer below, the pile was driven further. Play through the data
(type RA). The compression stress is near the CL compression limit.
Tensions are very near zero. The capacity increases slightly, the stroke is
about 8 ft (2.44 m), and the energy transfer ratio ETR is 0.25 to 0.30 (slightly
above average).
14 You might at this time want to return to the first blow of the data set and run
through the entire example again. In the field (or later during a reprocess of the data
as we have just done), you might want to create a "result file" which contains the
nine computation results for each blow in ASCII form; this data can be processed by
the PDAPLOT program to print and plot a summary of your test with minimal effort.
To create this file, click the File menu and select “Save SQ File.” The default file
name will be Ex-1.001. Select a new name and directory, if desired. Clicking “OK”
and saving the SQ file will cause the program to run through the entire saved data
set to make a record of each output quantity, the blow number and the time of the
blow.
15 During actual data acquisition while pile driving, or during data replay, you can insert
comments into the SQ file using the PC command (follow the PC by a short message
and then press <Enter> to execute). This is very helpful for recording field
observations and is highly suggested for your normal practice.
16 You will also need to save the data from your field test to a permanent file. To save
the data, click the save toolbar button, or go to File then click Save or press
CTRL-S. Again, choose a storage location and a file name. Note the PDA default
extension is .W01. You might want to reduce the total number of blows to reduce
excess storage (use the W- Icon).
17 You probably want to save selected blows for CAPWAP. Go to the desired blow to
save (perhaps in this case either BN 895/1006 [SL51] just after the wait, or BN
1060/1171 [SL79] at the very end (you might want to save both blows). Go to File
then click “Save CAPWAP Record...” or click the CW Icon. The next dialog box
has parameters that must be filled. Answer the questions which for our pile and
this blow, the Length Penetration is 71 ft (21.6 m), the blow count is about 84 blows
per foot (275 blows per meter; as determined by the visual observer (the set per
7
blow will be calculated from the blow count; enter either blow count or set and the
complimentary value will be calculated), DFN is taken from the PDA program for the
blow, the Pile Circumference is 4.667 ft (1.6 m), and the Bottom Area is 256 in2 or
1.777 ft2 (0.16 m2). When all the information is entered, click “Save.”
18 Good practice also plots force and velocity measurements for selected blows of
interest (e.g. end of drive, beginning of restrike..). Select the force and time scales,
then click the “pl” button on the right toolbar. Examine the output, then go to
File and Print, or click the printer button on the toolbar or press CTRL-P (only do this
now IF you have the right output device attached). The Windows Print dialog box
will appear, and the output can be printed.
19 Eventually, you will need to police your hard disk and transfer to floppy disks data
to save. This can be done in the Windows Explorer or similar programs.
20 If you have not yet read the PDA manual, now would be a good time to do this. The
reference information contained in the Appendix will help with both theory, and
practical application (particularly the HELPFUL HINTS...). Good luck.
8
Example 2 (Clark 28)
Purpose: This data set demonstrates the driving of a H pile to hard rock.
Compression stresses at the top and bottom (toe, tip) may be critical.
Steel H pile (14 x 89) Area 26 in2 (167.7 cm2)

Hammer: MKT DE 70B
Soils: really doesn't matter for these discussions, but toe (tip) will be on hard limestone
Desired ultimate load: unknown
1 For a steel pile we are interested in compression stresses (Tension stresses are
generally of no concern unless a splice is deficient). For piles driven to rock, the
bottom compression stress may be of interest. We are almost always interested
in capacity and hammer energy. For a diesel hammer, the stroke is of interest.
Therefore select appropriate "Quantity" results might include:

CSB maximum compression stress computed for pile bottom (e.g. Q3CSB)
EMX maximum energy transferred to pile (could also use EFV for more resolution)
These quantities can be assigned by going to the View menu and selecting
“Quantity List,” or by typing Q1CSX, for example.
2 Go to the first blow of the file (actually it is BN 75) by clicking the button (||<) on
the left side toolbar or type SL1. Type RI to recall the input parameters (LE, AR, etc)
for this pile.
3 View the data with the DPFW option. Note that there is a tension wave up (WU).
The capacity for this blow is only about one third the FMX maximum force value.
The compression force at the pile bottom (CSB) is very small.
4 Replay the data; type RA or click the “RA” toolbar button with the green arrow
pointing right. Note that toward the end of the drive (last blow is BN 629 [SL77]),
the stroke increases (energy EMX increases as stroke increases), the wave up
becomes a compression reflection, the bottom compression stress (CSB) becomes
significantly larger than the top stress, and the capacity is now significantly larger
than FMX. You might want to try to CAPWAP a blow from the end of drive.
5 While the data was initially taken with RMX and damping constant JC of 0.7; this
damping constant was just an initial guess. Perhaps we should look at a variety
9
of Case Method capacity predictions. We can look at several methods at one
time. Set Q4RX4, which is the RMX method with a JC of 0.4 (see F1 Help
discussion). Also set Q5RX6 and Q6RX8, which are the RMX method with JC of 0.6
and 0.8 respectively. Looking at different damping factors allows you to assess the
sensitivity to your assumption. Set Q7RA2, which is the RA2 method independent
of any JC.
6 Display DPFR and note that the dashed RS curve is zero at the first time line. Since
it is unlikely that the pile has zero resistance, this capacity is unreasonable. You
might try a couple different values of JC and watch the effect on the RS curve. One
method of selecting JC is to produce a flat RS curve. Replay the data using several
JC values. Up until the blows when this pile hits rock, a JC of 0.4 makes a
reasonably flat curve after the initial first long dotted time marker.
7 For the early blows RX4 seems probably slightly too high. RX6 and RA2 are in
general agreement. For the later blows (after pile hits rock), the RA2 method seems
conservative.
8 For all cases where capacity is marginal or an issue, we do strongly recommend a

CAPWAP analysis. In this case, since the data is from driving, a late blow (such as
any blow BN 625 [SL73] or higher, except BN 627 [SL75] which has low energy) is
the best blow to analyze by CAPWAP. CAPWAP will also compute the stresses in
the pile, so that the pile bottom stress can be further reviewed.
9 The capacity which is indicated is the capacity at the time of testing (end of driving).
It is likely, or at least possible, that the shaft resistance will increase after driving due
to set-up. Usually there would also be a restrike after some wait time (length of wait
depends on soil type) and a CAPWAP would be made on the restrike data as well.
10
Example 3 (Composite pile - Janesville)
Purpose: This example demonstrates testing a concrete filled pipe pile. The
question to answer is how to handle the data input of pile description. The
example also shows decreasing resistance as the soil is remolded during
restrike.
Steel pipe 10.75 inch O.D. with a wall of 0.3 inches (27.305 cm O.D. with wall 0.762 cm)
Steel area 9.82 in2 (63.35 cm2); concrete area 85.767 in2 (553.3 cm2)
Pile was filled with concrete after driving but before PDA testing.
Hammer: Vulcan 08 (single acting air hammer)

Soils: fine grain soils with significant clay content.
1 For all piles we are interested in compression stresses. We are almost always
interested in capacity and hammer energy. For a non-diesel hammer, the stroke
cannot be computed but blows per minute might be more interesting. Therefore
select appropriate "Quantity" results might include:

MEI maximum individual microstrain
BPM blows per minute
2 Go to the first blow of the file (actually it is BN 2) [SL1]. You can get to the first
blow clicking the (||<) button or typing SL1. Type RI to recall the input parameters
(LE, AR, etc) for this pile.
3 The first thing we can do is to find the average density. Using the equation:
SP = {A1 * S1 + A2 * S2}/{A1 + A2}
where A1 is the steel area (9.82 in2), S1 is the steel density (0.492 k/ft3), A2 is the
concrete area (85.767 in2), and S2 is the concrete density (0.150 k/ft3). Please work
through the above computations to confirm the average density for this pile (0.195
k/ft3). Type the SP value.
4 Using the same basic formula, find the estimated average modulus (use steel
modulus 30,000 ksi; concrete modulus 5,000 ksi or 34,576 MPa). The answer is
7,970 ksi {51,056 MPa} (but you really should confirm this). For an assumed
11
modulus of 4,000 ksi {27,661 MPa} for concrete, the calculated average modulus is
7,025 ksi {48,579 MPa}. Enter either modulus value; perhaps your selection of
concrete modulus will be influenced by your knowledge of the concrete strength.
Note that upon entering SP and EM, that WS will automatically change to conform
to E = ρc2.
5 Something to think about: The force is the product of strain times modulus times
area. The steel EA is about 30% of the total EA (depending on your assumption of
concrete modulus). Thus, if the steel and concrete have identical strain, then the
steel carries about 30% of the total force; this is not negligible and cannot be
ignored. The strains in both steel and concrete must be identical or any
analysis is meaningless. Think about this. Thus it is important to consider both
steel and concrete and neither can be neglected. I would suggest you drill and tap
holes into the steel for the sensor attachment; the pipe should be completely filled
with concrete and the hammer should basically strike the concrete through a
plywood pile top cushion. This procedure is further described in the "Helpful Hints"
paper in the PDA manual Appendix. Read it if you have to do this type of test.
6 Why did we do step 3 and 4 above? Because the wave speed must match the
modulus and density. We need a good estimate of the wave speed for the test.
After you do a test, you will know the wave speed. Find the wave speed from the
measured reflection from the toe (perhaps 12,600 ft/sec for this case) and enter it.
Then enter EM to calculate the corresponding new modulus (6,677 ksi).
If you take data with one assumed wave speed, and then find out that wave
speed is wrong, changing to the correct WS will correct the original false
assumption.
7 View the data with the DPFW option. The capacity is slightly lower than FMX, and
there is indication of the pile toe in the data for BN 2 [SL1] but the indication is weak.
The toe reflection becomes more clear with every additional blow as the tension
reflection from the toe becomes larger. This tension increases because the
resistance is decreasing as the soil is remolded and pore pressures increase during
the restrike. Such capacity reduction is typical for restrike tests when piles are in
clay. In fact, piles driven in clay are known to have reduced capacity and that time
is required to attain their final static capacity; this is why load tests are allowed only
after a sufficient wait period. The best correlations are achieved when the wait after
driving has been sufficiently long and an early blow is analyzed (choose an early
restrike blow for CAPWAP). While the capacity decreases during the test, it
should again recover with additional wait time and the long term service capacity
should again be most similar to the first early blows.
8 Observe how the wave up decreases during the first 2L/c from the first blows to the
last blows. Wave up reflects the shaft resistance. A linear ramp for wave up would
indicate a uniform resistance distribution along the shaft. You could also look at the
12
capacity (particularly RMX) as a function of number of blows during the restrike.
You could also look at the shaft resistance indicators (SFT and SFR) for each blow.
9 You will also observe that the final displacement DFN increases rapidly from blow
2 (0.14 inch per blow; 3.4 mm) till the end (0.47 inches per blow; 11.9 mm). It is
important in many cases to observe the blow count for several successive small
increments (blows per inch or blows per 25 mm) rather than averaged over a whole
foot (or over say 250 mm) if the restrike continues into a long redrive of the pile.
10 There is quite a bit of bending (CSI is significantly higher than CSX; you could look
at DPFV and you will have to change the force scale FS to a larger value) for all
these blows; the hammer pile alignment during restrike is more difficult to maintain
so this is quite often true. You might note that the maximum individual strain is
about 1400 microstrain (MEI), which is also a bit of a worry; can the pile survive?
Fortunately the average strain (MEX) is only about 1000 microstrain which most
materials can handle. Perhaps on other piles to be tested on site, the stroke could
be lowered or the amount of plywood pile top cushion increased.
11 Replay the data several times looking particularly at aspects of capacity decrease
as the restrike continues and their effect on the data; type RA or click the “RA”
toolbar button with the green arrow pointing right.
13
Example 4 (Stella 22)
Purpose: This data demonstrates a steel pile which suffers damage near the pile
toe (and at a splice).
Steel H pile (10 x 42) Area 12.4 in2 (80 cm2)

