About the authors
Drs. Farid Moradi and Hamed Layssi are co-founders
of FPrimeC Solutions Inc. They are passionate entrepre-neurs
for developing new technology for structural health
monitoring purposes.
FPrimeC Solutions Inc. is a technology startup in Canada,
developing innovative testing solutions for cost-effective and
reliable assessment of infrastructure facilities. Research and
development is at the core of FPrimeC business and its identity
as a technology company. FPrimeC is committed to bringing
leading technologies and making the next generation of testing
solutions that help their customers succeed.
References
• ACI Committee 228. “Report on Non-destructive Test
Methods for Evaluation of Concrete in Structures.” ACI
228R-13, 84p.
• ASTM D5882. “Standard Test Method for
Low Strain
Impact Integrity Testing of Deep Foundations.” ASTM
D5882 – 16.
• ASTM D6760. “Standard Test Method for
Integrity Testing
of Concrete Deep Foundations by Ultrasonic Crosshole
Testing.” ASTM D6760 – 16.
• Federal Highway Administration & Florida Department
of Transportation. “Unknown Foundation Bridges Pilot
Study.” Feb 2010, 392p.
• Excavator mounted mast
• Accommodates any style
of hammer
• Two hydraulic winches
controlled by excavator
Phone: 706-398-1178
www.vulcanhammer.com
Parallel seismic testing
The low strain impact integrity and ultrasonic cross hole
testing methods need clear access to the tip of the pile. The
parallel seismic method is mostly developed for integrity
evaluation of concrete piles for existing structures, as the
superstructure has been built upon the foundation. For
integrity evaluation, a borehole is drilled close and parallel
to the pile. Boreholes are lined with a plastic tube and filled
with water for coupling between the transducer and the
surrounding surface. An acoustic wave receiver is placed at
the bottom of the tube, moving upward at a constant speed.
The pile-cap is struck by a hand-held hammer. The signals
from the receiver probe and the depth-measuring device
are recorded and analyzed from the form of an acoustic
wave profile. The profile is then used to evaluate the integ-rity
of piles (Fig. 3).
Summary
NDT of piles and deep foundation work is one of the best
solutions for evaluating the consistency and integrity of piles.
Among existing technologies, techniques based on acoustic
wave theory are widely used for integrity assessment. Low
strain impact integrity testing and ultrasonic cross hole test-ing
are commonly used for piles and deep foundations when
the pile-tip is accessible; parallel seismic testing is mostly
recommended for existing and old structures. Selecting the
most appropriate technique for every specific project is key
to a successful evaluation.
TECHNICAL
Figure 3
Figure 4
PILING CANADA 87
/www.vulcanhammer.com
