GUIDE SPECIFICATION FOR DYNAMIC PILE TESTING

In reviewing this guide specification, it should be recognized that each site and structure has unique characteristics. Therefore, geotechnical judgement based upon a knowledge of the local soil conditions and deep foundation installation practice should be used to modify this guide specification to address the foundation requirements of a specific project. This guide specification is written with actual guide specification in bold (and commentary explanation included in the main text and set off by parenthesis). A similar guide specification (without commentary) for actual use is provided for the specifying engineer to fill in the blanks.. PART ONE - GENERAL 1.01 Summary of Work A. Dynamic testing requires attaching two strain transducers and two accelerometers to the pile usually 1.5 to 3 pile diameters below the pile head during initial driving or at a convenient location during restrike testing. (It is often helpful when dynamically tested piles are somewhat longer than standard pile lengths so that sensors are not driven into the ground.) A cable connects the sensors on the pile with the Pile Driving Analyzer located at ground level at a safe distance from the pile. B. The (Owner, Engineer, Contractor, Quality Control Agency) shall secure the services of a Dynamic Testing Consultant. Dynamic testing shall be performed on ____ (The number of indicator piles is based upon structure type and size as well as subsurface variability; indicator piles may be some of the first production piles for smaller sites. For example, one indicator pile for every [5000 square feet or 500 square meters] of building footprint or one to two piles per bridge pier may be appropriate, depending upon subsurface conditions) indicator piles during the final ____ [ft, m] of initial driving (typically last [10 to 40 ft; 3 to 12 m] for steel or timber piles or full length for concrete piles if tension stresses are of concern) and during restrike a minimum of ____ days after initial driving. (restrike interval after initial pile driving is based upon the time required for time dependent soil strength changes to occur. Typical values may be 1 to 2 days for piles driven into clean sands or to hard rock, or 5 to 10 days or more for piles driven into silts, silty sands, clays where shaft resistance is required and significant capacity increase is possible due to set-up, or to soft rock such as shale where pile toe capacity reduction may occur.) C. Dynamic pile testing shall also be performed on ____ production piles. (Typically 2 to 10% of the production piles or a select number of piles per week, every other week, or each month depending upon project size and subsurface variability. On small projects or bridge projects where indicator piles have been driven at pier locations, production pile testing may be unnecessary unless the indicator pile program has identified installation problems or unexpected problems arise during production driving such as unusually long or short piles or unusual blow

counts. On large projects and projects with multiple driving systems, production pile testing is an important quality control tool to confirm consistent hammer performance throughout the project.) The production pile testing shall be performed during ____ (initial driving, restrike, initial driving and restrike) to monitor hammer and drive system performance, assess pile installation stresses and integrity, and evaluate pile capacity. (If the intent of the dynamic testing is primarily to monitor drive system performance and driving stresses, then testing should be performed during initial driving. If pile capacity evaluation is the primary purpose for testing, production pile testing should also include restrike after time dependent soil strength changes. If complete evaluation of pile installation is desired, testing should be specified during both initial driving and restrike. It should be noted that restrike testing of production piles more than one day after installation may significantly alter the contractor's sequencing. Therefore, if restrike testing for pile capacity evaluation is important to the project, it should clearly be identified on plans and specifications as well as the method of compensation for out of sequence moves.) PART TWO - MATERIALS 2.01 Equipment and Personnel A. The dynamic monitoring shall be performed using a Pile Driving Analyzer. All equipment necessary for the dynamic monitoring such as sensors, cables, etc., shall be furnished by the Dynamic Testing Consultant. The equipment shall conform to the requirements of ASTM D-4945-96, Standard Test Method for High Strain Dynamic Testing of Piles. An experienced engineer shall operate the Pile Driving Analyzer in the field. B. The Contractor shall provide power capable of operating an electric drill to install sensor attachment holes in the test piles. Battery powered drills are often acceptable for concrete or timber piles. The Contractor shall provide a 12 to 24 volt D.C. power source (e.g. car battery) for operating the Pile Driving Analyzer. PART THREE - EXECUTION 3.01 Construction Access A. Prior to lifting the pile to be dynamically tested, the Contractor shall provide a minimum of [3 ft, 1 m] of clear access to 180 degree opposite faces of the pile for pile preparation. The Dynamic Testing Consultant or the Contractor's personnel shall then drill and prepare holes in the pile for attachment of sensors. B. The Contractor's personnel shall attach the sensors to the pile after the pile has been driven to the penetration depths identified in Part 1.01 B. Driving shall then continue using routine pile installation procedures. When the sensors approach the ground surface, water surface, or a pile template, driving shall be halted to remove the sensors from the pile to prevent damage to the sensors. If additional driving is required, the pile shall be spliced and the sensors shall be reattached to the next pile segment prior to continuing driving.

