Application of Geodetic Measuring Methods for Reliable Evaluation of Static Load Test Results of Foundation Piles

Abstract

Geodetic measuring methods are widely used in the course of various geotechnical works. The main purpose is usually related to the location in space, geometrical dimensions, settlements, deflections, and other forms of displacements and their consequences. This study focuses on the application of selected surveying methods in static load tests (SLTs) of foundation piles. Basic aspects of the SLT are presented in the introductory section, together with the explanation of the authors’ motivation behind the novel (but already sufficiently tested) application of remote methods introduced to confirm, through inverse analysis, the load applied to the pile head under testing at every stage of its loading. Materials and methods are described in the second section in order to provide basic information on the test site and principles of the SLT method applied. The case study shows the methodology of displacement control in the particular test, which is described in light of a presented review of geodetic techniques for displacement control, especially terrestrial laser scanning and robotic tacheometry. The geotechnical testing procedure, which is of secondary importance for the current study, is also introduced in order to emphasize the versatility of the proposed method. Special attention is paid to inverse analysis (controlling of the pile loading force on the basis of measured deflections, and static calculations by means of standard structural analysis and the finite element method (FEM)) as a tool to raise the credibility of the obtained SLT results. The present case study from just one SLT, instrumented with various geodetic instrumentation, shows the results of a real-world dimensions test. The obtained variability of the loading force within a range of 15% (depending on real beam stiffness) proves good prospects for the application of the proposed idea in practice. The results are discussed mainly in light of the previous authors’ experience with the application of remote techniques for reliable displacement control. As only a few references could be found (mainly by private communication), both the prospects for new developments using faster and more accurate instruments as well as the need for the validation of these findings on a larger number of SLTs (with a very precise definition of beam stiffness) are underlined in the final remarks.