Nondestructive Integrity Testing of Augered Cast-In-Place and Drilled Displacement Piles Presented by: Tracy Brettmann, P.E., D.GE Berkel & Company Contractors, Inc. Other Key Relevant Publications Augered Cast-in-Place Pile Manual (DFI, 2003) Inspectors Guide for Augered Cast-in-Place Piles (DFI, 2010) Manual for Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation of Drilled Shafts (DFI, 2004) Nondestructive Testing of Deep Foundations, Textbook by Hertlein and Davis (2006) 2 Purpose The intent of this guideline is to provide practical guidance for the proper interpretation of NDT results on ACIP and DD piles. NDT of deep foundations can generally be divided into two categories: (1) low strain or nuclear radiation methods which evaluate integrity, and (2) high strain methods which primarily evaluate capacity as well as pile integrity. This guideline focuses on the evaluation of integrity using low strain methods. NDT Controversy Many methods and versions available Experiences with NDT have ranged from very good to complete failure Reliability of methods have been questioned NDT practitioners are unwilling (or unable) to make quantitative judgements NDT can create more questions than answers in some cases Need Analysis Collateral to properly interpret NDT results 3 ACIP and DD Piles Unique Properties Large length to diameter ratio (>30) High component of capacity in skin friction Pumping grout under pressure through layered soils produces multiple changes in cross-sectional area (bulges) These properties limit the applicability of certain types of NDT methods Impulse Echo (Sonic Echo) Testing from the pile top with a hammer impact Generally limited to an L/D ratio <30 Cannot detect small (<1 ft) defects Difficult to distinguish between bulges and necking Difficult to interpret without a clear toe reflection 4 Impulse Echo (PIT or PET) Impulse Echo (PIT) Figure courtesy of Pile Dynamics Inc 5 Records Can Be Difficult to Distinguish A B C Example test results created using the wave propagation simulation computer program PileWave Simulated Response A - Bulge 6 Simulated Response B - Bulge Simulated Response C - Neck 7 Sonic Logging Crosshole for large piles and singlehole for small (<24 inch) piles Developed to overcome sonic echo limitations Access tubes must be installed in piles Potential for debonding between PVC and grout is a problem Typical testing rate is 1 to 10% SSL Set-Up and Sonic Log Berkel&Company 8 Sonic Logging Interpretation of Results Gather Analysis Collateral Evaluation of detailed pile installation records Evaluation of soil and groundwater conditions Evaluation of NDT results 9 Analysis Collateral Additional information that makes analysis and interpretation of nondestructive deep foundation integrity test data easier and more effective. (Hertlein 2009 ASCE GSP No. 185) This step should be done prior to performing any testing. Geotechnical exploration reports Foundation design drawings and calculations Contractors construction records Field Inspectors notes and detailed pile installation records Automated monitoring equipment (AME) data Concrete or grout mix design Reinforcing cage and/or center bar design, as well as centralizing system Concrete or grout delivery tickets Superintendents daily notes Grout or concrete strength test results Pile installation sequencing Post-grouting installation completion procedures. Evaluation of Pile Installation Records Data from AME Typical systems measure (1) time and depth during drilling, and (2) time, depth, grout volume, and grout pressure during grouting AME provides both the operator and inspector (1) a real time graph of the process to monitor during installation, (2) a hard copy printout of the data, and (3) a digital record that is stored on a computer for later review and analysis Manual Observation Techniques Monitoring of the grouting phase of the pile installation process is generally considered to be the most important aspect of the quality control process. This involves recording the volume of grout pumped to develop the initial grout head and the volume pumped in discrete increments along the pile. 10 Evaluation of Soil and Groundwater Conditions Soil conditions affect the final shape and therefore the evaluation of ACIP piles A change in soil conditions may result in the change from a bulge to a return to nominal area This typically produces a positive reflection at that depth in the impulse echo test, which can be misinterpreted as a neck when in fact it is simply a return to the nominal diameter Understanding which soil layers have the potential for caving or necking and which do not is essential in evaluating pile head impact test results. It is important to understand where (1) the pile section could not be significantly larger than the nominal pile diameter and (2) there is a possibility of the presence of either a bulge or a neck. Soil Conditions Potential for Caving 1. Loose sands below the water table have a significant potential for caving or necking to occur and therefore should be evaluated carefully. 2. The potential for caving or necking in firm to hard clays and rock is low. 3. The potential for caving or necking is low in medium dense to very dense sands above the water table and dense to very dense sands below the water table. 4. Medium dense sands below the water table have a moderate potential for caving. 5. Bulging can occur in soft to firm clays and loose to medium dense sands. 11 NDT Results Compared to Soil Conditions If the conclusions from head impact methods are not consistent with the soil conditions and groundwater level, the installation records should be reviewed carefully to determine if the proper installation procedures were followed After a reasonable profile analysis is performed, the calculated pile volume should be compared to the actual constructed volume of the pile. If the calculated volume is not in reasonable agreement with the actual pile volume, then another analysis should be performed. Communication Prompt analysis and reporting are usually critical to a successful project Unless full site information is available immediately to the tester, the analysis and report may be delayed or will be based upon limited information until the previously specified analysis collateral information has been obtained, reviewed and considered A report that reaches the contractor and/or Owner mentioning some anomaly originally found several weeks earlier is generally disturbing at least, and highly problematic if the contractor has de-mobilized from the site 12 Anomaly Evaluation After all the data have been reviewed and analyzed, any anomalies should be evaluated to determine if flaws or defects may be present in the pile The determination of a flaw or defect in a pile should not be made from the NDT results alone Since NDT results can be misinterpreted, there should always be some corroborating evidence that would produce those results in the pile Impulse Echo Evaluation Guidelines Classification of Result Comment Good pile, clear toe Acceptablepile No defect apparent, no toe signal LongpilepotentiallytoolongforNDTtestcapability,high pileresistancelimitstestingdepth,and/ormajorbulges arepresent Maybeanacceptablepilesubjecttoreview ofinstallationrecords Probableflawatdepthx, toeapparent Seesectionbelowregardingevaluationandremediation optionsforflaws Probabledefectatdepthx, notoesignal Seesectionbelowregardingevaluationandremediation optionsfordefects Inconclusiverecord FurtherdiscussionwithNDTpractitionerisrequiredas wellaspotentiallyotherNDTtestingtechniques 13 Sonic Logging Evaluation Guidelines VELOCITY REDUCTION, VR(%) SIGNAL DISTORTION/STRENGTH CONCRETE RATING INDICATED CONDITIONS 010 None/normal energyreduction6dB Good(G) Acceptablequality concrete 1020 Minor/lower energyreduction6.1to9 dB Questionable(Q) Minorcontamination, intrusion,orquestionable qualityconcrete >20 Severe/muchlower energyreduction>9dB Poor/defect(P/D) Contamination,intrusion and/orpoorquality concrete NoSignal None NoSignal(NS) Intrusionorseveredefect; couldalsobecausedby tubedebonding ~60 Severe/muchlower energyreduction>12dB Water(W) Waterintrusionorwater filledgravelintrusionwith fewornofines Summary When data from integrity tests on deep foundations indicate the presence of an anomaly, the analyst should follow a three-step process 1. Confirm that the test was performed in accordance with applicable standards 2. Once it has been verified that the anomaly is an irregularity in the foundation, its significance must be evaluated 3. The geotechnical engineer should review the pile design parameters to assess the likely effect of the irregularity of the pile The impact of the anomaly should be evaluated by the pertinent design-construction team members including the NDT practitioner, the geotechnical engineer, the structural engineer, and the piling contractor