3.02 Testing Procedures A. Preconstruction Wave Equation Analyses 1. Ten days prior to driving the indicator piles, the Contractor shall submit the pile and complete driving equipment data form to the Engineer. The (Engineer, Dynamic Testing Consultant) shall use the submitted information to perform wave equation analyses (preferably using the GRLWEAP program for realistic hammer and driving system analysis of the proposed driving system) and shall prepare a summary report of the wave equation results. The wave equation analyses shall be used to assess the ability of the proposed driving system to install the pile to the required capacity and desired penetration depth within the allowable driving stresses. Alternately, the Contractor may perform the wave equation analysis and submit his results to the Engineer of review. 2. Approval of the proposed driving system by the Engineer shall be based upon the wave equation analyses indicating that the proposed driving system can develop a pile capacity of ____ [kips, kN] (pile design load times 2.5) at an acceptable driving resistance (not greater than ____ blows per [inch, 25 mm], or with at least ____ [inch, mm] set per blow) within allowable driving stress limits. (This section is intended to require a hammer capable of installing the piles to the desired depth and capacity in the event of unexpected soil behavior or poor drive system performance. A typical driving resistance of 6 to 10 blows per [inch, 25 mm] might be specified for friction piles, or 10 to 20 blows per [inch, 25 mm] for end bearing piles or values typical for local practice.) The Engineer may suggest a preliminary driving criteria based on this wave equation analysis and anticipated soil strength changes after driving, subject to further dynamic testing results. 3. A new pile driving system, modifications to existing system, or new pile installation procedures shall be proposed by the Contractor if the pile installation stresses predicted by wave equation analysis or calculated by the Pile Driving Analyzer exceed the following maximum values: Compression Stresses Tension Stresses (The Engineer's recommended maximum allowable driving stresses should be specified for the pile type and installation conditions. The USA Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recommended driving stress limits are attached in Table 1 for reference.) B. Indicator Pile Program 1. Indicator piles shall be driven to a capacity of ____ [kips, kN] (This capacity is often specified as a safety factor of 2.0 times the design load if static and dynamic testing are specified in the indicator pile program or 2.25 times the design load if only dynamic testing is planned. The Engineer may select other

safety factors depending upon structural considerations, subsurface variability, and number of piles tested.) based upon the preliminary driving resistance indicated by wave equation results. Adjustments to the preliminary driving criteria may be made by the Engineer based upon the dynamic testing results of both initial driving and restrike tests. (Alternatively, in localities where significant soil setup effects are known to exist, specifications may require a minimum pile penetration depth or to drive indicator piles to preselected variable depths regardless of driving resistance or end of driving capacity. Restrike dynamic testing is then essential to evaluate pile capacities after soil setup.) 2. Based upon the dynamic testing results, driving records and subsurface conditions, the Engineer shall (may) select ____ (number, percent) indicator piles to be statically load tested (to soil failure if at all possible and reasonable) in accordance with specification section ____. (reference to static load testing section, or to ASTM D1143.) 3. All indicator piles shall be redriven with dynamic testing after a minimum waiting period of ____ days unless a pile has been selected for static load testing. The pile(s) which is(are) statically load tested to failure shall be restruck with dynamic testing within 48 hours after completion of the static load test so that a correlation between static and dynamic test results can be established for reference across the site. The restrike shall be performed with a warmed up hammer and shall consist of striking the piles for _____ (usually 20 to 50) blows or until the pile penetrates an additional three inches, whichever occurs first. In the event the pile movement is less than (1/2 inch, 12 mm) during the restrike, the restrike may be terminated after 20 blows, or even fewer blows if pile is known to be on hard rock. (Dynamic pile testing generally requires at least a set per blow of (0.1 inch, 2.5 mm) to assure mobilization of the full static capacity for piles driven in soil, or half that for end bearing piles on hard rock.) C. Production Pile Testing (See comments under 1.01 C on application) 1. Dynamic pile testing shall be performed on ____ (number, percent) piles during (initial driving, restrike, initial driving and restrike) over the duration of the production pile installation. The frequency and purposes of the dynamic testing shall be as defined in 1.01 C. 2. The Engineer may request additional piles to be dynamically tested if the hammer and/or driving system is replaced or modified, the pile type or installation procedures are modified, the pile capacity requirements are changed, unusual blow counts or penetrations are observed, or if any piling behavior differs from normal installation. 3.03 Dynamic Testing Reports A. Indicator Pile Program 1. The Dynamic Testing Consultant shall prepare a written report of the indicator pile program. This report shall include a discussion of the pile