Hammer: Delmag D16-32
Soils: really doesn't matter for these discussions
generally of no concern unless a splice is deficient). For piles driven to rock, the
bottom compression stress may be of interest. We are almost always interested
in capacity and hammer energy. For a diesel hammer, the stroke is of interest.
Therefore select appropriate "Quantity" results might include:

CSB maximum compression stress computed for pile bottom
clicking the (||<) button or typing SL1. Type RI to recall the input parameters (LE,
AR, etc) for this pile.
3 View the data with the DPFW option. Note that there is a tension wave up (WU).
This first blow indicates some possible "damage" near the pile top. Look at the next
two blows (PgUp twice). Now there are several warnings for BN 15 [SL3] indicating
suspect data quality. Why? The best way to further investigate is to look at the
data. Type DPF to separate the curves into forces on the top axis and velocities on
the lower axis. We see that the two force signals are practically identical while the
two velocity signals are quite different.
4 Usually the velocity signals are very similar when the signals are of good quality.
Thus we can see that one of the accelerometers must be bad. If you continue
through the data you see that by BN 75 [SL10] the data is even more dissimilar. The
V2 velocity bears resemblance to the force data, while the V1 data seems unusual.
Probably the A1 accelerometer was not tightened on the pile properly and has
slipped with each blow and become progressively more loose. Turn off the V1
14
signal by clicking the AF button on the toolbar, removing the check in front of
A1 and clicking “Apply”.
It is OK to use only one accelerometer. Proper use of the PDA however almost
always requires use of two strain transducers to properly account for bending. If
it had been determined that one of the strain transducers was bad, then you
should stop the test and tighten the strain transducer, or replace it, or replace the
cable system.
5 Return to the first blow, type DPFW, and play through the data using RA. You
should also expand the time scale (press F8 function key or type TS). You will note
that the capacity increases and then decreases as the pile goes through various
"layers" and the to reflection at 2L/c changes intensity. Stop at BN 116 [SL37]
(when you see the first damage warning).
6 The damage indicator is very near the bottom (the long extra line near the 2L/c time).
The indicated LTD (length to damage is 124.48 ft; 37.94 m; which is close to the
length below sensors LE of 127 ft (38.7 m). With continue blows, note that the
damage gets progressively worse (lower BTA values) and progresses up the pile
(shorter LTD). You might want to make BTA and LTD as two of your nine computed
quantities. Stop at BN 227 [SL64] (review this sequence by PgDn and PgUp). This
damage is damage occurring near the toe (no pile toe protection was used).
7 Continue on to BN 237 [SL66]. Note that now there are two damages indicated. The
larger damage (BTA 43 is at LTD 120 ft), while the other damage (BT2 91 is at LT2
85 ft) is less severe. This second location corresponds to a splice. Continue to the
end of this data set (type RA or click the “RA” toolbar button with the green arrow
pointing right).
8 Go to the data set continuation (Example 4B). At this point, you may have noticed
that the previous pile EX-4A was finished at 7:23 PM on December 21. It was then
redriven as EX-4B the following day at 1 PM. The bad accelerometer problem was
fixed, so you can turn both accelerometers on (and look for A12 in the upper right
of the graph display box). Play the data through to BN 103 [SL34]. We see that the
"Damage" lines appear at the splice location and just prior to the toe; the wave up
decreases at the second D line, which is prior to the right half height dashed 2L/c
marker, indicating a tension reflection from before the pile bottom and this is
possible only if the toe is damaged. For steel piles, we know the wave speed very
accurately, so we are certain the pile toe is damaged.
15
Example 5 (closed end pipe to till - RTA-517)
Purpose: This data set demonstrates the driving of a steel pipe pile from soft soils into
a dense glacial till.
Steel pipe pile (14 inch O.D. x 0.312 inch wall) Area 13.4 in2 (86.5 cm2)
Hammer: Vulcan 506 single acting air hammer.
Soils: soft silt over dense glacial till.
generally of no concern unless a splice is deficient). We are almost always
interested in capacity and hammer energy. Therefore select appropriate "Quantity"
results might include:

CSB maximum compression stress computed for pile bottom
BPM blows per minute
clicking the (||<) button or typing SL1. Type RI to recall the input parameters (LE,
AR, etc) for this pile.
3 View the data with the DPFW option. Note that there is a tension wave up (WU)
and that the capacity is much lower than the input force so the final set per blow is
large (low blow count).
4 Play through the data (RA). There is a late impact of the hammer assembly which
comes earlier and earlier as the data progresses; force and velocity increase
proportionately. Starting at BN 526 [SL67], the capacity begins a relatively rapid
increase as the pile toe encounters the till layer. Note that the displacement at the
end of the blow decreases rapidly and becomes near zero at the end of the data set
(refusal driving).
16
Example 6 (Seattle)
Purpose: This data set shows the driving and damage of a prestressed concrete pile
due to high driving stresses.
Concrete octagonal pile (24 inch O.D. with 15" void) Area 300 in2 (1935.5 cm2)
Hammer: Kobe K45 single acting diesel hammer.
Soils: silts and clays.
This pile was partially installed when driving was interrupted by a time curfew. This data
is a next day redrive and includes setup which gradually reduce as driving continues.
1 This data was taken in the late 1970's with an analog tape recorder. The average
force and the average velocity were recorded; individual signals were not recorded.
Therefore, there is only a single channel of force and a single channel of velocity.
Click the AF button to change to F1 and A1 only. Actually this has already been
done, but you can confirm it with AF or look at the active sensors in the upper right
of the graphics area (A1 F1).
2 For a concrete pile we are interested in compression stresses and tension stresses.
We are almost always interested in capacity and hammer energy.
3 Determine the area for the pile (Press AR <Enter>). For an octagonal pile click the
“Octagon” tab. Enter the diameter (24 inch; 61 cm) and then the void diameter (15
inch; 38.1 cm).
4 Find the hammer (K45) using the Hammer Properties dialog box (Edit menu,
Hammer Properties). Look at stroke (STK), maximum transferred energy (EMX or
EFV), and energy transfer ratio (ETR = EMX/rating).
5 Look at driving stresses (CSX and TSX).
6 Replay the data (RA command). The first blows have the highest stroke and highest
transfer energy and then decrease slightly and remain stable for the duration of
testing. Compression stresses generally decrease slightly with the stroke. Note that
as driving continues that the capacity decreases, and the tension stresses
increase. Maximum tension stresses (BN 369) [SL68] up to 1.23 ksi (8.6 MPa) are
similar to the prestress level. The blow count was 240 blows/ft (800 bl/m); high
tensions at high blow count results from a large toe quake (confirm by CAPWAP).
7 The pile breaks suddenly during BN 408 [SL82], and is completely broken at BN
409 [SL83]. Use the LS command to find the damage location at 56 ft or 17.1
m(type LS56 or LS17.1). If you then look backward through the data (PgDn), you
will notice a slight local reduction in wave up (WU) for BN 407 [SL81] (and even
earlier blows back to about BN 369) [SL68] at what eventually becomes the break
17
location (56 ft; 17.1 m). The pile broke due to the large number of high stress blows;
there is indication in BN 408 [SL82] of two break points which could indicate the pile
had a sweep along the axis and flexure or bending was also involved. The
continued driving of a slightly damaged pile may result in a complete break.
8 You might want to replay the data set and watch the wave up curve (display DPFW)
between the two half height dashed time markers. This pile primarily has shaft
resistance and relatively little end bearing as would be expected for a pile in clay.
The wave up curve reduces from BN 2 to the end of the data set as expected due
to remolding and loss of set up during the restrike. The early BN 2 is probably most
indicative of the long term capacity.
9 The shaft friction is estimated from either SFT or SFR (display both
computations). Look in the PDA manual for a further description of the difference.
Note that SFR is dependent upon the damping constant JC.
damping constant seems too low for a clay soil. Perhaps we should look at a
variety of Case Method capacity predictions. We can look at several methods
at one time. Set Q3RP9, which is the original method with a JC of 0.9 (see F1 Help
and 0.9 respectively. Set Q6RA2, which is the RA2 method independent of any JC.
11 It appears the RP9 method is too low. Display DPFR and note that the dashed RS
curve is zero at the first time line. Since it is unlikely that the pile has zero
resistance at refusal blow count, this capacity is unreasonable. You might try a
couple different values of JC and watch the effect on the RS curve. For piles with
significant shaft resistance and little end bearing, the method of selecting JC to
produce a flat RS curve does not really work very well.
12 For the early blows RX5 seems probably too high. RX5, RX9 and RA2 are in
general agreement for the later blows (after about BN 21 [SL10] the damping factor
seems not to make much difference).
13 SFT is higher than RX9 so is likely overpredicting the shaft resistance for some of
the very early blows. The shaft resistance SFR seems reasonable, or perhaps low,
but the exact shaft resistance is always better determined by CAPWAP.
14 For all cases where capacity is marginal or an issue, we strongly recommend a

CAPWAP analysis. In this case, it would be most appropriate for an early blow
before the set up capacity gains are lost due to continued driving. Probably BN 2 is
the best blow to analyze by CAPWAP.
18
Example 7 (Hopkinson bar)
Purpose: This data demonstrates wave propagation theory in a free pile. The total
pile length is 43.6 ft (13.3 m).
1 The "pile" or "target rod" is a small diameter steel pipe which is instrumented at four
locations. The top measurement location is 41.6 ft or 12.7 m (from sensors A3 and
F1 to the bottom). The next location is 39.6 ft or 12.1 m (A4 and F2) to the bottom.
The next location is 23.25 ft or 7.1 m (A1 and F3) to the bottom. The fourth location
is the bottom itself (A2 only; strain at the free end is always zero).
2 Use the “AF” button to select various pairs of data. Set the appropriate length
for each data set. View the F and V data; also view the wave down and wave up
(use F7 function key) to see the downward compression wave and the upward
tension wave.
3 You might also determine the length of the hammer (same type pipe but with a
shorter length; answer is 18 ft or 5.5 m). This is easiest done with BN 5 [SL5] where
the digitizing frequency was the highest (20,000 Hz).
4 You could think about the wave propagation effects, and amplitudes. For example,
the bottom velocity is twice the top impact velocity. Do you know why? What is the
impact velocity of the short hammer rod for BN 5 [SL5] where the velocity at impact
(VT1) of the target rod at A3 location was 3.2 ft/sec (0.97 m/s)? (Answer is 6.4 ft/sec
or 1.94 m/s, but do you know why?).
Answer: Assume the hammer rod has a down velocity of 2 due to free fall of the
hammer; this requires a zero stress state in the hammer. In order to
satisfy continuity, both the hammer and the target rod must have the
same velocity. Also the forces must satisfy equilibrium. To satisfy
both equilibrium and continuity, compression stress waves will
propagate up the hammer and down the target rod. the particle velocity
of these waves will be 1. The up velocity of 1 in the stress wave in the
hammer superimposes on the pre-impact down velocity of 2, resulting
in a net down velocity of 1, which then matches the down velocity of 1
in the target and this satisfies continuity. You can solve these
simultaneous equations if you want to try.
19
Example 8 (Korea)
Purpose: This pile exhibits some possible relaxation (capacity reduction) with time
after driving. This is a restrike test.
Steel pipe pile driven open end (16 inch or 409 mm O.D. with 0.35 inch or 9 mm wall)
Area 17.4 in2 (112 cm2)
Hammer: Drop hammer with unknown ram weight and variable drop height.
Soils: silts
1 The first few blows inclusive of BN 5 [SL4] are of low energy and the set per blow
DFN is essentially zero. Thus these capacities are probably lower bound since
the full soil resistance was not activated. Ideally, in relaxation cases it is
desirable to have high energy blows right at the beginning, but this was unfortunately
not done.
2 For blow 6 (BN 6 [SL5]) the energy was about double and there is measurable set
per blow of 0.37 inch (9.4 mm). The capacity indicated is slightly over 500 kips (over
2250 kN).
3 For BN 7 [which has been eliminated from the data set], the energy was very small
and the BPM is very high. This is a "second hit" or "rebound blow". The hammer
strikes in BN 6 and then bounces and strikes again in BN 7. If the Max Blow Rate
had been set to say 100 BPM during data collection, this "false blow" would
not have been acquired. The Max Blow Rate can be set during PDA startup, or
using the MB command (e.g. MB100<Enter>).
4 Blows 8, 9 and 10 [SL6,7,8] show increasing energy and increasing capacity. BN

