Load Testing

AIPL conducts load tests on piles for compression, tension, or lateral loads. Our test results can be used to confirm that the pile design load can be adequately supported by providing actual capacity and deflection values. These results will help project cost savings by allowing an increase in the pile design load, and a decrease in the overall pile length, or volume in problematic or unknown soil conditions.

Our testing involves the direct measurement of pile head dislodgment in response to a physically applied load. A calibrated hydraulic jack loads the test pile which in turn applies the test load to the pile by pushing against a beam placed directly over the test pile.

The test beam is controlled by an anchorage system consisting of response piles installed in the adjacent ground to provide tension resistance. As per the testing-specified testing requirements, once the load test frame is in place and fully instrumented, the hydraulic jack applies the test load in a series of increments.