The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has revised the Standard Test Method for Low Strain Impact Integrity Testing of Deep Foundations, D5882. This Standard covers...
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has revised the Standard Test Method for Low Strain Impact Integrity Testing of Deep Foundations, D5882. This Standard covers both the Pulse Echo and Transient Response Methods of evaluating integrity. Both methods are expedient procedures to investigate the potential existence of major cracks or voids in concrete foundations. The D5882 Standard now encourages considering the soil profile, construction method, site records and results of tests on other foundations at the same site when evaluating data obtained by these methods. Depending on the type of deep foundation tested, it also suggests examining data from concrete placement automated monitoring, concrete cylinder or core strength tests, cross hole sonic logging (ASTM Standard D6760) and thermal integrity profiling (ASTM Standard D7949). Pile Dynamics, Inc. (PDI) wholeheartedly supports the recommendations set forth in the revised standard. PDI manufactures and distributes the Pile Integrity Tester (PIT), often the instrument of choice for either pulse echo or transient response integrity testing. PIT is available in several models, with one or 2 channels of data acquisition. The transient response method requires the models with 2 channels. The technical specifications of all current PIT models comply with the requirements of the Apparatus section of the revised Standard. PDI offers an extensive line of products for quality assurance for deep foundations, including systems for the complementary methods mentioned in D5882: automated monitoring of concrete placement in augured piles (Pile Installation Recorder), cross hole sonic logging (CHAMP) and thermal integrity profiling (Thermal Integrity Profiler).