PROJECT NO.

: CSL-H114-10

3.0 TESTING METHOD

Cross-Hole Sonic Logging generally applies to drilled shafts and requires that at least three tubes
be installed in a drilled shaft prior to pouring the concrete, and that stress pulses are sent from one
tube to the other at 50mm vertical intervals. The arrival time of the pulse at the receiver tube
indicates the quality and integrity of the concrete between the tubes.

For conducting the sonic logging test mild steel tubes as described earlier were installed throughout
the length of the shaft by tying them to the reinforcement cage. They were filled with water and the
top and bottom of the tubes was sealed before concreting. This was to take into account the
differential temperature during concreting and curing.

The test can be conducted after minimum 3 to 7 days of concreting. For this a transmitter is lowered
in one of those tubes and a receiver - in another. Both transmitter and receiver are connected by
cables to the Cross Hole Analyzer (CHA), which records the arrival time and the energy attenuation
as the probes are simultaneously raised to the top. As long as the arrival time and the energy
attenuation are roughly constant, one may deduce that the concrete quality is also uniform and the
pile is therefore acceptable.

The CHA determines the quality of concrete between pairs of tubes pre-installed in r. c. bored piles.
A transmitter lowered down one tube sends a high frequency signal that is sensed some time later
by a receiver in another tube. As the sensors are being pulled, the CHA records, at regular depth
intervals, the time that the signal takes to travel from the transmitter to the receiver (arrival time), as
well as the signal energy. These two quantities are indicative of concrete quality between the pair of
tubes at a particular depth. The entire shaft length is scanned in this fashion by repeating the test
across diagonals & adjacent perimeters.

The CHA is easy to use and data interpretation is straightforward. Defects in the pile are easy to
recognize. They appear as weak signals in the signal plot, as missing signals in the traditional pot,
as delayed arrivals in the arrival time plot, and as signals with low energy.

4.0 INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS

By sending ultrasonic pulse through concrete from one probe to another (probes located in parallel
tubes), the CSL procedure inspects the drilled shaft structural integrity, and extent and location of
defects, if any. At the receiver probe, pulse arrival time and signal strength are affected by the
concrete. For equidistant tubes, uniform concrete yields consistent first arrival times (FAT) with
reasonable pulse wave speed and signal strengths. Non-uniformities such as contamination, soft
concrete, and honeycombing, voids, or inclusions exhibit delayed arrival times (FAT) with reduced
signal strength.

Typically the following classification explains interpretation of defects in the shaft. Here, the rating
of the shaft integrity considers the increases in “first arrival time” (FAT) and the energy reduction
relative to the arrival time or energy in a nearby zone of good concrete.

FAT Increase relative Energy reduction relative

Pile Classification
to good concrete to good concrete
Satisfactory / Good 0-10% < 6 db
Minor Defect 11-20% < 9 db
Poor/Flaw 21 to 30% <9 to 12 db
Poor/Defect >31% > 12 db
Note: 1) This test report or part of the same shall not be reproduced without written permission from the GEO DYNAMICS ULR - TC752120000007094F
2) The results are related to the test performed at location shown by client
Doc. No.: F/7.8/01G/Issue No.02/Issue Date: 16-03-2020/ Amend No.:00 / Amend Date: - / Page 4 of 16 CONTROLLED copy