High strain dynamic load testing, performed with the PDA (Pile Driving Analyzer) system, is a technique used to determine the ultimate capacity of installed piles and infer soil conditions along the length of the piles. Testing can be performed on driven piles during installation using the impact provided by the driving hammer. Tests can also be performed on continuous flight auger concrete piles, drilled concrete piles, and steel helical piles after installation.
Why PDA?
On a project where a percentage of piles have been PDA tested, Canadian building codes allow the geotechnical resistance factor to increase from 0.4 to 0.5. This reduces the required ultimate pile capacity, resulting in shorter pile lengths or smaller shaft diameters, and reduces the project foundation cost. Analyzing the results of high-strain dynamic testing also provides an estimate of the soil parameters along the length of the pile. If soil parameters are higher than expected, the pile design can be optimized to further reduce costs.
Why Right Six?
We perform high-strain dynamic load testing throughout western Canada. For re-strike tests on driven piles, and for tests on non-driven piles, our mobile testing unit can be used to test piles that may be difficult to access, or on sites where cranes and driving equipment can’t be re-mobilized due to cost and availability. This truck-mounted unit allows us to test all pile types with capacities up to 3000 kN.
Test results are analysed by professional engineers, accredited through the Dynamic Measurement and Analysis Proficiency Test. Using the results, we can optimize your preliminary design to minimize final costs.