Abstract:
Dynamic load testing (PDA) and the usage of Wave Equation Analysis (GRLWEAP) have been used for more than half a century to perform testing and evaluation of driven piles across the world. While the capability of PDA and GRLWEAP is widely used for driven piles with impact hammers, it is not as well understood that the equipment and software is also capable of obtaining data during installation and modeling of piles installed with vibratory hammers, which has been being performed for several decades as well. This case study examines a project in Wisconsin which had a pre-construction Wave Equation performed on a composite steel pile to be installed with a sonic grip vibratory hammer. Field data by usage of a PDA was then collected during installation on two (2) composite piles with different site conditions; one site being comprised of mostly granular material, and the other site being comprised of mostly cohesive material. The data was then assessed and analyzed to evaluate actual vibr