7/1/22, 1:14 AM Pile foundations - Design, Construction and Testing Guide - Structural Guide

There are parameters to checked for to make sure pile is clean adequately. The following
figure indicates the limiting values. Those values will be changing from specification to
specification.

Once the bentonite in the excavation reaches the specified limits, flushing is stoped.
Then the tremie pipe is placed in the excavation.
Then slowly concrete is poured into the tremie. Once it is filled, the tremie is lifted by a
very little amount allowing the concrete to flow out.
This concrete will gradually move up with all the mud and impurities at the bottom of
the pile. Then again tremie is filled with concrete and allow concrete to flow out.
It shall make sure the end of the tremie pipe is always within the fresh concrete. It
enables always fresh concrete to mix with fresh concrete and top concrete layer moving
up gradually.
Further, it is very important to control the rate of pouring concrete to avoid lifting the
reinforcement cage. If the rate is higher, cage will be lifted.
Repeat this until the concreting is completed.

Testing of Pile Foundations

Not like other foundations, we cannot see what happens underground.

Nothing visible…

How to decide whether we have constructed the pile correctly with..

Adequate cover to the reinforcement

Without necking
Without bulging
Without concrete mixings with bentonite
Without cavities(like honeycombs) in concrete
Without mud at the bottom of the pile
Etc…

Therefore, we need to do testing of the pile to make sure it is constructed properly.

It is the responsibility of the contractor to carry out testing of piles in consultation with
project consultant and third-party testing agency.

Pile Testing Methods

Mainly there are four types of pile testing methods.

1. Pile Integrity Test (Low strain integrity Test)

2. Dynamic Load Test ( High strain dynamic test)
3. Static Load Test
Privacy - Terms

https://www.structuralguide.com/pile-foundations/ 13/15
7/1/22, 1:14 AM Pile foundations - Design, Construction and Testing Guide - Structural Guide

4. Cross Hole Sonic Test

Pile Integrity Test

The easiest method to predict the integrity of the piles.

Bulgings, neckings, socketing, etc can be predicted with this test.

This best method to identify the defective file but can not assess the pile capacities.

It provides an initial warning of whether the pile is defective.

The pile integrity test is used to identify the piles to be testing by other methods such as pile
dynamic test and pile static load test.

In addition, this testing method is not costing much when compared with other tests.
Further, all the piles are tested with this method.

Dynamic Load Test

The most widely used method to find the pile load capacities in present construction.

Not like a static load test, it provides results instantly. Plie capacity can be obtained at the
site just after the testing. However, further analysis will be done to provide accurate answers
after analysis with Softwares like CAPWAP.

We can obtain the pile skin friction and end bearing developed to the test load.

Initially, the pile testing will be simulated with software and the falling height of the
hammer is decided in such a manner that it will not generate tensile stresses than that can
be allowed or that can carry by the pile reinforcements.

This is called wave equation analysis (WEAP). With this method, it is not required to apply the
hammer load several times until we find the testing load.

WEAP provides the relationship between test load, compressive stress, and tensile stress
development.

Therefore, testing can be done very easily.

Static Load Test 

This more reliable and conventional method used in pile testing. Since all the measurements
are taken manually, we have an idea of what happens with the increase of the load.

We increase the load on the pile up the testing load specified in the pile design and it
reduces gradually.

Pile deformation is monitored and checked whether it is within the limit.

Cross Hole Sonic Test

This test is to used to check the condition of the pile. It can be used to check the condition of
the concerning work within the holes placed in the pile.

Conduits are placed in the pile. Then the testing instrument is placed in the pile and check.
Transmitter and receiver is used to check the condition of the pile.

Privacy - Terms

https://www.structuralguide.com/pile-foundations/ 14/15
7/1/22, 1:14 AM Pile foundations - Design, Construction and Testing Guide - Structural Guide

Based on the wave speeds it predicts the condition of the pile. Further reading on the testing
method could be referred from Wikipedia article crosshole sonic logging .

 YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

Pile Raft Foundations Concrete Mix for Footings | Strap Footing types and
Facts to be aware design procedure

MAIN CATEGORIES LATEST ARTICLES RANDOM ARTICLE

Bridge Construction Design Design FOUNDATION DESIGN

and Construction Design Loads Concrete Mix for Footings | Facts to be aware

Design to BS 5950 Design

to BS 8110
SERVISIBILITY DESIGN
Design to EC2 Design to EC3 Why does Concrete Crack | Structural Guide
Foundation Design
Geotechnical Design Materials Post CONSTRUCTION
Concrete Pumping | Facts Must Aware DESIGN TO BS 8110
Tension Retaining Structures Seismic
Beam Design to BS 8110
Design Servisibility Design Special DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
Designs Structural Detaling Welding Inspection – What it is and How it
Structural Failures Testing done

Share the joy

Email*


Terms and Conditions
Structural Guide © 2022. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy Subscribe

Designed by KitS
Privacy - Terms

https://www.structuralguide.com/pile-foundations/ 15/15