Concrete Pile Defect Identification: Insights from Cross-Hole Sonic Logging and High Strain Dynamic Pile Test

Abstract

This paper aims to identify the types of defects, location of defects, size of defects, and capacity of five concrete piles using a High strain dynamic pile test and Cross-hole sonic logging test. In this study, Cross-Hole Sonic Logging method (CSL) is a potent quality-control tool that exclusively detects much smaller flaws with high accuracy with utilizing velocity and first arrival time (FAT) from ultrasonic waves to find out the integrity of the drill shaft. From CSL test, the bearing capacity needs to be calculated manually using a waterfall diagram and soil profile. Moreover, the high strain dynamic pile test is used to identify integrity and bearing capacity of concrete pile via resistance analysis down to the pile and split of the base to shaft resistance when only pile head measurements are taken then using Case Method and CAPWAP analysis. Through this analysis, the bearing capacity can be interpreted; the Belta (damage factor) is applied to estimate location and size of the defect in the concrete pile. Based on the result of CLS test for three concrete piles, P01, P04, and P10, indicated that P01 and P04 are “Good” pile integrity with the bearing capacity of 4583kN and 6600kN, while P10 showed as “Potential defect at depth 9.25m to 10.25m” of pile integrity with bearing capacity of 6600kN. Furthermore, High strain dynamic pile test of two concrete piles, P2E and P2P, showed that the integrity category is “Ok” with bearing capacity 9896kN.