Parallel seismic test and sonic pulse echo response test are effective non-destructive methods to determine the depth of an existing foundation. The paper presents a case where depth of well foundation installed for a bridge across a drain was questioned by the owner. While the contractor insisted that the well depth was 12.2 m below the well cap as per the drawings, the owner doubted it. The results conclusively proved that the well depth was about 11 m below the well cap. The tests provided a scientific basis for confirming the as-constructed depth of the foundation.
Subjects: foundation depth assessment, NDT Testing, Parallel seismic test, sonic echo response test, well foundations
Author: Ravi Sundaram, Sanjay Gupta and Sorabh Gupta
Publisher: DFI