Testing and Evaluation Committee The Testing and Evaluation Committee has had a busy several months. The committee organized a seminar at the Annual Confer- ence in Boston in October 2011 on non- destructive testing (NDT) of deep founda- tions. Twenty four practitioners attended the seminar, which covered all aspects of high strain dynamic pile testing, static load testing, cross-hole sonic logging, low strain integrity testing and thermal integrity testing methods. Presenters offered practical guidance on the benefits of NDT methods, determining when their use is appropriate, contract and specification issues, interpret- ing and corroborating data, acceptance criteria, assessing anomalous readings and considerations for LRFD analyses. The committee also organized the Bay Area Force-Pulse Seminar in January 2012 in Oakley, Calif. This one-day event was created to present new rapid load testing Standard ASTM D7383 for load testing of piles. Rapid Pile Load Tests (RLT) and Statnamic methods were highlighted. The seminar included technical presentations and an on- site demonstration show- casing the Fundex Rapid Load Tester and a statnamic test (via video). Presentations outlined the standards development process and the evolution and use of the testing methods, highlighted with regional case histories. Presenters emphasized the use of testing to optimize pile design and increase cost- effectiveness of project solutions. Thank you to Byrl Williams and Foundation Constructors for planning and executing this successful seminar and donating their yard for the demonstration. The committee is joining six DFI tech- nical committees (Driven Piles, ACIP Piles, Micropiles, Marine Foundations, Seismic and Lateral Load, and Drilled Shafts) to present the 2012 SuperPile Conference in Portland, Ore. The two-day agenda includes plenary and concurrent sessions, allowing attendees the choice of attending presen- Ed Hajduk, P.E., D.Eng. Committee Chair [email protected] tations of individual interest. Presentations will focus on case studies, historical devel- opment, theory and design with emphasis on practical application, new technologies and ideas for future development. Registration is now open, and more infor- mation is available at http://www.dfi.org/ conferencedetail.asp?id=200 The committee is also supporting the efforts of the ACIP Pile Committee in its development of a guidance document for NDT of augered cast-in-place piles. To join the Testing and Evaluation Committee, please send a letter of request to [email protected] on company letterhead. Technical questions are welcomed through the Committee’s Question and Answer p o r t a l a t h t t p : / /www. d f i . o r g / commhome.asp? commfield=TEST. DEEP FOUNDATIONS • MAR/APR 2012 • 61