capacity results obtained from the dynamic testing and comparison with included static testing results (if performed). The report shall also discuss hammer and driving system performance, driving stress levels, and pile integrity. 2. CAPWAP analyses of the dynamic pile testing data shall be performed on data obtained from the end of initial driving and the beginning of restrike of _____ (all, 50% of the, 25% of the) indicator piles. The Engineer may request additional analyses at selected pile penetration depths to investigate potential alternate bearing layers. 3. The Dynamic Testing Consultant shall perform a refined wave equation analysis or analyses based upon the variations in the subsurface conditions and/or drive system performance observed in the indicator pile program results. B. Production Piles 1. Within one day of production pile testing, the Dynamic Testing Consultant shall prepare a hand written daily field report summarizing the dynamic testing results. As a minimum, the daily reports shall included the calculated driving stresses, transferred energy, and estimated pile capacity at the time of testing. Variations from previous the dynamic pile tests shall also be noted. Daily field reports shall be ____ (left at the job site for the, faxed to the) Engineer. 2. CAPWAP analyses shall be performed on ____ (number or percent) of the production piles dynamically tested. (The number of CAPWAP analyses performed on production piles should be selected based on the reasons for dynamic testing of production piles. If dynamic testing during production is performed primarily for drive system performance evaluations, few, if any, CAPWAP analyses are in order. If driving stresses and/or capacity evaluations are the reason for dynamic testing, a greater number of CAPWAP analyses should be specified.) 3. At the conclusion of the project, or at least once per month, the Dynamic Testing Consultant shall prepare a typed report summarizing the dynamic testing results. Table 1 - FHWA Recommended Driving Stress Limits Pile Type Steel 0.9 Fy Compression Stress Stress 0.9 Fy Prestressed Concrete 0.85 f'c - fpe 3 f'c + fpe (psi - English units) Tension

Prestressed Concrete 0.85 f'c - fpe environments)

0.25 f'c + fpe (MPa- SI units) (limit to prestress in corrosive 0.85 f'c 0.70 Fy (of steel 3 a

Precast Concrete reinforcement) Timber Notes: 3 a

Fy = Steel Yield Strength (in psi or MPa) f'c = Concrete Compressive Strength (in psi or MPa, units as indicated in formula) fpe = Effective Prestress After Losses (in psi or MPa) (in psi or MPa) a = Allowable Timber Design Working Stress Sample Timber Allowable Stresses, a, in psi (MPa) Douglas Fir 1200 (8.3) Southern Pine 1200 (8.3) Red Oak 1100 (7.6) Eastern Hemlock 800 (5.5) Reference: Hannigan, P.J. et al, 1996. Workshop Manual on Design and Construction of Driven Pile Foundations, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Report No. FHWA-H1-96-033, Washington, D.C., pp. 11-3 to 11-9. Re: lit#301/3