11 [SL9] has similar capacity to BN 10 but has a lower energy. Continued blows
show a gradual increase in capacity (to over 600 kips or over 2660 kN by the end of
the data set) with similar energy input. These capacity gains may result from
negative pore pressures at the pile toe caused by dilation of the soil during the short
time. Relaxation in shales may come from reduction of normal pressures after
installation.
It is possible that the pile is gaining capacity with depth and that this is not
relaxation.
5 Ideally to determine if this is a relaxation case, a higher energy should be

applied as early as possible, preferably by the second blow. Then if the
capacity increases very rapidly as the energy holds constant, then relaxation
is present. Thus we are looking for an early "high energy" blow. The service
capacity would be more like this early blow; the capacity gains with increasing
blows will likely be lost again after the test as soil pressures equalize.
20
Example 9 (Spiral welded pipe)
Purpose: This example includes two spiral welded pipes. Stresses are nonuniform
(requiring 4 strain measurements) on one pile and uniform on the other
(normal 2 strain acquisition would be fine).
Steel spiral weld pipe Area 65.2 in2 (420.6 cm2)

Hammer: IHC S70 double acting hydraulic
Soils: unknown
For spiral weld pipes, you should try to drill as far away from the welds as
possible as this is a potential nonuniformity (in some piles the walls do not perfectly
align on either side of the weld).
1 For Example 9A (pile TP7), the strains are nonuniform. Look at DPS for any blow
other than BN 1, BN 10, or maybe BN 12 (for these 3 blows only [SL1, 10, 12] the
F3 and F4 are similar).
2 Look at the average force (DPF mode) from either "pair" of diagonally opposite
strains for most blows (say F1 and F2 only) and then look at the other "pair" (F3 and
F4) and you will note that they are quite different. Turn strain transducers off or
on with the “AF” button. Data for either single pair looks odd compared with the
velocity.
3 Compare this with the same type of analysis for Example 9B (pile TP5) where the
stresses for all four are similar (DPS) and the average force is relatively unaffected
by strain pair selection, and appears smooth and reasonable compared with the
velocity.
4 It is clear that for Example 9A, that if all four strain transducers are used the average
force is then similar to the average force for Example 9B (a sister pile). So we may
conclude that taking 4 strain readings helps improve data quality in difficult
cases such as spiral welded pipe piles. Four strain transducers also usually
is a good idea for large diameter drilled shafts.
21
Example 10 (problem pile 16C)
Purpose: This 14 blow restrike shows a spliced mechanically jointed pile with a gap
at the joint. There are also a data quality problem. Several piles on site
had suspected problems due to pile excavation and/or pile heave.
Regularly reinforced concrete (15.75 inch or 40 cm section), Area: 248 in2 or 1600 cm2
Hammer: BSP 7 ton hydraulic Soils: unknown; Desired ultimate load: unknown
1 First note there is a data quality problem. The "Proportionality box" [F/V warning] is
ON and this is serious. The "V1/V2 warning is also displayed. The best way is to
inspect the data first with the DPFV command. The two velocities are quite
different which is very unusual; generally they are nearly identical even in high
bending situations. This indicates that one or the other is probably in error.
2 We then see that the two strains for BN 1 are quite different due to bending
(coincidentally the strains are nearly the same at the first time marker so that the
F1/F2 box is OFF, although the stresses CSI and CSX are clearly different.
3 Returning to the velocity difference, it is now best to display DPV which shows the
individual velocities along with the average velocity and average force. From this
display, the V1 curve looks low while the V2 curve is reasonable. Turn off the
A1 accelerometer with “AF” button and the two warning boxes (Proportionality
and V1/V2) disappear. The data is now proportional and looks reasonable. The V1
accelerometer was not oriented axially along the pile axis. We can correct the
amplitude by entering the AF ICON, and then applying a “Reply Factor” of about 3.3
to ALL blows in this data set and activating the accelerometer again since it now
looks identical. This factor represents the inverse of the cosine of the alignment
error angle. Now we can proceed with the analysis of the pile.
4 With DPFW displayed, BN 1 shows a clear major damage at about 82 ft or 25 m (use

the LS command to locate). There is no observable pile toe reflection at 151.6
ft or 46.2 m. A small defect at another splice location (37.7 ft or 11.5 m) can also be
seen (perhaps change the force scale to half or less of the default value to enlarge
the data and see the minor defect more clearly.
5 BN 2 still shows the damage, but the size of the major damage reflection at 82 ft or
25 m is reduced. BN 3 and BN 4 are perhaps similar. BN 5 is a higher energy blow
and the pile toe reflection is now quite apparent. Continued blows show less of
the defect at 82 ft o 25 m, and by the last blow BN 14 this defect is almost absent.
6 There probably was a large initial gap which was sequentially closed during
subsequent blows. The gap could be caused during excavation. There is still cause
for concern if the pile is subject to tension or lateral loading. In compression, the
long term condition is unproven. Perhaps the pile should be rejected.
22
Example 11 (Clipdata)
Purpose: This example includes three pipe piles. Stresses are nonuniform and data
quality is a major problem.
Steel pipe Area 10.1 in2 (65 cm2)

Hammer: Delmag D30-32 single acting diesel
Soils: unknown
1 The data for these piles has both the F1/F2 warning box and the "signal may be
clipped" box. For the display DPF or DPFW, while the initial force and velocity data
for BN 1 is reasonable, playing the data for the first 6 blows of Example 11A shows
quite different average force versus average velocity for each blow. For blow 4
[SL4], the Proportionality warning [F/V warning] is given.
2 Since it seems to be a force problem, type DPS to display the individual strains.
You may have to hit the HOME key also so that you see the average force and
velocity in the upper half of the graph and the individual F1 and F2 in the lower half
of the graph.
3 Clearly the F1 signal is very high and has an unusual flat spot at the peak. The PAK
has a wide balancing range, but the offset (OF) was probably too high and thus
when the dynamic data is superimposed the peak is then out of range for the A/D
convertor. Perhaps the sensor may have worked better if the OF was less than
5 v as suggested by the PDA manual.
4 The maximum stress for this sensor was very high: at least 55 ksi (380 MPa),
perhaps above the yield strength of the pipe. Playing through the data (RA), the
F1 and F2 data remain quite different due to bending, but the signal clipping
disappears for many blows in the middle of the data set. If any blows are to be
analyzed, then select one of these where the "Signal may be Clipped" box is absent.
5 The other piles (Example 11B and 11C; example 11C is particularly dramatic) from
the same job site show similar problems.
23
Example 12 (PSC Toe Damage)
due to driving obstructions or driving stresses above the concrete strength.
Also the wave speed needs adjustment.
Square concrete pile (18 inch or 45.7 cm O.D.) Area 324 in 2 (2090 cm2)
Hammer: unknown air hammer
Soils: unknown.
1 For BN 1 [SL1], display DPFW. Note that the wave up fall is delayed slightly
compared with the second short dashed time marker. Use the right arrow to adjust
the wave speed to align the right short dashed time marker with the fall of the
wave up (the first dashed marker is aligned with the start of the wave down (or force
and velocity initial rise). We suggest the WC value (displayed just below the WS
value) should then be about 12,600 ft/s (3841 m/s).
2 Type WS12600 or WS3841. Note the automatic change in EM.
3 The original strain was multiplied by the original WS (13,253 or 4039) to produce a
proportional scale. Since the determined wave speed is different, the PDA-W
program automatically adjusts for the changed WS assumption in the strain data.
4 The capacity is very low for the first blows. The wave up is flat between the dashed
time markers indicating zero shaft resistance. The compression stresses CSX and
CSI are low. The tension stress TSX is acceptable considering that it is slightly less
than the prestress. Play the data (RA) through BN 289 [SL27].
5 Beginning at BN 289 [SL27] through BN 389 [SL37] note that the capacity increases
rapidly by a factor of 8 (from about 100 kips to about 800 kips). The tension wave
up at 2L/c changes into a compression reflection.
6 At BN 399 [SL38], the tension wave suddenly reappears and the capacity reduces
by a factor of 3 (to 270 kips). By BN 409 [SL39], it appears that the 2L/c should be
slightly less and by BN 419 [SL40] and then BN 429 [SL41] the wave up fall occurs
earlier still. Since WS or the wave speed c did not increase, then L or LE must have
decreased. Using the LS function we can determine a new shorter pile length of 42
ft or 12.8 m (type LS42 or LS12.8 for BN 429 [SL41] and observe that LS lines up
with the begin of the wave up fall).
7 Toward the end of the data, the length again becomes shorter still (LS of 39 ft or
11.9 m).
24
Example 13 (MBA Drilled shaft)
Purpose: To demonstrate data taken on a drilled shaft.
Shaft: 16 inch or 61 cm OD.

Hammer: Drop hammer with variable height.
1 A series of blows of increasing drop height was applied. First a relatively low drop
was given to check overall integrity of the shaft, alignment of the hammer, and stress
levels. Display DAS and look at all four strain signals (four strain signal data is
recommended for drilled shaft testing). Bending is minor in the F1/F2 axis, but
relatively large in F3/F4. The alignment in the F3/F4 axis was adjusted and the
difference was reduced for subsequent blows.
2 The Proportionality box is ON. It is ON primarily because of the plywood cushion

used to protect the shaft top causes a slow rise time. Display DPFW and the wave
up curve is smooth through the impact zone; this indicates good data so the
Proportionality warning can be in this case safely ignored.
3 Replay the data. The subsequent higher drops create ever higher stresses, larger
final displacements and higher capacities. We suggest you may want to CAPWAP
this data, perhaps using the Multiple Blow Analysis (MBA) or Radiation Damping
analyses.
25
Example 14 (Fail2)
Purpose: This data set demonstrates testing SPT hammers. Two different
penetration depths are given (25 and 30 ft depths as included in the title).
SPT AW rod (Area 1.1 in2 (7.1 cm2)

