Pilesound's core services include dynamic measurements and dynamic analyses of driven piles and shafts, wave equation analyses, hydroacoustic monitoring during pile driving in coastal waters and rivers, as well as crosshole ultrasonic measurements. Pilesound also provides pulse-echo integrity testing for piles and shafts, and energy measurements on SPT and Becker hammer drill equipment. These various services are effectively used during feasibility studies, design, bidding, testing, construction and inspection of large and small projects.
Hydroacoustic Monitoring
Pilesound provides hydroacustic monitoring services using state of the art ANSI Type 1 equipment from both Bruel & Kjaer, Larson & Davis and submersible autonomous systems from Loggerhead Instruments, Inc. Pilesound uses proprietary software for data processing and presentation of sound metrics unique to this work.
Pilesound’s extensive experience in heavy marine construction aids us in the developing and implementing a work plan that meets client and agency requirements. Our plans focus on obtaining the required data in a manner that minimizes support requirements and disturbance to the contractor’s operations.
Pilesound has performed hydroacoustic monitoring for public and private agencies and contractors in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. Pilesound can combine hydroacoustic monitoring and dynamic pile monitoring to provide our clients with a suite of technical services which eases scheduling effort and limits on-site personnel costs.
Dynamic Testing and Analysis
Dynamic pile testing consists of measurement and analysis of force and velocity components of an energy wave introduced to a pile top during a high strain impact event. Satisfying ASTM D4945 standards, measurements are collected using strain gauges and accelerometers attached near the pile top and processed by a Pile Driving Analyzer® (PDA) manufactured by Pile Dynamics, Inc. Dynamic testing provides real time information regarding transfer energy from the hammer to the pile top, pile material stresses, pile integrity information and an estimate of soil resistance to driving.
After the measurements are made our engineers use CAPWAP® signal matching software to evaluate the ultimate soil resistance with detailed break-out of the shaft resistance distribution, and obtain further information on driving stresses and pile integrity.
Results from dynamic testing enables informed decisions in the field and office effectively supporting your engineering and construction goals.
Wave Equation Analysis
Wave equation analyses of pile driving use mathematical models to evaluate the behavior of a pile hammer, driving system, pile and soil resistance during hammer action.
Pilesound uses GRLWEAP® in the preconstruction phase to aid clients’ selection and approval of appropriate driving equipment, predict driving stresses during pile installation, and comment on other aspects of constructability.
Generally, aspects of the soil response and hammer performance should be verified by dynamic measurements and CAPWAP® analyses, static load testing, or other suitable methods of analysis and inspection. Pared with site specific dynamic monitoring data, Pilesound uses wave equation analysis to assist in our clients’ development of field acceptance criteria for driven piles.
SPT Hammer Energy Testing
Dynamic measurements of energy transferred to sampling rods provides data which may be used to correct (normalize) Standard Penetration Test data (or Becker hammer tests) to a reference energy level. Such data is particularly relevant to engineers who evaluate liquefaction potential using SPT data.
Dynamic measurements are made using an instrumented section of SPT or Becker hammer rod. The instrumented rod can be quickly attached to the top of the drill rod before sampling begins and removed for reuse when the sample is complete. This approach easily accommodates different style hammers and ram weights.
Under certain circumstances primary or supplemental data may be obtained using a Hammer Performance Analyzer® (HPA). The HPA uses RADAR technology coupled with either digital or strip-chart output which indicates the velocity of a visible falling ram.
Crosshole Sonic Logging
Crosshole Sonic Logging (CSL) is a method of evaluating the soundness of the concrete in drilled shafts or other concrete foundations. CSL tests are completed by passing an ultrasonic emitter and receiver probe within water-filled CSL access tubes which extend into the concrete.
The access tubes are typically Schedule 40 steel pipe and extend from the bottom of the shaft to a level that is above the concrete surface. Measurements are collected by pulling the CSL probes upward from the bottom of the shaft for various combinations (pairs) of the available access tubes to evaluate the material between those tubes.
Pilesound uses state of the art equipment manufactured by PileTest and has extensive experience with collection and evaluation of CSL data.
Low Strain Testing