GUIDE SPECIFICATION FOR DYNAMIC PILE TESTING

In reviewing this guide specification, it should be recognized that each site and structure has unique characteristics. Therefore, geotechnical judgement based upon a knowledge of the local soil conditions and deep foundation installation practice should be used to modify this guide specification to address the foundation requirements of a specific project. PART ONE - GENERAL

1.01 Summary of Work A. Dynamic testing requires attaching two strain transducers and two accelerometers to the pile usually 1.5 to 3 pile diameters below the pile head during initial driving or at a convenient location during restrike testing. A cable connects the sensors on the pile with the Pile Driving Analyzer located at ground level at a safe distance from the pile. B. The (Owner, Engineer, Contractor, Quality Control Agency) shall secure the services of a Dynamic Testing Consultant. Dynamic testing shall be performed on ____ indicator piles during the final ____ [ft, m] of initial driving and during restrike a minimum of ____ days after initial driving. C. Dynamic pile testing shall also be performed on ____ production piles. The production pile testing shall be performed during ____ (initial driving, restrike, initial driving and restrike) to monitor hammer and drive system performance, assess pile installation stresses and integrity, and evaluate pile capacity. PART TWO - MATERIALS 2.01 Equipment and Personnel A. The dynamic monitoring shall be performed using a Pile Driving Analyzer. All equipment necessary for the dynamic monitoring such as sensors, cables, etc., shall be furnished by the Dynamic Testing Consultant. The equipment shall conform to the requirements of ASTM D-4945-96, Standard Test Method for High Strain Dynamic Testing of Piles. An experienced engineer shall operate the Pile Driving Analyzer in the field. B. The Contractor shall provide power capable of operating an electric drill to install sensor attachment holes in the test piles. Battery powered drills are often acceptable for concrete or timber piles. The Contractor shall provide a 12 to 24 volt D.C. power source (e.g. car battery) for operating the Pile Driving Analyzer. PART THREE - EXECUTION 3.01 Construction Access A. Prior to lifting the pile to be dynamically tested, the Contractor shall provide a minimum of [3 ft, 1 m] of clear access to 180 degree opposite faces of the pile for pile preparation. The Dynamic Testing Consultant or the Contractor's personnel shall then drill and prepare holes in the pile for attachment of sensors. B. The Contractor's personnel shall attach the sensors to the pile after the pile has been driven to the penetration depths identified in Part 1.01 B. Driving shall then continue using routine pile installation procedures. When the

sensors approach the ground surface, water surface, or a pile template, driving shall be halted to remove the sensors from the pile to prevent damage to the sensors. If additional driving is required, the pile shall be spliced and the sensors shall be reattached to the next pile segment prior to continuing driving. 3.02 Testing Procedures A. Preconstruction Wave Equation Analyses 1. Ten days prior to driving the indicator piles, the Contractor shall submit the pile and complete driving equipment data form to the Engineer. The (Engineer, Dynamic Testing Consultant) shall use the submitted information to perform wave equation analyses and shall prepare a summary report of the wave equation results. The wave equation analyses shall be used to assess the ability of the proposed driving system to install the pile to the required capacity and desired penetration depth within the allowable driving stresses. Alternately, the Contractor may perform the wave equation analysis and submit his results to the Engineer of review. 2. Approval of the proposed driving system by the Engineer shall be based upon the wave equation analyses indicating that the proposed driving system can develop a pile capacity of ____ [kips, kN] at an acceptable driving resistance (not greater than ____ blows per [inch, 25 mm], or with at least ____ [inch, mm] set per blow) within allowable driving stress limits. The Engineer may suggest a preliminary driving criteria based on this wave equation analysis and anticipated soil strength changes after driving, subject to further dynamic testing results. 3. A new pile driving system, modifications to existing system, or new pile installation procedures shall be proposed by the Contractor if the pile installation stresses predicted by wave equation analysis or calculated by the Pile Driving Analyzer exceed the following maximum values: Compression Stresses Tension Stresses B. Indicator Pile Program 1. Indicator piles shall be driven to a capacity of ____ [kips, kN] based upon the preliminary driving resistance indicated by wave equation results. Adjustments to the preliminary driving criteria may be made by the Engineer based upon the dynamic testing results of both initial driving and restrike tests. 2. Based upon the dynamic testing results, driving records and subsurface conditions, the Engineer shall (may) select ____ (number, percent) indicator piles to be statically load tested in accordance with specification section ____.

