Pile Integrity Tester (PIT- V & FV)

PIT performs Low Strain integrity testing, also called Sonic Echo or Pulse Echo Testing. The PIT may be used for auger cast-in-place (CFA) piles, drilled shafts, driven concrete piles, concrete filled pipes and timber piles. It detects potentially dangerous defects such as major cracks, necking, soil inclusions or voids and, in some situations, can determine unknown lengths of piles that support existing bridges or towers.
PIT data is evaluated in the field or transferred to a personal computer for further analysis by the PIT-W software. The lightweight PIT unit is operated by one person, has an easy-to-use touch screen, and runs an entire day on its internal rechargeable battery.
The PIT test consists of attaching an accelerometer to the top or side of the foundation to be tested. The accelerometer acquires data resulting from the impact of a small hand held hammer (instrumented or not). If a defect is present along the shaft, its size and location can be estimated by analyzing the propagation and reflection of the wave induced on the foundation by the hammer impact. It is also possible to estimate the depth of the pile toe.