Study on Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation Technology for Service Performance of Existing Bridge Pile

Abstract

For existing bridge piles where the superstructure has been built, traditional pile test methods are difficult to apply. In this paper, a nondestructive testing and evaluation technology for service performance of existing pile is put forward. Based on a reinforcement case of existing municipal bridge, the nondestructive method (parallel seismic wave method) is applied to detect pile defects and bearing capacities. In the field test, two excitation types are compared to acquire better stress wave signal quality. The result shows that the length and structural defects of piles can be detected by the parallel seismic wave method. The vertical excitation at bridge superstructure is more conducive to strengthen the first arrival wave characteristics. And the bearing capacity of existing piles can be further estimated based on the soil stratum conditions revealed by the test boreholes and the given survey parameters.