3. All indicator piles shall be redriven with dynamic testing after a minimum waiting period of ____ days unless a pile has been selected for static load testing. The pile(s) which is(are) statically load tested to failure shall be restruck with dynamic testing within 48 hours after completion of the static load test so that a correlation between static and dynamic test results can be established for reference across the site. The restrike shall be performed with a warmed up hammer and shall consist of striking the piles for _____ blows or until the pile penetrates an additional three inches, whichever occurs first. In the event the pile movement is less than (1/2 inch, 12 mm) during the restrike, the restrike may be terminated after 20 blows, or even fewer blows if pile is known to be on hard rock. C. Production Pile Testing (See comments under 1.01 C on application) 1. Dynamic pile testing shall be performed on ____ (number, percent) piles during (initial driving, restrike, initial driving and restrike) over the duration of the production pile installation. The frequency and purposes of the dynamic testing shall be as defined in 1.01 C. 2. The Engineer may request additional piles to be dynamically tested if the hammer and/or driving system is replaced or modified, the pile type or installation procedures are modified, the pile capacity requirements are changed, unusual blow counts or penetrations are observed, or if any piling behavior differs from normal installation. 3.03 Dynamic Testing Reports A. Indicator Pile Program 1. The Dynamic Testing Consultant shall prepare a written report of the indicator pile program. This report shall include a discussion of the pile capacity results obtained from the dynamic testing and comparison with included static testing results (if performed). The report shall also discuss hammer and driving system performance, driving stress levels, and pile integrity. 2. CAPWAP analyses of the dynamic pile testing data shall be performed on data obtained from the end of initial driving and the beginning of restrike of _____ (all, 50% of the, 25% of the) indicator piles. The Engineer may request additional analyses at selected pile penetration depths to investigate potential alternate bearing layers. 3. The Dynamic Testing Consultant shall perform a refined wave equation analysis or analyses based upon the variations in the subsurface conditions and/or drive system performance observed in the indicator pile program results. B. Production Piles 1. Within one day of production pile testing, the Dynamic Testing Consultant shall prepare a hand written daily field report summarizing the dynamic

testing results. As a minimum, the daily reports shall included the calculated driving stresses, transferred energy, and estimated pile capacity at the time of testing. Variations from previous the dynamic pile tests shall also be noted. Daily field reports shall be ____ (left at the job site for the, faxed to the) Engineer. 2. CAPWAP analyses shall be performed on ____ (number, percent) of the production piles dynamically tested. 3. At the conclusion of the project, or at least once per month, the Dynamic Testing Consultant shall prepare a typed report summarizing the dynamic testing results. _____________________________________________________________________ Table 1 - FHWA Recommended Driving Stress Limits Pile Type Steel 0.9 Fy Compression Stress Stress 0.9 Fy Tension

Prestressed Concrete 0.85 f'c - fpe 3 f'c + fpe (psi - English units) Prestressed Concrete 0.85 f'c - fpe 0.25 f'c + fpe (MPa- SI units) (limit to prestress in corrosive environments) Precast Concrete reinforcement) Timber Notes: Fy = Steel Yield Strength (in psi or MPa) f'c = Concrete Compressive Strength (in psi or MPa, units as indicated in formula) fpe = Effective Prestress After Losses (in psi or MPa) (in psi or MPa) a = Allowable Timber Design Working Stress Sample Timber Allowable Stresses, a, in psi (MPa) Douglas Fir 1200 (8.3) Southern Pine 1200 (8.3) Red Oak 1100 (7.6) 3 a 3 a 0.85 f'c 0.70 Fy (of steel

Eastern Hemlock

800 (5.5)

Reference: Hannigan, P.J. et al, 1996. Workshop Manual on Design and Construction of Driven Pile Foundations, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Report No. FHWA-H1-96-033, Washington, D.C., pp. 11-3 to 11-9. Re: lit#301/3