Hammer: Safety hammer.
1 SPT testing may be performed with a PDA. For data quality reasons, we do
recommend special instrumented drill rod sections with foil gages glued directly
to the rod rather than strain transducers (contact PDI). If you want to test AW rods,
then you need an instrumented AW section. If you want to test NW rods, you need
an instrumented NW rod. The instrumented section must match the rod type you
plan to test, otherwise undesired reflections are generated which corrupt the data.
2 For this test there was only one active strain bridge glued to the instrumented
section. Turn off F3 and use only F4 with the AF button. The F1/F2 warning
disappears (ignore the "always use 2 strain" message). For uniform rods and good
data, the force and velocity should be more or less identical for the first 2L/c as in
the present case.
3 Expand the time scale with the TS command or the F8 function key. The force rises
slightly before the velocity. Shift the velocity negative (left) by one time increment
with the VT-1 command.
4 The rated energy of a safety hammer is 0.35 kip-ft (.475 kN-m). Enter this rating in
the Hammer Properties dialog box (Edit, then Hammer Properties). You can name
the hammer “Safety” if you desire, but Rated Energy = 0.35 kip-ft. The maximum
transferred energy (EMX) has only two significant digits. A third may be desired,
and can be added by going to the Edit Menu and selecting “Output Quantities.” Click
“Energy in the Output Class list, then select “EMX” from the OQ list. Finally, change
the precision using the arrows in the Precision box. Note that the ETR is about 50%
(relatively low efficiency for SPT).
5 You may also calculate EF2 which is the direct integral of force squared (no
correction factors applied as per ASTM D 4633; you may apply the factors to this
result if you so choose). The time ratio as per ASTM D 4633 is given by the quantity
RAT.
6 As you will note EF2 is slightly higher than EFV, partly due to the connectors and
partly due to the rise time. For parallel wall pipe and uniform rod size throughout,
EFV and EF2 will be generally similar. For "upset" wall pipe, the force in the rod is
reduced and velocity increased relative to each other because of the reduction in rod
section causing a tension reflection. For upset walled pipe, the EF2 computation is
then in error theoretically and only the EFV method is reliable.
26
Example 15 (Data Spikes)
Purpose: Data quality is a major problem
Steel H pile Area 15.5 in2 (100 cm2)

Hammer: Ice 42S single acting diesel
Soils: unknown
1 This data has numerous problems which cause numerous warnings. First it is noted
that there are 4 strain and 4 acceleration channels. Replay the data (RA) and note
that the data with all sensors active is poor.
2 Investigate the strain data first. Display DPFV and review the data. It appears there
may be at least one and maybe two usable strain signals. Try to find the good
signals by turning off the bad units with the AF button. Except for blows BN 1 and
BN 2, the F1 and F3 look reasonable and very similar to each other.
3 The velocity data (DPV) is very consistent for all blows.
4 Display DPFW or DPF and replay the data. Data is now acceptable for further use.
27
Example 16 (Till->Rock)
Purpose: This example includes a pipe pile driven to rock.
Steel closed end pipe (16 inch or 40.65 cm OD) Area 24.3 in2 (157.1 cm2)
Hammer: Kobe K22 single acting diesel
Soils: unknown
1 For a steel pile driven to rock, the bottom compression stress may become important
so select CSB quantity for display.
2 Find the energy rating for this hammer (ER) using the Hammer Properties Table.
3 Note that the CSI is higher than CSX and the F1/F2 box is ON. Look at DPS.
Replay the data (RA button). The driving was interrupted at BN 544 [SL55] (stop at
12:10 and restart at 12:16) to adjust alignment. Note that after BN 546 [SL56], the
individual strains are then very similar. This is important to have good hammer pile
alignment for high stress conditions like driving to rock.
4 Return to the first blow of the data set. Observe that the capacity is less than FMX,
and that there is a tension reflection at 2L/c. As driving continues the FMX
increases as the stroke STK also increases in response to the capacity increase.
Eventually the capacity increases to above the maximum force.
5 Note that for blows on rock that the bottom stress CSB is higher than the top stress
CSX. If the bottom hits the rock unevenly (it is NOT likely that the pile bottom and
the rock surface are parallel), then there will be additional stress concentrations at
the bottom. It is important to be careful not to overdrive steel piles to rock. A high
yield strength of the steel should be specified whenever possible. Pipe piles should
be visually inspected prior to concreting.
28
Example 17 (Cl-Sa > Limestone)
Purpose: This example includes a pipe pile driven to rock. Some hammer variability.
Steel closed end pipe (10.75 inch or 27.3 cm OD by 0.25 inch or .64 cm wall)
Area 8.3 in2 (53.3 cm2)
Hammer: Vulcan 06 single acting air
Soils: weak clayey silty sand over limestone @ 72'
Desired ultimate load: unknown (GRL job 963079)
2 Find the energy rating for this hammer (ER).
3 For the first blow of the data set [SL1], observe that the capacity is much less than
FMX, and that there is a large tension reflection at 2L/c. Actually, from display DPW
we see that the wave up is almost a mirror image of the wave down 2L/c earlier (this
is common for piles with extremely small resistance). The set per blow is large.
4 Replay the data (RA). Note the rapid change between BN 73 [SL33] and BN 76
[SL36] as the pile encounters rock. The capacity increases dramatically, and the
tension reflection changes to a compression reflection. The set per blow decreases
from 1.4 inch per blow to essentially refusal (for some unknown reason the data
quality of BN 76 [SL36] and 77 [SL37] is suspect - display DPFW or DPF - so we
suggest making the comparison with BN 78 [SL38] where data quality is good).
5 The capacity RMX increases to above the maximum force FMX once the pile bottom
hits rock. Note that for blows on rock that the bottom stress CSB is higher than the
top stress CSX. If the bottom hits the rock unevenly (it is NOT likely that the pile
bottom and the rock surface are parallel), then there will be additional stress
concentrations at the bottom. It is important to be careful not to overdrive steel
piles to rock. A high yield strength of the steel should be specified whenever
possible. Pipe piles should be visually inspected prior to concreting.
6 It is interesting to note that prior to rock (BN 70 to 73 [SL30 to SL33]) the force at
impact (FT1) was about 195 kips (870 kN). After encountering rock (BN 78 [SL38]),
the impact force (FT1) was about the same while the force at 2L/c had increased
to 250 kips or 1110 kN. The highest pile top stress was due to the upward
compression wave superimposing on the incoming stress wave from the hammer
impact. The top stress was now about equal to the usual allowable yield strength
of mild steel (90% of F'y). It is very good that the hammer pile alignment is good and
that CSI and CSX are similar. Otherwise, the pile top could be damaged by high
local contact or bending stresses.
29
Pile driving on damaged pile tops should not be allowed as top damage acts as a
spring and absorbs useful energy and causes a false increase in the blow count.
7 It is interesting to observe the hammer performance for this pile. The hammer was
run at reduced pressure for the early blows and the BPM rate was lower (about 45
BPM), and stroke was also relatively low. The energy transfer ratio ETR is less than
50% for the early blows. The stress at impact is about 20 ksi (140 MPa).
8 After the beginning blows, the supplied air pressure and volume was increased (by
BN 47 [SL7]) and the BPM increased to about 55 blows per minute (BPM) and the
transferred energy ratio ETR increased to over 55% (EMX about 11 kip-ft or 15 kJ).
9 It is interesting that after the pile bottom hit rock (BN 78 [SL38] and later), the energy
transferred became quite variable from blow to blow. While the larger blows had
similar energy transfer, there were many smaller blows with considerably less
energy transferred. It appears there was great difficulty in keeping the hammer
running at a consistently high performance level; often in these cases, the hammer
tries to lift off the pile (called "racking") and the pressure/volume must be adjusted.
10 Air hammers are not constant stroke but depend upon both pressure and resistance.
The air pressure for raising the ram is delivered only for about the first half of the
stroke. The valve is then turned off and ram coasts upward against gravity, reaching
full stroke before dropping due to gravity. Before impact the pressure valve is
activated to lift the ram for the next stroke. The hammer cushion thickness and
valve timing must be correct for proper air hammer operation.
30
Example 18 (2 Breaks)
Square concrete pile (14 inch or 35.6 cm O.D.) Area 196 in2 (1265 cm2)
Hammer: ICE 640 double acting diesel hammer; 4 inch (10 cm) plywood pile cushion
Soils: soft overburden over a hard layer at about 50 to 55 ft depth
1 The pile begins with easy driving. The Warning Box for early blows with little friction,
and particularly driven by diesel hammers, can be ignored if the wave up between
the two short dashed time markers is basically flat (display DPFW). This is
particularly true when the BTA value is near or above 90% as is the case here.
If the dashed time markers are not apparent, they may be activated by the
changing the time marker color by clicking on the “Color” button.
2 Replay the data (RA). For blows up to BN 305 [SL38], the driving is normal. The
stresses CSX and TSX are low through about BN 281 [SL35], and then the capacity
and CSX stress both gradually increase to BN 337 [SL42]. Although the F1/F2
warning is not present, the CSI indicates considerable bending (display DPS -
separate the curves with the HOME key if necessary).
3 From BN 345 [SL43] through BN 369 [SL46], the BTA value rapidly decreases to
51%, indicating substantial damage. The damage is located about 60 ft or 18.3 m
below the sensors. You might use LS60 or LS18.3 to locate this damage. Perhaps
the pile broke due to excessive bending as the pile was driven into the hard layer
which held the pile bottom and prevented its further lateral movement.
4 From BN 473 [SL59] through BN 505 [SL63], a second damage occurs and the BTA
decreases to 47%. This damage is located at 50 ft or 15.4 m. Use LS50 or LS15.4
to locate.
5 Note that once a pile becomes severely damaged, the capacity calculation with
the original length is in error as the warning message clearly says. Using the
shorter length to damage may give a better temporary capacity estimate, but
we suggest that the pile be rejected as its long term serviceability cannot be
assured.
31
Example 19 (CEP with Splices)
Purpose: This example includes a pipe pile with several splices.
Steel closed end pipe (20 inch or 50.8 cm OD) Area 23.1 in2 (149.2 cm2)
Hammer: Conmaco 100E5 single acting air
Soils: unknown
1 Pile is spliced several times. Up to BN 12/363 [SL13], the total pile length is 50 ft or
15.25 m. The length below sensors to the bottom is 47 ft or 14.3 m.
2 At BN 18/18 [SL14], the length is increased by 50 ft or another 15.25 m, making the

length below sensors 97 ft or 29.6 m. Use RI (or the F11 function key) to recall the
new length, and note the two hour delay in the date and time.
3 At BN 4/369 [SL30], the length is increased by 50 ft or another 15.25 m, making the

length below sensors 147 ft or 44.8 m. Use RI and note the delay in the date record.
4 At BN 16/761 [SL59] the length is increased by 50 ft or another 15.25 m, making the

length below sensors 197 ft or 60.0 m. Use RI.
32
Example 20 (Top Yield)
Purpose: This example pipe pile is driven with eccentric impacts causing pile top
damage. Shaft resistance and damping constant sensitivity are
discussed.
Steel closed end pipe (12.75 inch or 32.4 cm OD by 0.25 inch or .64 cm wall)
Area 9.8 in2 (63.2 cm2)
Hammer: Delmag D12-32 single acting diesel
Soils: clays, pile fully embedded; sensors at ground surface
1 The F1/F2 and V1/V2 warning boxes are shown so display DPFV. There is a large
force difference. Hammer pile alignment is poor.
2 The CSI value is well above CSX and CSI is near or above the yield stress for most
pipe piles. For BN 7 [SL1], the F3 curve does not return to near zero. It appears
likely that the pile has suffered some yielding and thus a permanent strain. BN 8
[SL2] also has a permanent strain offset at the end of the blow.
3 From BN 9 [SL3] through BN 16 [SL10], notice how the two strain signals become
more similar with each blow. The yielding for these blows is probably right at the pile
top as the end strains return to near zero. The pile top is probably now bulging or
mushrooming at the top. Such pile top damage evens out the impact creating its
own uniform stress condition.
The velocities also become more similar. It appears that the initial velocity
difference was due to pile yielding and not to calibration or attachment problems.
4 It is wise to not attach too close to pile tops. Yielding the pile could cause
permanent damage to your strain transducers.
5 Later blows (BN 15 [SL9] and higher) suggest a small strain offset at the end of each
blow. Since the PDA automatically balances the strain between each blow (strain
is zero at begin of each blow as you can verify), the accumulation of many blows
each with a small permanent strain could eventually lead to a large total cumulative
strain and thus strain transducer damage. It is suggested that restrikes be limited
to a few blows to prevent damage. Restrikes of more than a few blows should be
undertaken only if hammer pile alignment is good (bending is confirmed small by
F1/F2) and there is some need for more blows.
6 You might want to replay the data set and watch the wave up curve (display DPFW).
This pile primarily has shaft resistance and relatively little end bearing as would be
expected for a pile in clay. The wave up curve reduces slightly from BN 8 to BN 31
[SL2 to SL25] as expected due to remolding and loss of set up during the restrike.
The early BN 8 [SL2] is probably most indicative of the long term capacity.
33
7 The shaft friction is estimated from either SFT or SFR (display both
computations). Look at the F1 Help under "Results-Capacity" for a further
description of the difference. Note that SFR is dependent upon the damping
constant JC.
damping constant seems too low for a clay soil. Perhaps we should look at a
variety of Case Method capacity predictions. We can look at several methods
at one time. Set Q3RP9, which is the original method with a JC of 0.9 (see F1 Help
and 0.9 respectively. Set Q6RA2, which is the RA2 method independent of any JC.
9 It appears the RX5 method is too high. RP9, RX9 and RA2 are in general
agreement. SFT is higher than RX9 so likely is overpredicting the shaft resistance
while SFR seems reasonable.
10 For all cases where capacity is marginal or an issue, we do strongly recommend a

