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Dear Briana,
ASCESouth JerseyBranchwould like to invite you to our next technical meeting on Thursday, October 24, 2019; 5:30 P.M. at the Blue Monkey Tavern, in Merchantville.
Topic:
Pile Damage Assessment Using Pile Dynamic Analysis
"Pile Damage Assessment Using Pile Dynamic Analysis" will discuss pile driving issues in varying subsurface conditions. Specifically, the presentation will discuss the ability of assessing a driven pile for damage issues while the pile is being driven-in real-time. The discussion will center around the use of the Pile Dynamic Analyzer (PDA) and the basics of PDA data set-up and the PDA data output screens. The use of the PDA is a robust, viable and inexpensive tool which is commonly specified to be used on most driven pile foundations. The beauty of the PDA is that it provides key insights into the total pile driving system and the interdependencies between the subsurface conditions, the performance of the pile hammer and the driven pile. All three of these elements are required to ascertain the assumptions made by the foundation's designer -structurally and geotechnically.
A brief introduction of the PDA system is provided to the attendees which provide insight into the discussion of 'Pile Integrity' for the purposes of identifying potential damage to a driven pile. Further details are provided to demonstrate how accurate real time PDA data review is a key project site attribute that is required at the project site so that the project team can assess the viability of the pile driving. The PDA provides the impact wave signature of an impulse and return wave for each blow- the impact return wave can be interpreted as the 'heartbeat of the pile'. The PDA can lock-in and locate minor or significant changes in the smoothness of this 'heartbeat' which are commonly referred to as a pile's impedance change (Beta). Several examples of recent driven piles were discussed to relate where the PDA indicated pile damage along a pile's length and pictures of the extracted piles were provided to show these correlations. One additional key feature of the PDA that will be discussed is for the evaluation of a hammer's performance during pile driving. We will provide an example of a recent project where a pile hammer's performance was shown to decrease over subsequent test piles. The example indicates how the PDA can provide diagnostic clues about a pile hammer's performance and could potentially avoid under driven piles.
Presenter Bio:
Craig H. Olson, P.E. is a graduate of Drexel University who offers demonstrated experience in the performance of Pile Dynamic Analysis (PDA) testing, along with the completion of such related testing services as vibration and sound monitoring for public- and private-sector construction projects. He has also designed, developed and tested various aerospace subsystems for vibration and acoustic response over the past 31 years. During his early technical career, he was given increasingly more responsible roles as a test engineer and test conductor at domestic and international aerospace launch facilities with General Electric and Lockheed Martin. He has also served in a project management role for mechanical systems design, as well as the testing of construction and aerospace projects.
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