STANDARD TEST METHOD FOR LOW STRAIN PILE INTEGRITY TEST

Significance & use:-

Pile Integrity Testing (PIT) is a non-destructive test for foundation piles. The method evaluates the
continuity of pile shaft and provides information on the potential defects due to honeycombs, necking
(cross section reduction), and potential bulbs. Sudden changes in soil stratum, concrete quality in terms
of wave speed etc. It is known as “Low Strain” method since it requires the impact for only a small hand
held hammer and the results strains are of extremely low magnitude. The test procedure is
standardized as per ASTMD5882 and also forms part of various specifications and code provisions
worldwide.

The number of tests shall be decided by the engineer to the project.

The testing method and interpretation requires expert interpretation and analysis. It is desirable that
the agency employed for testing proves its competence y submitting past studies and expertise.

Test Equipment:-
The test is performed using Pile Integrity Tester manufactured by Pile Dynamics Inc. Which is a digital
data acquisition unit that meets ASTM D5882 requirements .This is currently best equipment available
Worldwide with use in most countries across the world.

Integrity tests were performed using the most advanced state of art data collection system available to
determine pile integrity by surface
Impact methods. In this system the PIT Collector allows for detection of wave reflections from changes
in pile impedance. The Collector can acquire, enhance, display and plot data. The conclusion and
interpretation of the results are based on the pile top velocity against time curve.
The testing involves attachment of accelerometer on the pile top. After
Attachment, the impact device (a nylon tipped hammer) generates a low strain compressive wave,
which travels down the pile. This acceleration and velocity records of the impact, along with subsequent
reflections from either pile top and / or discontinuities are graphically displayed.
The integrity testing method separates the effect of impact and surface
reflections from other relevant reflections (i.e. pile toe or other discontinuities) by averaging records of
several impacts. This averaging technique tends to cancel random signals in any particular blow while
amplifying the effect of relevant repetitive response.

The signal records obtained are also exponentially amplified with time.
This enhances the identification of relevant reflections in records, which have low energy due to signals
being dampened out by skin friction.
 Test Procedure

A smart blow but not necessarily a hard one, on the head of a pile generates a
compressive sonic wave along the pile shaft. It is reflected whenever there is any change of
impedance on the way. Given a hypothetical case of a smooth cylindrical pile of uniform
cross section, density and soil friction around it, the wave will be reflected from the
toe only and return as a tensile wave after travelling down and up along the entire
length of the pile.

An acceleration pick-up attached to the top of the pile has been designed to send
signals through the hardware to generate reflectogram of the wave on time domain. With the
linear and exponential amplification, filtering system in-built in the apparatus, it is
possible to locate the depth of major changes in the impedance of the tested element.

The nature of the reflectogram gives the length of the pile, sudden changes in cross
section and discontinuity, if any. The quality of result will, however, depend upon good
preparation of the pile head where presence of weak concrete will produce noisy
reflectogram, which obviously cannot produce good results. Availability of information on
the actual condition of construction, grade of concrete, problems faced during construction,
if any, consumption of concrete, etc. helps in providing good quality results, which should
be the objective of the test.

The testing shall be conducted at least 7 days after pile concreting by an

experienced engineer .The concrete at the pile top surface must be relatively smooth with
sufficient space for attachment of the motion sensing device and hammer impact area.The
testing involves attachment of an accelerometer on to the pile top (not near its edge) with
the help of bonding material like candle wax.After attachment the pile is impacted with a
hand held hammer.
The test involves collection of several blows during the test of testing. All such similar blows are averaged before
display. For piles having diameter 600mm and above, testing may be conducted on at least 3 locations, whereas
minimum one location is enough for smaller diameter piles. The typical data sets for good or damaged piles shall
generally be as per Figure:1 and also defined in ASTM D5882.

IMPACT TOE RESPONSE

Fig 1: Typical Velocity Traces for Piles

4.0 Report Submission

On completion of field testing, a report shall be submitted and shall clearly describe piles that are acceptable or
questionable or rejected.

1. Piles with toe response and no defect apparent shall be classified as acceptable.
2. Piles with no toe response and significant reduction or defect above the toe shall be rejected and
replacement or any other remedial action may be considered. The test engineer should specify the
approximate location of defect in such a case.
3. Piles with sudden major increase in resistance or impedance may not show toe response and are termed
as inconclusive and a typical such pile can be selected for static / high strain dynamic test at the
discretion of the engineer.
4. Piles that show toe response but some impedance reduction / defect may be under-rated / replaced /
prepared or subjected to additional high strain dynamic or static testing at the discretion of the engineer.

Acceptance / rejection of piles in para:3 & 4 above may also be based on construction records (concrete
consumption, geo technical data, construction method) that will provide valuable help in result
interpretation. In addition to above, the final report shall thus includes the following..

Changes in cross section qualitatively. i.e bulb or reduction etc.

Sudden changes in soil strata including rock socket if any.

Concrete quality in terms of wave speed.