Accuracy and precision of the CSLT measurement system: An experiment to defect diagnoses in bored piles

Abstract

A new measurement system called Crosshole Sonic Logging Tomography (CSLT) provides information on the size, shape, and orientation of defects in a bored pile. The CSLT measurement system has not (yet) been accredited in Hong Kong for foundation testing. Bored piles in Hong Kong are generally wide and deep. Existing measurement accuracy studies do not consider this large type of bored piles. The objective of this research is to quantify the measurement accuracy and precision of the CSLT method for large diameter bored piles (the most common pile type for public housing projects in Hong Kong). A test pile was constructed with known defects and perform experiments with a CSLT measurement system to quantify its accuracy and precision. CSLT is found to be accurate in detecting shape, size, and location of large defects but small defects close to the tube are difficult to detect. Generally speaking, CSLT has satisfactory accuracy and precision for practical use. The use of CSLT can be considered as a feasible method in defect diagnosis of bore piles in Hong Kong.