Latest Developments in Equipment and QA/QC systems in Driven Pile and Drilled Shaft Systems By George Piscsalko, PE Pile Dynamics Inc.

Incentive to increase knowledge Better knowledge improves testing Knowledge reduce errors; lowers risk Required by many authorities Important to maintain-improve testing quality “Dynamic Measurement and Analysis Proficiency Test” “Dynamic Measurement and Analysis Proficiency Test” administered by Pile Driving Contractors Association ( in cooperation with Pile Dynamics, Inc. administered by Pile Driving Contractors Association ( in cooperation with Pile Dynamics, Inc.

New Developments Wireless Sensors Smart Sensors Data sent via wireless Increased Reliability Eliminates Cables Sensors attached correctly Increased Efficiency Attach/Test sensors prior to lifting pile Increased accuracy Smart Sensors have calibration value built into sensor Easy to transport Very Lightweight

Rigid foam “Sensor Protectors” Saves time Promote safety Improves data: you attach sensors

wireless PDA “smart sensors” know their calibration wireless PDA “smart sensors” know their calibration

Pile Site A Pile Site B Pile Driving Analyzer ® Mobile phone with internet Internet connection Experienced Engineer controls PDA as if on-site; monitors pile in real time. CAPWAP analysis starts immediately after testing. Later same day Office SiteLink ® - Remote PDA USA Patent #6,301,551

New Developments SiteLink ® Testing Less Cost for Testing – No travel Time/Expenses – Site delays don’t affect testing Improved Efficiency – Report available sooner – No time wasted on site – Improves scheduling of tests – One Engineer can test multiple sites in one day More testing possible – More testing improves QA on any project

CAPWAP ® Is a “signal matching software” Is absolutely essential for evaluation Is state-of-the-practice (“gold standard”) Interactive with user guided auto searches Is the ultimate answer for DLT capacity Guides selection of JC for Case Method Evaluates stresses vs. depth Models non-uniform piles, et.al.

New Developments iCAP ® Intended for DRIVEN PILES ONLY (uniform section) Quick signal matching Total Capacity Shaft vs end bearing Tension stresses Compression stresses Recommended Jc Match Quality Computed match Load test curve Distribution ®

Dynamic Testing drilled shafts Build up pile top, plywood cushion Reduces excavation Protects reinforcing Remove after testing Drop weight 1%, 2%, …5% of Ru (2% helps activate end bearing) Four strains standard: To assess data quality by 180 o pairs To give backup (few blows allowed) Build up pile top, plywood cushion Reduces excavation Protects reinforcing Remove after testing Drop weight 1%, 2%, …5% of Ru (2% helps activate end bearing) Four strains standard: To assess data quality by 180 o pairs To give backup (few blows allowed)

Strain Accelerometer Pile Velocity Force Traditional F = ma Top transducer F V

F = ma ForceTransducer Use 4 strains

New Developments Thermal Integrity Testing Patented Research from Univ. of South Florida and Professor Gray Mullins Obtain temperature vs. depth vs. quadrant –Infra-red probe scans via CSL tubes –Thermal wires on cage cast in shaft Test reveals anomalies both inside and outside the reinforcing cage (100% testing – entire section) Test can reveal cage alignment problems –Minimum cover can be verified

Thermal Integrity Profile Shaft Reinforcement Cage Logging Tubes Drilled Shaft Normal Heat Signature Reinforcement Cage Logging Tubes

Thermal Integrity Profile Drilled Shaft Reinforcement Cage Logging Tubes Anomaly Drilled Shaft Reinforcement Cage Logging Tubes Anomaly Interrupted Heat Signature

Data Interpretation - Defect 16 C1C2

Data Interpretation - Alignment 17

Test Procedure Using IR Probe Fill tubes with water Transfer water from first tube into thermal container Warm temperature (IR) probe Lower IR probe into tube – data collected from top down as a function of depth – 1’/sec. advancement rate Remove IR probe Transfer water from second tube into first Repeat IR scan in second tube Continue for all remaining tubes CSL Tubes Thermal Container To Depth Encoder

Thermal Integrity Profiler (TIP) - probe testing Depth Encoder Thermal Probe

Thermal Wire Data Collection TAP Computer Thermal Wires Cast in Shaft Taps transmit thermal data to computer Data Transmitted offsite via air card 20

Thermal Integrity Profiler (TIP)

Ohio Test Shaft – 66 inch dia. (R = 33 in, 838mm) – ft length (54.7m) Volume – Theoretical 158 cu yd (121 Cu m) – plan radius 33 inch (838mm) – Actual 121% 191 cu yd (146 Cu m) – Avg radius 36.3 inch (922mm) Cage – 54 inch dia. (R = 27 in, 685.8mm) Temp casing – 84 inch dia. (R = 42 in, 1.1m) – 28 ft length (8.5m) Cast under slurry – Splice at 90 feet (27.4m)

Ohio Test Shaft

Ohio Test Shaft - Volume Data

Ohio Test Shaft - Upper Portion Excavated

Conclusions New QA/QC Methods Available to Increase Testing Quality and Decrease Testing Costs –iCAP, Sitelink, Wireless Smart Gages Dynamic Testing on Drilled Shafts Common Thermal Integrity Testing on Drilled Shafts: –Results available 1 to 3 days after casting Earlier results allows construction to proceed sooner –Test 100% of Shaft Cross Section –No access tubes needed (if use T-wires) Thermal Wires capture temp vs time –Reduced testing cost – easy data collect –Splicing is simple and fast

THANK YOU QUESTIONS?