CAPWAP analysis. In this case, it would be most appropriate for an early blow
before the set up capacity gains are lost due to continued driving. However, we
should not analyze the really early blows with obvious yielding (BN 7 and 8 do not
return the force to zero at end of record). Perhaps BN 10 [SL4] is a satisfactory blow
to analyze by CAPWAP.
34
Example 21 (Setup)
Purpose: This data set shows the driving of a prestressed concrete pile, and
subsequent capacity increases due to setup demonstrated by restrikes
after 1 day and 75 days. Also the wave speed needs adjustment.
Hammer: Kobe K35
Soils: top 20' below reference in water; then in clayey sand soils
1 For BN 781 [SL1], display DPFW. Note that the wave up fall is delayed slightly
compared with the second short dashed time marker. Use the right arrow to adjust
the wave speed to align the right short dashed time marker with the fall of the
wave up (the first dashed marker is aligned with the start of the wave down (or force
and velocity initial rise). We suggest the WC value (displayed just below the WS
value) should then be about 11,500 ft/s (3506 m/s).
2 Type WS11500 or WS3506. Again, note the automatic recalculation of EM.
3 The original strain was multiplied by the original WS (12,200 or 3720) to produce a
proportional scale. Since the determined wave speed is different, The program
PDA-W has already now adjusted for the incorrect WS field assumption in the strain
data.
4 The data from EX-21A is from only the end of driving (BN 781 [SL1] at penetration
85 ft below reference to BN 855 [SL16] at penetration 94 ft). The stroke STK is low,
and the blow count is very low (large set per blow - display DPFW). The Case
method capacity is also low, probably well below the design load. The capacity is
also quite sensitive to the selected damping constant (try Q4RX4, Q5RX6, Q6RX8
and RA2). Probably only CAPWAP can determine what the capacity is at the end
of driving.
5 Because of the low stroke, the compression driving stress CSX is also quite low
compared with the pile compressive strength. The CSI value is generally only
slightly higher than CSX indicating good alignment (at least in the axis of
measurement).
6 Tension stress TSX is relatively high at 0.80 to 0.89 ksi (5.5 to 6.3 MPa). In fact,
although the prestress level is unknown, these stresses are likely to be
approximately the same as the prestress. This pile might have even seen higher
tension stresses in earlier blows. Notice that the width of the wave up curve for the
tension wave (or the velocity) at 2L/c is wider than the input wave (force or velocity
at impact), and the shape is different. This is a sign of minor tension cracking.
35
7 Data from EX-21B is from a restrike one day after driving (the reference elevation
changed due to tide). Note, you still need to use the new wave speed (11,500 or
3506) and new modulus.
8 There is a dramatic capacity increase (at least double) from the end of driving
to the one day restrike. The shaft resistance is also increased (compare SFT from
EOD to BOR; End of Drive to Begin of Restrike). The capacity and shaft resistance
decrease slightly during the test.
9 Data from EX-21C is from a restrike 75 days after driving. Note, you still need to use
the new wave speed (11,500 or 3506) and new modulus.
10 There is a further capacity increase (at least double) from the one day restrike
to the 75 day restrike. The shaft resistance is also increased (compare SFT). The
capacity and shaft resistance for the first few blows are relatively low. The later
blows appear to give more reasonable results for capacity. The shaft resistance is
reflected in the wave up curve. The higher the wave up between the two half height
dashed time markers, the higher the shaft resistance. The wave up is generally
proportional to the integral of the resistance so also reflects the location of the
resistance along the shaft. The PDA manual has further details.
11 The RA2 method appears to be unreasonably low. Since the velocity is negative
substantially before 2L/c, the upper soils may be unloading early and you could
consider the RSU capacity method (see manual for further details.) Of course,
CAPWAP should be performed to confirm any capacity evaluation.
36
Example 22 (Marine)
after both a very brief stop and after 5 days. The pile is slightly nonuniform.
Octagonal concrete pile (20 inch or 50.8 cm O.D.) Top 8' has six 2" OD Dowel bar holes
Area at gages 312 in2 (2013 cm2). Solid section has area of 331 in2.
Hammer: Delmag D46-23
Pile: F'c of 8 ksi (55 MPa) and a prestress of 1.2 ksi (8.4 MPa)
Soils: top 20' below reference in water; then in clayey sand soils
Desired ultimate load: 600 kips (2675 kN) compression and 250 kips (1115 kN) uplift
1 For BN 1, display DPFW. The capacity is very low. The compression stresses CSX
and CSI are reasonable. The tension stress TSX is acceptable, although for BN 4
[SL2], the tension is about equal to the prestress, and the tension exceeds the
prestress for BN 25 [SL5] through BN 40 [SL6] (1.34 ksi; 9.4 MPa) and 1.41 ksi (9.9)
for BN 100 [SL10].
2 Replay the data (RA) and stop at BN 160 [SL14]. The stroke STK is low, and the
blow count is very low (large set per blow - display DPFW). The Case method
capacity is also low, probably well below the design load. The capacity is also quite
sensitive to the selected damping constant (try Q4RX4, Q5RX6, Q6RX8 and RA2).
Probably only CAPWAP can determine what the capacity is during driving.
3 Because of the low stroke, the compression driving stress CSX is also quite low
compared with the pile compressive strength. The CSI value is generally only
slightly higher than CSX indicating good alignment (at least in the axis of
measurement).
4 There was a short stop time (about 7 minutes) between BN 160 [SL14] and BN 205
[SL15] (not every blow is recorded in this data set). Note the very strong capacity
increase; probably the RX4 method has too low a damping constant.
5 Observe that because of the large capacity increase, the tension is reduced to
practically zero. With continued blows note that as the stroke increases (probably
the fuel throttle setting was increased), the compression stresses increase
accordingly. CSX reaches 4.45 ksi or 30.8 MPa near end of driving. The allowable
compression stress is 85% of F'c minus the prestress or 5.6 ksi or 38.8 MPa.
6 Since capacity remains similar from BN 205 [SL15] to the end of data, the tension
increases (up to 1.47 ksi or 10.4 MPa) due to the larger input compression wave.
37
7 The capacity at the end of initial drive (BN 831 [SL32]) is only at best half the
desired ultimate capacity. We will stop and wait for capacity to increase, and
test later during restrike.
8 The force and velocity are non-proportional at the peak. This is due partly to the
diesel hammer, but also due to the nonuniform section 8 ft below the sensors.
Assume the pile is uniform during data collection and then model nonuniformity with
CAPWAP to find capacity.
9 There is a dramatic capacity increase (at least double) from the end of drive (July
5 EX-22a) to the five day restrike (July 10 EX-22b). You can compare both
simultaneously in PDA-W by using the Windows/”Tile Horizontal” feature of the
menu bar. The shaft resistance is increased (compare SFT).
The capacity and shaft resistance for the first blow are relatively low. Diesel
hammers generally give a low result for the first blow since the stroke is limited to
the trip stroke. The later blows have a higher stroke and give more reasonable
results for capacity (we would suggest BN 2 or BN 3 [SL2 or SL3] as the most
representative for service load conditions).
10 The RA2 method appears to be unreasonably low. Since the velocity is negative
before 2L/c, the upper soils may be unloading early and the RSU capacity method
may be applicable.
11 The shaft resistance is reflected in the wave up curve. The higher the wave up
between the two half height dashed time markers, the higher the shaft resistance.
The wave up is generally proportional to the integral of the shaft resistance so
also reflects the resistance location along the shaft. The PDA manual has further
details.
12 It would possibly appear that both compressive and uplift capacity of this pile
exceeds the required resistances. Possibly further wait time would result in further
capacity increases. CAPWAP should of course be performed to evaluate
capacity.
13 Display DPFW. Change the time scale to view the entire record with the “TS<“
button or by pressing F8. Go to BN 15 [SL10] of EX-22B and note that the final
displacement is very negative (DFN or look at displacement graph on the full time
scale). The PDA normally adjusts the velocity record to zero at the very end of the
data using the VA and VE parameters (see manual). Normally VE is 1024 (the last
point in the data). You can select a different ending point for the velocity by
changing the VE value (e.g. VE570 would make the 570th point the location of zero
velocity). Note also that there is a negative only solid marker showing the location
of the new VE and that VE will be in bold if VE becomes less than 500. Values
around either 800 or 580 give more reasonable displacement adjustments.
38
14 If the data is basically zero for the last half of the record, you could change the
sampling frequency to a higher rate. A higher rate at a fixed 1024 point sample
results in a shorter time. Do not automatically make this change without first
inspecting the data. (Note: you can only change sampling frequency for new data;
the sample frequency for existing data like this cannot be changed.)
39
Example 23 (Fill - Basalt)
Purpose: This example includes an H pipe pile driven to hard rock. There were also
errors made in entry of sensor calibrations. The hammer stroke was
reduced to control stresses.
H pile 12x63 Area 18.4 in2 (118.7 cm2) normal A36 steel.
Hammer: Bermingham B3505 single acting diesel
Soils: Fill and Saprolyte over Basalt bedrock.
During pile driving the following Blow counts 7,6,9,10,42,41 BPF then 10 BPI were
observed and recorded. After a short break another 10 blows were applied.
2 Find the energy rating for this hammer (ER).
3 The first blow is the start up blow from the trip height drop. For diesels, the second
and later blows usually have higher stroke. Go to BN 2 [SL2].
4 For BN 2 [SL2], observe that the capacity is much less than FMX, and that there is
a large tension reflection at 2L/c. Actually, from display DPW we see that the wave
up is almost a mirror image of the wave down 2L/c earlier (this is common for piles
with extremely small resistance). The wave up is not flat between the two short
dashed time markers, suggesting data quality problems. The set per blow is large.
5 The V1/V2 warning box is displayed. If you replay the data (RA), you note that this
warning is present for each and every blow. (The bending/damage warning is also
present for most blows).
6 Display DPFV (separate the curves if necessary with HOME). Note that the two
strains are similar (they are mounted back to back in the center of the web), but the
velocities are very different. Further neither is in proportionality with the strain
(one is too high and the other too low), so neither velocity is correct as is and
simply turning one or the other OFF will not solve the problem. An error was made
in entering the calibrations for the two accelerometers.
7 Using the AF Icon, find the entered calibrations (A3 of 435 and A4 of 285). Actually
the calibrations should be reversed (A3 should be 285 and A4 should be 435). Thus
enter the correct calibrations and apply them to all blows of the data set.
Calibrations for strain and piezoelectric accelerometers are scaled directly. The
PDA handles calibrations for piezoresistive accelerometers as an inverse function.
8 Note that now the two velocity signals match first each other and also the force
proportionality and the wave up is much more flat between the two dashed time
40
markers as it should be for a pile with little penetration and little shaft resistance.
Display DPFW. This example demonstrates a good reason to try to use transducers
with similar calibrations so that if this transpose error is made then the effect is
small.
9 The rise for this hammer is very rapid since it is a steel to steel impact (no hammer
cushion). The "Bending/Damage" warning is displayed near the first peak (D-line).
Expand the time scale (F8 function key or TS command) to its most expanded scale
(or type TS10) and note that the force rises before the velocity. We can shift the
velocity in time with the VT command (try VT-1). The rise is then almost identical
and the "warning" disappears.
10 Replay the data (RA). The first 32 blows are in soft material (see blow counts given
above with soil description. The pile then enters a dense soil above the bedrock for
the next 2 ft or 80 blows and the capacity increases to about 450 to 500 kips (2000
to 2300 kN).
11 Note that before BN 93 [SL49] the stroke was high and stress CSX was about 90%
of the steel yield strength of A36 material (and CSI was slightly above). As the pile
was approaching rock, the stroke was then reduced for subsequent blows to reduce
stresses. At about BN 113 [SL59], the CSX again reached 90% of yield and close
to 100% of yield strength by BN 117 [SL61], and exceeded the nominal yield for BN
121 [SL63], at which point the hammer was stopped.
12 The bottom stress CSB is about equal to the nominal yield strength for BN 121
[SL63]. The pile bottom is now on rock and the set per blow was 0.1 inch (10 BPI)
or 0.25 cm. Note that the wave up is now a compression reflection. Following a 4
minute stop to review results, a few more blows were applied with a higher stroke.
Stresses were very high for these blows. You must limit the number of blows at such
high stresses or damage may occur.
13 If the bottom hits the rock unevenly (it is NOT likely that the pile bottom and the rock
surface are parallel), then there will be additional stress concentrations at the
bottom. It is important to be careful not to overdrive steel piles to rock. A high
yield strength of the steel should be specified whenever possible. If great care
is not taken, then H piles should be equipped with pile points or rock shoes to
prevent bottom damage.
41
Example 24 (Mech. Splice)
Purpose: This data set shows the driving and damage of a prestressed concrete
pile. Setup during the splice time is observed. One accelerometer
seems to be better than the other.
Octagonal concrete pile (16.5 inch or 41.9 cm O.D.) Area 225 in2 (1452 cm2)
Bottom section 70 ft (21.3 m). Mechanical splice with top section 68 ft (20.7 m).
F'c 6 ksi (41.5 MPa); Prestress 1.03 ksi (7.1 MPa)
Hammer: Delmag D46-23 single acting diesel hammer
Soils: unknown
1 The pile begins with easy driving for EX-24A (driving the bottom section). The
Warning Box for early blows with little friction, and particularly driven by diesel
hammers, can be ignored if the wave up between the two short dashed time markers
is basically flat (display DPFW). This is particularly true when the BTA value is near
or above 90% as is the case here.
If the dashed time markers are not apparent, they may be activated by the TM
(time marker) command.
2 There is a spike in the F1 data for BN 33 [SL5] (look at the full time scale). This is
probably due to a cable problem. If this were consistent, then the cable or
transducer or both should be replaced prior to further testing.
3 The capacity at the end of the first section is perhaps about 320 kips (1430 kN) for
BN 165 [SL18]. Note that tension comes from a downward tension after 2L/c and
not during first 2/Lc as TSN is always zero.
4 The pile was mechanically spliced. The splice took a little over one hour. Driving
resumed (EX-24B) and BN 181 [SL1] and 184 [SL2] indicate a capacity of 417 kips
(1860 kN) with RX6 so there is evidence of some setup on site.
5 Replay the EX-24B data (RA). Note that the F1/F2, the D1 and the Damage warning
boxes are apparent for some blows. The F1/F2 is not considered serious since the
compression stresses are relatively low and CSX and CSI are not vastly different.
6 The D1 box indicates that the A1 accelerometer may not be performing as well as
the A2 accelerometer for EX-24B. Display DPD and replay the data. The final
displacement for A1 is negative for low impact blows or hard driving, and for such
a well cushioned blow should not be.
Perhaps the accelerometer was not axially aligned during attachment

