Verification of Deep Foundations by NDT Methods

Deep foundations are designed using static analysis techniques and the soil strength and structural integrity are then confirmed by static load tests. However, static tests are time consuming and expensive. Lower cost alternative dynamic tests include high strain testing with large drop weights to estimate soil strength, and low strain testing with small hand held hammers to evaluate integrity. The authors were requested to demonstrate applicability and reliability of dynamic testing on specially constructed drilled shafts. Only after submitting dynamic results were the as built shapes and static test results revealed, making this a true Class A prediction event.