Foundation Pile Set Measurements Posted in: AR1000 Laser Distance Sensor – Tags: Building Materials and Equipment, Displacement Measurement

A new manufacturer of foundation testing equipment developed the PileTrac Pile Set Monitor (PSM). The system improves the process for collecting and reporting pile set measurements during pile driving. Pile set is used to confirm pile driving requirements and for input into signal matching programs for prediction of static pile capacity.

Conventional pile set measurements (typically at end-of-initial drive or beginning of re-strike) are performed by placing a worker in close proximity to the pile and manually marking the pile between hammer impacts. Conventional pile set measurement are often inaccurate with missed blows and/or marks or marks made without a fixed reference point.

The PileTrac Pile Set Monitor consists of an Acuity AR1000 laser distance sensor in combination with data acquisition and processing software to collect pile set data. The rangefinder is affixed to a stationary base. The automated equipment is set up prior to starting of the hammer and does not require the use of manual recording methods.

Since data is acquired at a rate much faster than the hammer impacts, stable distance readings between the pile mounted target and ground mounted laser are achieved between hammer impacts which permits accurate computation of permanent set and blow count. The PSM may be used for many other engineering and construction applications such as bridge deck deflection monitoring, confirmation of rod penetration during SPT sampling, or for distance or displacement measurements to confirm performance of foundations or structural systems under loading.