CMTL’s field technicians provide specialist foundation testing solutions to achieve your construction site’s project objectives, deadlines, and quality regulations.
In order to provide support for various structures, sufficient foundations must be in place to transfer the load of weight to areas with suitable bearing capacity and characteristics. Each of our construction foundation testing services is tailored to suit the individual site requirements and properties – providing professional, bespoke, and cost-effective solutions for even the most complex conditions.
Pile Dynamic Load Testing
Pile foundations are deep foundations, formed by long columnar elements. The foundation is described as a pile when its depth is more than three times its breadth. To accurately assess these deep foundations, we must demonstrate their response and strength – adhering to regulations as specified by either the British standard, design load, or by the consultant’s specification.
Loads are applied either dynamically or statically depending on the testing requirements. With dynamic pile testing, CMTL uses the SIMBAT technique. This is a superior technology that allows the prediction of static load settlement behaviour of bored, cast-in-place and pre-cast driven piles. With this, we are typically able to test up to 10 piles per day, with preliminary results often available the very same day to ensure that your construction project runs smoothly.
Static Load Testing of Piles
Static load testing of piles is a conclusive testing process to prove a structure’s capacity to carry or resist loads within strict safety regulations. The test is simple but effective, and works by mimicking the load that the pile has been designed to support to see how it responds.
This method of testing is said to be the most accurate for determining pile capabilities and can give you complete confidence in how the piles will perform before integration into the structure. Our static load testing service at CMTL is the most common type of pile testing. It ensures a precise and cost-effective way to determine safety compliance and structural integrity.
Pile Integrity Testing
Using the Transient Dynamic Response (TDR) method for testing, we are able to rapidly assess the integrity and depth of both pre-cast and cast of concrete piled foundations.
The TDR method for testing the integrity of and presence of defects in piles is low-strain and non-destructive, and aims to analyse acoustic anomalies corresponding to the following:
- Pile Toe Level
- Shaft restraints
- Overbreak
- Cracks
- Reductions in section
- Zones of poor-quality concrete
Pile integrity testing ensures that we discover any flaws or cracks before further damage occurs, as well being a quality assurance procedure for new construction. Our testing process is rapid, and analysis of results can be carried out instantly on site for your convenience.
Dummy Foundation/Zone Testing
A dummy foundation/zone test is used to determine the settlement characteristics of the ground under varying loads, over an extended period of time.
This test involves applying a load to a pre-prepared foundation or steel plate in predetermined increments and measuring deflection.
Zone testing is conducted after ground improvements made by dynamic compaction, soil stabilisation, vibro concrete and stone columns. A zone test may be a full-scale test of a structural member, and is suitable for both short and long-term testing.
A mini zone test (dummy footing) can be used as a limited substitute for zone tests.
Contact Us
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Parallel Seismic Testing
Occasionally, doubts about the integrity and length of concrete and sheet piling arise only after the structure is complete. The pile heads are no longer accessible and other non-destructive test methods are of little use.
This is where parallel seismic (PS) testing comes in. The PS test has been developed to be used in these situations, when the pile is still connected to the superstructure. Applications include:
- Determining the embedded depth of sheet piling
- Confirming the depth of piles underneath caps and structures
- Checking the depth of masonry and footing
This is regarded as the only reliable method of checking the integrity, quality, and length of piles beneath existing structures.
Downhole Fluxgate Magnetometer
If you’re looking to determine the depth of steel sheet piles, depth of steel reinforcement within existing piles, and depth of steel cased piles – then a downhole fluxgate magnetometer test is crucial.
Using the same access tubes as the parallel seismic borehole, this test involves a negatively buoyant magnetometer housing lowered down the borehole in pre-determined intervals.
The magnetometer consists of two wire coils (a primary and secondary) wrapped around a magnetic core. Applying an AC current to the primary coil induces a magnetic field to the second core that in turn responds with an electrical current, equal in magnitude but opposite in phase. The current from the two coils will ordinarily cancel each other out unless in the presence of another magnetic field.
The downhole fluxgate magnetometer detects magnetic fields along a single axis perpendicular to the borehole. Any ferrous material adjacent to the borehole will register on the unit as a change in magnetic flux. As the magnetometer is lowered down the borehole, the magnetic flux is recorded.
Benefits of Our Construction Foundation Testing Services
- Rapid response nationwide
- Identify emerging problems before damage spreads
- Fast turnaround of testing services, saving time and money on projects
- Comply with the relevant British and European regulations and quality standards
- Accurate analysis and test results, ensuring quality control
- Highly experienced testing team
- High quality and accurate equipment
- Increases the quality of your finished project