A Comparison of Quality Management for Bored Pile/Drilled Shaft (BP/DS) Foundation Construction and the Implementation of Recent Technologies-Article

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The paper compares quality management practices and technologies for bored pile/drilled shaft (BP/DS) construction in North America and Europe. It distinguishes quality management (QM) as a coordinated process involving all project parties; quality assurance (QA) as procedures used during design and construction to prevent defects; and quality control (QC) as post-construction verification, often performed by a third party.<br /><br />Both regions use visual inspections and non-destructive testing to assess shaft geometry, cleanliness, integrity and capacity. Technologies include GPS-based drill positioning, inclinometers, ultrasonic calipers, downhole cameras and shaft inspection devices. Crosshole sonic logging (CSL) is the most common integrity test in both regions, while thermal integrity profiling (TIP) is gaining acceptance. Low-strain testing is often used for pile groups with redundancy. Static and dynamic load tests are governed by different standards, with European guidance continuing to develop alongside established ASTM methods.<br /><br />Practices vary substantially among US states and Canadian provinces, as well as among European countries, reflecting differences in regulations and local conventions. Automated positioning appears more common in Europe, while some inspection methods, such as the shaft inspection device, are largely confined to North America. Survey findings indicate that technology availability does not guarantee consistent use.<br /><br />The authors identify two major concerns: testing firms may lack sufficient understanding of construction processes and records, and project specifications are sometimes copied without regard to current technology or site needs. Inappropriate testing can produce inconclusive or misleading results. The paper recommends better professional education and more thoughtful development of standards and specifications to improve QA/QC practices.

Keywords

bored pile

drilled shaft

quality management

quality assurance

quality control

crosshole sonic logging

thermal integrity profiling

non-destructive testing

load testing

construction standards