(usually the pile driving crew attaches the sensors to the pile). You could
42
turn A1 off using the AF Icon (or increase the magnitude by a replay factor
by one over the cosine of the angle alignment error).
7 Display DPFW. Go to the beginning of the EX-24B data and replay the data (RA).
The Damage indicator first appears at BN 306 [SL18]. The suggested damage
location is 57.2 ft (17.4 m). Type LS57.2 or LS17.4. If you change the force scale
to investigate (FS300 or FS2000) and see more detail in the wave up curve, you
may conclude that the damage is really at 62 ft or 18.9 m; type this LS value for
any blow from BN 600 to BN 692). Note that the total pile length is 138 ft (42.1 m).
The sensors are 4 ft (1.2 m) below the top. Therefore the splice is 64 ft (19.5 m)
below the sensors. As it happens, there was a visual crack in the pile about 2 ft (0.6
m) above the splice before it penetrated the ground location. This problem is not the
mechanical joint itself, but either the rebar detail or casting of the pile.
Note: prestressed piles are not prestressed at the ends due to needed
development length, so need regular dowel bars to transmit the tension across the
joint zone.
8 Up until BN 692 [SL44], the damage had slowly progressed and the BTA value had
gradually reduced to 81%. The crack then quickly deteriorated further and the BTA
value dropped to 78 for BN 696 [SL45] and 65 for BN 700 [SL46]. The PDA
engineer tried to alert the crew when the rapid deterioration began, but a few blows
transpired before the hammer could be shut off. The pile in this condition would be
probably rejected.
9 A "discussion" ensued where the contractor did not believe the PDA engineer and
insisted on continuing the driving of the pile. After a 30 minute wait, driving
continued (BN 702 to BN 713 [SL47 to SL58]), and the defect became even worse
(the BTA value shows a low of 50). Note that the final displacement was much
larger for these blows (DPFW or quantity DFN) than for the blows prior to damage.
The contractor reluctantly agreed the pile was indeed broken and driving was
terminated. Note the defect location has over last few blows moved up the pile to
about 58 ft or 17.7 m (instead of original splice location of 64 ft).
43
Example 25 (Multi-break)
Purpose: This data set shows the driving and damage of a prestressed concrete
pile. which breaks several times.
Hammer: Delmag D22-23 single acting diesel hammer
Soils: unknown
1 Replay through some of the early blows. The tension stress for BN 33 [SL7] is
relatively large. Display DPFW, or perhaps better still display DPW. The wave up
begins to fall at about the second dashed time marker indicating no problem with pile
integrity.
2 Look at BN 43 through 73. Note that the wave up begins to fall earlier. It seems that
there is considerable bending in the pile (F1/F2 warning, CSI is much larger than
CSX; you might want to temporarily look at DPS before returning to DPW).
3 By BN 83, the sharp wave up reduction begins prior to the second dashed time
marker, indicating a reduced stiffness or damage. The damage is located at 77.8
ft or 23.7 m. Enter this value with LS. This is the first damage.
4 Continue driving and by BN 121 (or certainly BN 126 ) another early reduction is
beginning in wave up. Between BN 152 and BN 157 the damage is completed and
the length to this damage is only 70 ft or 21.4 m. Mark this with LS. This is the
second damage.
5 Almost immediately a new damage is located in BN 162 (complete break by BN

