Sect: UES-SOP-NDT-

UNIQUE ENGINEERING SERVICES 06

Issue/Rev: 03/00
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE MANUAL
Date: 01/04/2020
HIGH STRAIN PILE DYNAMIC TEST Page: 01 of 06
1. SCOPE: This test method covers the procedure for testing vertical or batter piles individually to
determine the force and velocity response of the pile to an impact force applied axially by a pile
driving hammer or similar device that will cause a large strain impact to the top of the pile. This
test method is applicable to deep foundation units that function in a manner similar to
foundation piles, regardless of their method of installation provided that they are receptive to
high strain impact testing.

2. PURPOSE: To evaluate the pile in the form of

➢ Static capacity of the pile at the time of testing
➢ Simulated static load test curve
➢ Total skin friction and end bearing of pile
➢ Skin friction distribution along the length of the pile
➢ Compressive and tensile stresses developed in the pile during testing
➢ Net and total displacement of the pile
➢ Pile integrity

3. REFERENCE: ASTM D 4945, IRC-78-2014 & IS-9716: 1981 RA 2021

4. RESPONSIBILITY: Trained Engineer under the guidance of Technical Manager

5. PRINCIPLE: This is a system of assessing the load carrying capacity of piles by analysing
records of force and velocity under drop weight impacts.

6. MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT:
1. Pile Driving Analyzer
2. Strain Gauges
3. Accelerometer
4. Radio Transmitter
5. Drill Machine & Tool Kit
6. Mechanical Crain
7. Hammer of 1.0 - 2.0% of Pile Test Load
8. Plywood Sheet of Pile Diameter and having 25mm Thickness
9. Steel Helmet having thickness of minimum 20mm

7. SAFETY PRECAUTION: PPEs such as hand gloves, goggles and helmet should be worn and
safety cage provide around the pile during testing.

8. PREPARATION OF PILE UNDER TEST

➢ Pile head to be prepared by extending Pile from its cut-off level up to minimum 1.5 times
the pile diameter after chipping off top loose concrete.
➢ The pile head shall be of same diameter, axial, flat and have same strength or preferably
one grade higher than pile concrete. The re bars and helical reinforcement shall also be
extended to avoid cracking of concrete under hammer impact. A rebar mesh shall be
Prepared & Reviewed By Approved & Issued By

Testing In Charge Technical Manager

 Sect: UES-SOP-NDT-
UNIQUE ENGINEERING SERVICES 06
Issue/Rev: 03/00
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE MANUAL
Date: 01/04/2020
HIGH STRAIN PILE DYNAMIC TEST Page: 02 of 06
provided at top as shown in Figure below. Note that the reinforcement in the extended pile
and the diameter of bars shall generally be the same as pile reinforcement further, the
concrete at the sensor level shall be smooth hard and uniform as figure 1 shown in
Annexure.
➢ Pile head should be cured for sufficient time so that pile head concrete does not break
under hammer impact.
➢ A pile top cushion consisting of Plywood sheet with thickness of about 25mm to be placed
on the top of the pile before testing.
➢ Steel helmet of 25 mm thick to be kept on pile top cushion.
➢ A suitable guide to be provided to ensure a concentric fall of hammer.
➢ A suitable crane or equivalent mechanism capable of free falling the hammer shall be
arranged on site in consultation with the test engineer.
➢ Refer to Figure 2 showing the setup arrangements in Annexure.

9. PROCEDURE
➢ The testing may be conducted at least 28 days after the pile is installed.
➢ High strain dynamic pile testing is conducted by attaching strain transducers and
accelerometers alternately at 90º to the sides of the pile at a depth of at least 1.5 times of
pile diameter from top of pile OR just above cut-off level.
➢ A pair of transducers is fixed on to opposite sides of the pile so as to detect bending in the
pile if any during testing. These transducers are then connected through the main cable OR
by blue-tooth signal to PDA.
➢ Once all transducers and accelerometer are connected to PDA, perform self-calibration
automatically through PDA.
➢ Arrange the hammer on top of Pile and in line with centre of Pile so that when hammer
falls, it falls at centre of Pile. The fall height generally varies from 0.5m to 3m. but it more
depends on mobilization/displacement of pile due to impact.
➢ Allow the hammer to fall freely on top of pile. For each hammer blow, the strain
transducers measure strains whereas accelerations are measured by accelerometers
connected on either side of the pile. These signals are then converted to digital form by the
equipment and then converted to force and velocity respectively by integration.
➢ For each hammer blow, the test system displays immediate field results in the form of the
mobilized capacity of the pile, pile top compression, integrity, stresses etc.
➢ Testing is continued by increasing the hammer height by approximately 0.5m increment
till the time either the pile set or the pile capacity reaches the required or limiting values.
The limiting value for the pile capacity would be test load while for settlement it would be
3-4mm per blow. In other words, a test can be terminated if pile achieves required test load
or if pile settles more than 3-4mm per blow.

