Wavelet analyses for stress wave detection of piles

The theoretical foundation for application of wavelet analysis to pile integrity detection has been presented. The mechanism of spectral variations of reflected pulse from various defects in piles is explained by using the wave scattering theory. The theoretical analyses have been verified through the tests of model piles and a lot of engineering piles. A quantitative evaluation method for estimating damage degree of piles is proposed. The characteristic indexes describing spectrum variations of reflected signals and their critical values are given. They can be used not only to evaluate the damage degree but also to identify the kinds of pile defects.