Crack growth tester PIT

vibrationimpactintegrity

The Pile Integrity Tester (PIT-Q) assesses the structural integrity of drilled shafts/bored piles, ACIP/CFA and drilled displacement piles, driven concrete or timber piles and concrete filled pipes. The PIT-Q performs wave equation-based, non destructive foundation investigations known as Low Strain Impact Integrity Tests or Low Strain Dynamic Tests, providing assurance that a pile or shaft is free of major cracks and voids. PIT-Q conforms with ASTM D5882 and other codes, specifications and norms. The PIT-Q is a one-person operation with data that may reveal potentially dangerous defects such as: • Major cracks • Necking • Soil inclusions or voids The PIT may also be used to test piles integral in the structure, such as those supporting existing bridges or towers, and may assess their length With the PIT, any form of the test is performed quickly, potentially making it possible to test every pile on a job site with no pre-planning required. The PIT Test The PIT test consists of attaching one or two accelerometers to a foundation and using a hand-held hammer to impact the pile top. The PIT collects the acceleration data and displays curves that reveal any significant changes in a cross section that may exist along the shaft. The impact of the hammer generates a stress wave that propagates down the foundation and reflects back up. The accelerometer collects data that reveals the pattern of wave propagation and reflection. Piles without defects typically show a reflection from the pile toe at the expected time, which corresponds to the pile length. If a defect is present along the shaft,