Prepared & Reviewed By Approved & Issued By

Testing In Charge Technical Manager

 Sect: UES-SOP-NDT-
UNIQUE ENGINEERING SERVICES 06
Issue/Rev: 03/00
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE MANUAL
Date: 01/04/2020
HIGH STRAIN PILE DYNAMIC TEST Page: 03 of 06

10. PILE MONITORING AND ANALYSIS

Pile Detail
Pile Pile Length Pile Length Design Test
Date of Development Safety
Pile ID Diameter, below Cut off below Sensor, Load, Load,
Casting Length, m Factor
mm Level, m m MT MT

➢ A typical blow is selected for CAPWAP Analysis. The program is an analytical method
that combines measured field data with pile wave equation to predict the pile’s static
bearing capacity and soil resistance distribution. Based on the measured velocity data, the
program computes force required to induce the imposed velocity. Both measured and
computed forces are plotted as a function of time and the iterative analysis is continued till
there is good agreement between both the curves. If the agreement is not satisfactory, the
soil resistances at the pile point and along the pile are adjusted until a good match of
maximum 5.0 is obtained. This gives better estimates of the actual static pile capacity
measured during field testing and also the friction and end bearing components.

Input Parameters
➢ Pile No.
➢ Date and time of test
➢ The pile length below gauges (LE)
➢ The adopted pile wave speed at the pile head and the overall wave speed
➢ The wave return time (2L/c)
➢ The pile modulus at the transducer location
➢ The pile specific weight
➢ The pile area at transducer location (AR)
➢ The pile impedance
➢ The Case Method damping factor (Jc)

Output Parameters
➢ The maximum force applied to the pile head (FMX)
➢ The maximum energy imparted to the pile (EMX)
➢ The maximum displacement of the pile head (DMX)
➢ The pile capacity estimate (RMX, RSU)
➢ Force velocity proportionality (FVP)
➢ The maximum compressive stress in the pile (CSX)
➢ The maximum tensile stress in the pile (TSX)
➢ The estimated final pile set (DFN)
➢ A good match is obtained when match quality is less than 5 for bored piles. However,
exceptions shall be acceptable when justifiable.

Prepared & Reviewed By Approved & Issued By

Testing In Charge Technical Manager

 Sect: UES-SOP-NDT-
UNIQUE ENGINEERING SERVICES 06
Issue/Rev: 03/00
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE MANUAL
Date: 01/04/2020
HIGH STRAIN PILE DYNAMIC TEST Page: 04 of 06

11. REPORTING
On completion of all field work, the field datasheet shall be prepared in format below
Measured Net Pile depth
Drop Pile top
Date of Pile Pile capacity in, settlement from test
Height, compression,
Testing ID Diameter MT measured on level, LE/LP
m m
RMX RSU field, mm

The final report shall be prepared covering all aspects of the pile monitoring. This report will
incorporate results of CAPWAP analysis and a plot of simulated static load test curve and all the
output mentioned at introduction thus satisfying all the requirements of a standard load test. The
following shall be tabulated.

Pile No. Results Required/Permissible Limits

Pile Capacity
Skin Friction
End Bearing
Net Displacement
Total Displacement
Compressive Stress
Tensile Stress
Pile Integrity From test level (sensor level)

12. TEST LIMITATIONS

1. Although the method can be used to predict skin friction and end bearing along the length
of the pile, these values should be used with caution as the CAPWAP is an iterative
procedure. Further this separation also depends on pile geometry; reliability of soil bore
log, and movement of the pile under repetitive impacts.
2. Unlike static testing, evaluation of dynamic pile test results requires an experienced
engineer trained in interpretations of the results.

Prepared & Reviewed By Approved & Issued By

Testing In Charge Technical Manager

 Sect: UES-SOP-NDT-
UNIQUE ENGINEERING SERVICES 06
Issue/Rev: 03/00
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE MANUAL
Date: 01/04/2020
HIGH STRAIN PILE DYNAMIC TEST Page: 05 of 06

ANNEXURE

Sr.No. Description Requirement Remark Available at Site

01 Pile Head @1.5 D above Cut-off Level with
sound concrete of same grade as
pile concrete

02 Hammer @ 1% -2% of Test Load. However,

in case of Lower weight, Impact can
be achieved by increasing Falling
Height
03 Pile Cushion 20mm Plywood of Pile Diameter
04 Pile Cap (ᴓ D + 150mm) *25mm thick
(Helmet)
05 Mechanical Should be capable for Free Fall of Single Rope Pulley
Crane Hammer from a height of @ 1mtr Mechanical Crane capable
to @ 3mtr for Free fall of Concrete
Hammer from Max. Height
of 3.0mtr from a safe
distance.

06 Safety Cage Shall be cover the peripheral area

of pile and height of cage shall be
more than 3m from top of
prepared pile head. Cage structure
shall be capable to sustain the
hammer load if hammer falls on
cage.

Prepared & Reviewed By Approved & Issued By

Testing In Charge Technical Manager

 Sect: UES-SOP-NDT-
UNIQUE ENGINEERING SERVICES 06
Issue/Rev: 03/00
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE MANUAL
Date: 01/04/2020
HIGH STRAIN PILE DYNAMIC TEST Page: 06 of 06

Prepared & Reviewed By Approved & Issued By

Testing In Charge Technical Manager