226). This location is at 63 ft or 19.2 m. Mark with LS. This is the third damage.
6 By BN 306, the pile has broken a fourth time at LS 59 ft or 17.9 m. By BN 366, the
pile has broken a fifth time at LS 50 ft or 15.4 m. By BN 501, the pile has broken a
sixth time at LS 38 ft or 11.5 m. By BN 676, the pile has broken a seventh time at
LS 29 ft or 8.9 m. By BN 726, the pile has broken another (8th) time at LS 21 ft or
6.4 m.
7 This pile has broken sequentially eight times. The capacity computation is
meaningless for broken piles. Compression stresses remained high throughout; it
would have been better to drive the pile at a reduced stroke to lower the stresses.
It is possible that the there were defects in concrete quality or in handling. The set
per blow remained large and was not representative of other piles on site.
Eventually the pile was abandoned.
44
Example 26 (Setup)
after 2 days and 6 days.
F'c 6 ksi (41.5 MPa); prestress 0.86 ksi (6 MPa)
Hammer: Bermingham B3505 (12" plywood cushion)
Soils: silty clay and clayey sand
Desired ultimate load: 560 kips or 2500 kN (GRL job 962041, pile C3)
Blow counts: 37 blows/ft at EOD; 24 blows/inch for 2 day restrike; 47 blows per inch at
6 day restrike.
1 Replay the data for EX-26A. This is data for the initial installation of the pile. The
stroke (STK) and compression stresses are low for much of the driving. Tension
stresses are also low compared with the prestress.
2 The bending becomes rather large by about BN 627 [SL39] and continues to be
quite large till almost the end of the data (Compare CSI with CSX, and look at the
F1/F2 warning indicator). The early damage warnings are not considered serious
because driving is easy for a diesel hammer, bending is considered partly
responsible, and the BTA values are generally not very low and are not consistent
blow to blow.
3 Toward the end of EX-26A, the tension stresses increased to about 0.80 ksi or 5.7
MPa. Set per blow was relatively large.
4 Computed capacity was at most half of the desired ultimate capacity. There is little
shaft resistance since the wave up is nearly flat for the first 2L/c.
5 After a 2 day wait, the pile was tested during restrike (EX-26B). The estimated
capacity is quite dependent on the selected damping constant JC. RX8 yields about
580 kips (2600 kN) which is approximately equal to the required ultimate. Other
lower damping constants indicate higher capacity exceeding the requirements. The
RA2 method seems low for the first blows and then gradually increases to match the
RX8 method by the end of the data set. The shaft resistance is considerably higher
than at the end of driving as shown by the increasing wave up during the first 2L/c.
6 After a 6 day wait, the pile was tested again during restrike (EX-26C). The estimated
capacity is quite dependent on the selected damping constant JC. RX8 yields about
700 kips (3100 kN) which is well in excess of the required ultimate capacity. Other
lower damping constants indicate higher capacity exceeding the requirements. The
RA2 method seems low for the first blows and then gradually increases to match the
RX8 method by the end of the data set. The shaft resistance is considerably higher
than at the end of driving as shown by the increasing wave up during the first 2L/c.
45
7 Because the indicated capacity is more than required, consideration was given to
optimizing the pile length. As in any case where capacity is an issue, CAPWAP
analysis of a representative blow from the beginning of the last restrike would be
appropriate to more precisely evaluate capacity and determine shaft resistance
distribution. Knowing resistance distribution allowed the engineers on this project
to shorten other piles on site by 20 to 30 ft (6 to 9 m) each and thus create
substantial savings for this foundation. This was a static test pile.
8 The compression stresses for both restrikes were relatively large. The
recommended compression stress limit would be 85% of F'c minus the prestress or
4.24 ksi or about 29.1 MPa. The compression stresses exceed this limit by a small
amount. It would then be very important that the impact be applied as uniformly as
possible so that bending and local contact stresses are minimized so that possibility
of damage is reduced.
46
Example 27 (Preignition)
Purpose: This data set shows the driving of a prestressed concrete pile where the
diesel hammer preignition adversely affected the pile driving installation.
Some minor data adjustments improve the data.
Octagonal concrete pile (24 inch or 61 cm O.D.) Area 477 in2 (3077 cm2)
Driving stress limits: CSX 5.05 ksi (34.9 MPa); TSX 0.85 ksi (5.9 MPa)
Hammer: MKT DE 110 single acting diesel
Soils: 30' sand, brief fat clay layer over bearing in very dense fine to coarse sand
Test pile had been placed in 30" casing with 20' clear depth. Below the casing, a
slightly undersized hole (22") was augered to within 2' of minimum tip elevation and
stabilized by slurry. Pile was driven from 21 ft to 39 ft on Feb 4, and driven an extra
3.5 ft on Feb 5. The pile bottom finished about 1' above minimum tip elevation.
Desired ultimate load: 650 kips or 2900 kN (GRL job 972006, pile 2)
Blow counts: 20 blows for 3/8" (equivalent to 640 blows/ft) at end of drive (EOD)
20 blows/inch for begin of redrive (BOR)
20 blows for 1/2" (equivalent to 480 blows/ft) at end of redrive (EOR)
1 Calculate the area of the octagonal pile. Type AR then select the “Octagon” tab.
Enter 24 in the “Width” field and 0 (zero) in the “Diameter of Void” field.
2 Enter the List in the Hammer Properties dialog box (CTRL-H) and find MKT DE 110.
Select EMX and ETR as result quantities.
3 Replay the data (RA). Note that proportionality box is displayed for a few of the
early blows when resistance is low and driving is easy. During this time the
compression stresses are very low and the precompression of the gases is a large
percentage of the total force input. The wave up (DPFW or DPW) is a delayed
mirror image of the downward compression, so the warning can safely be ignored.
Tension stresses were at most 0.60 ksi (4.2 MPa) in easy driving so are
considerably less than the allowable limit.
4 Between BN 250 and BN 310 [SL9 to 11], the capacity and stroke STK increased
quickly and the tension reduced, probably as the pile bottom encountered the bottom
of the predrilled hole. The set per blow decreased to essentially refusal conditions.
5 Driving was then similar until BN 970 [SL33]. The stroke was generally about 7 to
7.5 ft (2.1 to 2.3 m). Energy transferred was generally low compared to the
manufacturer's rating. ETR was typically 12 to 16%. After BN 970 [SL33] the
hammer was stopped for about 30 minutes to replace the pile cushion.
6 Driving then continued with only a gradual and minor increase in indicated capacity.
Capacity at the end of drive was about 800 kips (3600 kN). Up to about BN 1558
[SL65], the stroke was about 7.8 to 8.1 ft (2.4 to 2.5 m) and the ETR was typically
14 to 17%.
47
7 After BN 1558 [SL65], the hammer was stopped for 12 minutes for hammer
lubrication. The stroke and energy then gradually declined to the end of driving at
BN 1735 [SL86]. Final stroke was about 7.5 ft and ETR was 14%. The hammer was
stopped at this point, even though the pile was still 4 ft above minimum tip elevation
since it was the end of the work day.
8 At the beginning of the following morning, pile driving continued on the same pile
and data is provided as EX-27B. It is readily apparent that the stroke, energy, and
driving stresses have greatly increased. The transfer ratio ETR is as high as 29%
for some blows.
9 This energy transfer ratio for the redrive (ETR 29% for BN 2 [SL1] of EX-27B) is
about double the transfer at the end of driving (ETR 15% for BN 1735 [SL86] of EX-
27A). The hammer at end of driving at the end of the day had already driven many
piles that day. Even though the air temperature was about freezing (32oF or 0oC),
the hammer was very hot since many blows were required to drive each pile. If fuel
is injected into the hammer and the flash point of the fuel is below the hammer
temperature, then the fuel will burn even prior to impact. When the fuel burns
prematurely, this is called "preignition". Preignition causes an increase in the gas
pressures inside the combustion chamber. The ram as it continues to fall is now
resisted by a higher than normal pressure and therefore requires more energy to
compress the gasses prior to impact. Thus some of the available kinetic energy is
used only to compress gas, and is therefore not available to transfer to the pile to do
useful work. Preignition at the end of drive caused a lower energy transfer. On
redrive, the hammer was still cold, so preignition did not occur and energy transfer
was normal.
10 To review the preignition, let us change the force scale to FS1000 for English or to
FS5000 for SI. Look at the force at the time of the first half height dashed time
marker. The force is much higher for the end of drive due to preignition than the
force from the begin of restrike when the hammer was cold and no preignition
occurred. Since the force is really the gas pressure times the cylinder area, the
pressure at end of drive is higher due to preignition as explained in point 9 above.
Different blows have different amounts of preignition (the preignition is particularly
strong for BN 1685 of EX-27A [SL79] for example).
11 During the restrike (EX-27B), the pile was driven another 3.5 ft (1 m). This driving
took almost 1000 blows and caused the hammer to heat up again; preignition may
be in the early stages at this time. The transfer ratio ETR reduced to 19 to 20%;
stresses and stroke also reduced.
12 Tension stress TSX increases quickly for the redrive EX-27B to 0.75 ksi (5.1 MPa)
by BN 18 [SL7]. Compression stress CSX reaches 3.71 ksi (25.6 MPa) for BN 46
[SL14]. For BN 46, the tension is now about identical to the limiting tension stress
(0.85 ksi, 5.9 MPa), even though the pile is at refusal blow counts. This is due to
48
most of the resistance being at the pile bottom and the presence of a large toe
quake.
13 Capacity at end of initial drive (EX-27A) was about 800 kips (3600 kN). Capacity at
the begin of redrive (EX-27B BN 2) increased to 900 kips (4000 kN). Both were at
refusal blow counts so the full resistance may not have been activated and thus both
capacity results may be lower bound estimates. In general, in refusal driving, as
input energy and impact force increase, capacity also increases. The capacity is
well above the required 650 kips (2900 kN). CAPWAP analysis is still recommended
to finalize the result and determine dynamic parameters such as damping and
quakes.
14 Return to the beginning of the redrive EX-27B. Display DPFW and view the entire
time record (use TS or just type TS100). Observe that the final displacement at the
end of the blow is slightly negative. The data is being adjusted such that the velocity
at the end of the data is zero. The final velocity point defined as zero is VE. VE is
by default 1024 (the VE value is shown just below the data and above the 9
computed quantity results). The velocity is adjusted beginning at point VA until VE.
The default VA value is 200 (displayed near the VE display). The VA point 200
roughly corresponds to the time of the data trigger. Prior to the trigger, the PDA
does some small self balancing. After the trigger the self balancing is turned off. It
is after the trigger point that most of the adjustment is therefore needed, and thus
after point VA200. If we instead try VA of 100 or 50, then the final displacement is
perhaps more reasonable for this data case. Type VA100 or VA50. Replay the data
from both driving and redriving with this new adjustment.
While the final displacement is more reasonable with the minor VA adjustment, the
interesting results of stresses, energy and pile capacity essentially do not change.
49
Example 28 (Relaxation)
Purpose: This example includes an H pile driven to weathered shale. There was
significant relaxation (capacity loss) with wait after installation.
H pile 12x74 Area 21.8 in2 (140.6 cm2) normal A36 steel.
Pile was driven with tip protection, but this was probably not needed in soft rock.
Hammer: MKT DA35C single acting diesel
Soils: Clayey silt over weathered shale - claystone
During driving the pile blow counts reached 21 BPI at EOD. Following a 5 day wait,
redrive began with 10 BPI and gradually increased to 21 BPI at end of redrive.
Desired ultimate load: 300 kips (1340 kN).
1 Initial pile driving (EX-28A) proceeds from easy driving to hard driving. This gradual
transition occurs as the pile penetrated the weathered weak rock. Capacity at end
of driving reaches over 600 kips (2700 kN) at refusal blow counts of 21 blows per
inch (21 blows per 25 mm). Pile stresses CSX and CSB are modest. The toe
reflection was compressive.
2 After a 5 day wait. The same pile was tested during a restrike (EX-28B). Please
note that the length input during this test was incorrect. The length below sensors
(LE) should still be 27.5 ft (8.4 m), as can clearly be noted in the toe reflection.
3 The first restrike blows unfortunately had low energy. The capacity for the first two
blows was approximately equal to the desired ultimate capacity. The first high
energy blow (BN 3 [SL3]) had a capacity of only about 400 kips (1780 kN). It is not
clear whether the capacity is 400 kips (1780 kN) or less; ideally the very first blow
would have had high energy. It is very important to have early high energy blows
when relaxation is suspected. There is a definite tensile toe reflection for the early
blows. The blow count reduced to only 10 blows per inch (10 blows per 25 mm) at
the begin of restrike, thus confirming the capacity reduction from end of driving.
4 As restrike continued, the capacity gradually increased as did the blow count. At the
end of the restrike, the conditions were comparable to those recorded at the end of
drive. Although capacity has increased again temporarily, the capacity will reduce
again with additional wait time.
5 It is important to realize that this was only a 5 day restrike test. It is possible that
additional capacity loss may occur with additional wait time. To achieve adequate
long term service capacity, the pile must therefore be driven to significantly higher
capacity at the end of drive so that after losses the residual capacity is satisfactory.
When driving in soft rock, some require driving to refusal, and then even an
additional 200 or more blows (provided that stresses are acceptable). This
overdriving may result in higher end of drive capacity, so that when relaxation losses
occur, the final residual capacity is adequate for project needs.
50
Example 29 (Wavespeed Change, Setup, Cracking)
Purpose: This example involves a 40 cm square concrete pile. It demonstrates that
• a lower wavespeed than assumed is required (WS11,000 ft/sec); this improves

the proportionality as well as the 2L/c time.
• there is loss of setup in shaft resistance on this 700+ blow redrive (pile driven
from 14.8 m to 33 m)
• there is some minor tension cracking (the WU at 2L/c initially reflects the WD
as in SL20, and then later is much “wider” as in SL40.
• The tension crack eventually shows up as a minor damage (starting SL31).
Example 30 (H-pile splice failure)
Purpose: This example includes an H pile which has a splice failure. Pile is
14x89 H section. Hammer is Delmag D30-32. Pile has two 55 ft sections
so length from sensors to splice is LS52 ft. Soil is land fill over sand.
Example 31 (SPT example)
Purpose: This example includes three SPT files. Shows variability between
hammer types.
• Ex-31A has a normal safety hammer on an AW rod at depth of 22.5 ft. The first
blow has an open joint, but all subsequent blows are OK. ETR typically 65%
• Ex-31B is the same safety hammer but at 37.5 ft depth. The joint starts closed
but is often open (loose) causing an early zero crossing if using EF2. ETR
typically 65%
• Ex-31C is a donut hammer on a spooling winch at the same site and at depth
20 ft. ETR typically only 40%
51
Example 32 (Loose Strain Sensor; High Stresses)
Purpose: This example includes a small pipe pile.
• One strain sensor was not firmly attached so after the first blow it is useless.
Fortunately turning it off seems to give reasonable force data (perhaps bending
is minimal). In the usual case it is never allowed to use one strain sensor.
• After turning the bad sensor off (look at DPFV and then turn it off with the AF
Icon), the compressive stresses are very high (about 60 ksi; 420 Mpa);
fortunately this is reject oil pipe with very high yield strength.
• The data for SL2 is still not right due to final force offset. Toward the end of the
data set one velocity is not as reliable and so you might also prefer to use one
accelerometer (AF Icon).
Example 33 (Timber Pile)
Purpose: This example includes a timber pile with very high wave speed.
• Ex-33A is a free pile wavespeed created by using a more sensitive PIT

accelerometer on a pile laying horizontally on the ground and struck with a
sledgehammer. Using the correct pile length (21.33 m; 70 ft), and adjusting the
WC (by left and right arrows), we find that the true wavespeed in this timber pile
(from South America rain forests) is about 5200 m/sec (17060 ft/sec). This is
a faster wavespeed than steel.
• EX-33B is data from real pile driving on the same project. The original data with
the original low wavespeed has poor proportionality. If the high wavespeed is
used, the data looks reasonable. Note WS from rise to rise is more difficult to
evaluate than for peak to peak method (OK to use peak method here due to low
resistance and also timber piles do not have cracks).
Example 34 (Spliced Concrete Pile)
Purpose: This example includes a 40 cm square concrete pile with no-tension splices.
Use the LS19.4 and LS39.4 to locate the splices. The “damages” roughly
correspond to these locations and indicate a “gap” has formed between the
pile sections. Top section is 19.4 m, and setting LS19.4m and then adjusting
WS suggests a value of WS 3,800 m/s. Making this change gives good
proportionality. The gap seems relatively large at the bottom splice. This
gap closes with more applied blows.
52
Example 35 (Pipe - Toe Damage)
Purpose: This example includes a steel pipe.

