Pile Dynamics, Inc. has developed a new technology for quantitatively assessing the bottom surface of bored pile or drilled shaft foundations. SQUID™ quantitatively measures the soft material or debris thickness that may be covering the bearing strata, at the bottom surface. Based on geotechnical theories, SQUID™ outputs force and displacement in numerical and graphical form. The entire test can be completed very quickly, typically less than 30 minutes – including attachment to the drill stem, testing and analysis.
The SQUID™ test consists of mounting the device on a Kelly bar or winch system and lowering it into a drilled hole. Once the SQUID™ is located at the bottom of the hole, the buoyant weight of the Kelly bar will transfer sufficient force for the probes to penetrate the debris and bearing layers, and for the displacement plates to retract. Accurate, real time force vs displacement measurements are plotted and displayed digitally in the SQUID™ main unit.
SQUID™ does not require testing personnel to work near the excavation. The attachment to the end of the drill stem or Kelly bar is relatively quick and safe procedure which can be easily done by site personnel.
SQUID™:
• Measures thickness of soft material or debriscovering the bearing strata
• Generates force vs displacement in bothnumerical and graphic form
• Provides real time, quantitative assessments through accurate displacement and
penetrometers pressure measurementsAn important part of bored pile construction is the cleaning and inspection of the bottom