• There are some data quality issues as evidenced by some data spikes for the
later blows in the F1 channel (look at DPFV to confirm). This is probably
caused by a failing sensor or failing cable (probably the cable since it occurs
late in the blow rather than near the peak accelerations).
• The pile toe is damaged during the driving. Compare BN175 [SL30] before
damage with later blows. Already by BN691 [SL73] damage clearly exists, and
by the end of driving BN820 [SL109] it is even more clear in that the tensile
reflection begins too early. The PDA shows damage (BTA71 for SL109).
Example 36 (Spliced Pile with Damage at the Splices)
Purpose: This example includes a spliced concrete pile. Each section is 12 m long and
sensors are attached one meter below the pile top.
• EX-36A gives the driving of the first section (no real problems except perhaps some
tension cracking in the section during easy driving. Later blows appear OK.
• EX-36B has the second section driving. The pile shows damage at the splice (LS11)
at BN213 [SN22], and has a major break at BN345 [SL36]. The pile driving continued
anyway to BN466 [SL49]. Pile splice design seems defective.
• Even though the pile was damaged, it was spliced again. EX-36C contains the third
section driving (the LE should be 35 m, not 37 m as the file suggests; change LE35).
The first splice is then at 23 m, and the second splice is at 11 m below the pile sensors.
The reflection from the 23 m splice is seen immediately, and the reflection from the
upper 11 m splice becomes apparent by BN 70 [SL4].
• Even though the pile was damaged, it was spliced again. EX-36D contains the fourth
section driving (LE47). The first splice is at 35 m, the second splice is then at 23 m,
and the third splice is at 11 m below the pile sensors. The reflection from the 23 m and
35 m splices are seen immediately, and the reflection from the upper 11 m splice
becomes apparent almost immediately and grows to a substantial reflection by BN 502
[SL27]. It is surprising that a long pile (47 m; 154 ft) has such large set per blow at end
of drive (20 mm/blow; 0.8 inch/blow). So, is the pile still really intact for all four
sections, or is the effective pile length less? While there appears to be some evidence
that there still are 4 sections in line, it is not conclusive. Further, if this pile is to resist
tension, then the obvious defective splices will not allow tension from the lower
sections.
• EX-36R contains the 5 day restrike. There is significant increase in shaft resistance,
but the defective splices are still observable.
53
Example 37 (Data Problems With 4 Strains on Drilled Shaft)
Purpose: This example shows several problems including poor attachment of sensors
for first blow. Problems for later blows could also relate to insufficiently
tightened sensors.
Example 38 (Yielding Pipe With Quick Setup)
Purpose: This example shows driving a pile at low resistance. Following a short wait
the capacity substantially increases. Unfortunately the alignment is not good
and pile top yielding is then present, clipping some data and making
selection of the CW blow more difficult.
Example 39 (Yielding Pipe With Quick Setup)
Purpose: This example shows driving a nonuniform pipe pile. Can be used to
demonstrate nonuniform pile modeling for CAPWAP.
Example 40 (Relaxation in Fine Sands and Silt of Pipe Pile)
Purpose: This example shows comparison of high energy end of drive data at 5 blows
per inch, with lower energy restrike (one day later) with 6 blows per inch.
(Shows variability of hydraulic hammers). Thus even though blow count went
up, the capacity went down due to relaxation in these fine saturated soils.
Continued re-driving shows capacity builds back up to EOD case as negative
pore pressures are made.
54
Example 41 ()
Purpose: This example shows 12.75 inch x 0.375 pipe piles driven with a diesel hammer
into fine grained soils. Many different features are observed in several different
data sets.
41a Test shows substantial bending for the first blows. The bending is large for the first
59 blows. The stresses are therefore large (CSI) compared to normal pipe pile
material strength, and the first blow shows material yielding (and maybe also for
BN2). Pile driving is briefly stopped twice to adjust and improve the alignment and
thus reduce the bending stresses. Capacity may have increased due to setup
during first interruption of about 3 minutes (but no noticed difference for second
interruption).
41b Test shows a loose strain transducer attachment through BN 130. After a seven
minute stop driving continued (with bending being large). A 16 minute stop was
made after BN 270 to adjust alignment.
41c Test shows initial calibration pulse with very large cyclic noise. After correcting main
problem (improve power supply, or replace cables), another calibration pulse
shows great improvement. However, A3 still has minor noise on the signal and
could be turned off to further improve the signal quality. Stop after BN 101 to
improve alignment (which works for awhile but gradually gets worse again).
41d Test shows yielding of the pile on this brief restrike. Stresses from strains are very
high. The energy transfer (only meaningful when pile is not yielding; e.g. BN 8 and
later) is very large compared to the hammer rating.
41e Test shows capacity is large for first blow in data set (BN3) and decreases rapidly
with continued blows. Shows importance of saving every blow initially. Capacity
then increases at end of this redrive from 12 to 17.5 m. Bending is relatively small
for this pile, showing good alignment. Energy transfer is better than average,
particularly for the first blow which may have residual extra fuel and thus
generating a high stroke.
55
Example 42 (collapsing pipe pile)
Purpose: This example shows a pipe pile with collapsing pile wall (confirmed by physical
inspection). The pile has a conical point (previous flat plat bottomed piles had
collapsed so this was attempting to avoid the problem). There is a data quality
problem starting after BN 262 and continuing through BN 1462 (turn A4 off for
these blows by two step process using selective ranges form AF Icon. E.g BN
262 to end, followed by BN 1462 to end). The pile integrity seems acceptable
through about BN 1873. At BN 2023 there is clear damage indicated at 85 ft
below sensors, and that gradually rises to a location 62 ft below sensors
(confirmed by visual inspection and dropping a tape to obstruction). It is
interesting that the pile toe can still be seen in the record.
56
Example 43 (Changing wavespeed WC)
Purpose: This example shows a wavespeed change during the driving of a prestressed
pile. Early blows have relatively little shaft resistance (pile mostly in air).
Continued driving shows significant increase in shaft resistance. However
the main item of interest is the pile wavespeed. The wavespeed WS is
clearly about 13,200 ft/s (4,025 m/s) for early blows. This also produces a
reasonable proportionality. However, as driving progresses, the effective
overall wavespeed (WC) slows down by more than 10% as minor cracking
develops and finishes at 11,667 ft/s (3,556 m/s). The WS is a material property
and should not be changed (and thus is higher than WC). To obtain a variable
wavespeed for different blows as driving progresses, first start at the first blow
(SL1) and press OPTIONS/”Calculated Wavespeed” and then select “blow by
blow auto edit” and an {auto} indicator will appear after the WC indicating you
are now in an automatic mode. In this mode, you can adjust the wavespeed for
any blow by using the left and right arrow keys to adjust the 2L/c time. When
you then press PgUp to go to the next blow, the previous wavespeed will
automatically be applied to the next blow. (If you go back with PgDn, the
wavespeed is unchanged). The first slower wavespeed is needed about BN
409 (press the right arrow once on this blow) to get WC 12,833 ft/s (3,912 m/s).
At BN 509, slow the wavespeed WC again with a right arrow to 12,623 ft/s
(3,848 m/s). Note high tension stresses for the next 1000 blows. Following an
11 minute stop at BN 1569, the WC value changes rather dramatically to
12,222 ft/s (3,725 m/s) for BN 1579 and there is evidence of setup during this
brief stop, and tension stresses decline to practically zero. The Wc further
slows by BN 1849, and again at BN 1979, and to the final 11,667 ft/s (3,556
m/s) at BN 1949. When this is completed to avoid further changes, the file
must be changed to the “blow by blow edit” mode (and an {edit} will then follow
the WC). In the “edit” mode changes by left or right arrow keys affect only that
single blow so it is safer to leave such changing wavespeed files in this mode.
If you CAPWAP a late blow with WC < WS, you will need to use a slower
overall wavespeed value (accessed by the PM pile model Icon).
57
58

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APPENDIX C:

EXAMPLES FOR PDA

compiled August 1999 (March 2000 edits) by:

Pile Dynamics, Inc.

(C) Copyright 1999, 2000, by Pile Dynamics, Inc.

Concrete pile (16 x 16 inch; 40.6 x 40.6 cm), prestressed

CSX maximum compression stress at measured location averaged for section

Steel H pile (14 x 89) Area 26 in2 (167.7 cm2)

CSX maximum compression stress at measured location averaged for section

8 For all cases where capacity is marginal or an issue, we do strongly recommend a

Hammer: Vulcan 08 (single acting air hammer)

CSX maximum compression stress at measured location averaged for section

SP = {A1 * S1 + A2 * S2}/{A1 + A2}

Steel H pile (10 x 42) Area 12.4 in2 (80 cm2)

CSX maximum compression stress at measured location averaged for section

CSX maximum compression stress at measured location averaged for section

5 Look at driving stresses (CSX and TSX).

14 For all cases where capacity is marginal or an issue, we strongly recommend a

4 Blows 8, 9 and 10 [SL6,7,8] show increasing energy and increasing capacity. BN

5 Ideally to determine if this is a relaxation case, a higher energy should be

Steel spiral weld pipe Area 65.2 in2 (420.6 cm2)

4 With DPFW displayed, BN 1 shows a clear major damage at about 82 ft or 25 m (use

Steel pipe Area 10.1 in2 (65 cm2)

2 Type WS12600 or WS3841. Note the automatic change in EM.

Purpose: To demonstrate data taken on a drilled shaft.

Shaft: 16 inch or 61 cm OD.

2 The Proportionality box is ON. It is ON primarily because of the plywood cushion

SPT AW rod (Area 1.1 in2 (7.1 cm2)

Purpose: Data quality is a major problem

Steel H pile Area 15.5 in2 (100 cm2)

3 The velocity data (DPV) is very consistent for all blows.

Purpose: This example includes a pipe pile driven to rock.

2 Find the energy rating for this hammer (ER).

Purpose: This example includes a pipe pile with several splices.

2 At BN 18/18 [SL14], the length is increased by 50 ft or another 15.25 m, making the

3 At BN 4/369 [SL30], the length is increased by 50 ft or another 15.25 m, making the

4 At BN 16/761 [SL59] the length is increased by 50 ft or another 15.25 m, making the

10 For all cases where capacity is marginal or an issue, we do strongly recommend a

2 Type WS11500 or WS3506. Again, note the automatic recalculation of EM.

2 Find the energy rating for this hammer (ER).

Perhaps the accelerometer was not axially aligned during attachment

5 Almost immediately a new damage is located in BN 162 (complete break by BN

Purpose: This example involves a 40 cm square concrete pile. It demonstrates that

• a lower wavespeed than assumed is required (WS11,000 ft/sec); this improves

• The tension crack eventually shows up as a minor damage (starting SL31).

Example 30 (H-pile splice failure)

Example 31 (SPT example)

Purpose: This example includes a small pipe pile.

Example 33 (Timber Pile)

• Ex-33A is a free pile wavespeed created by using a more sensitive PIT

Example 34 (Spliced Concrete Pile)

Purpose: This example includes a steel pipe.

Example 36 (Spliced Pile with Damage at the Splices)

Example 38 (Yielding Pipe With Quick Setup)

Example 39 (Yielding Pipe With Quick Setup)

Example 40 (Relaxation in Fine Sands and Silt of Pipe Pile)

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