Sonic Echo/Impulse Response for Pile Integrity Testing
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Product FlyerSonic Echo-Impulse Response is used for low strain integrity testing of piles and determination of deep foundation length.
The Sonic Echo-Impulse Response test method (also known as the Pile Integrity Test, or PIT) is designed to determine the length and integrity of foundations when the top or part of the upper side of the foundation is accessible. This method can be used on both new and existing foundations and is performed by impacting the foundation and recording echoes from a defect or the foundation bottom with a nearby receiver(s). This Pile Integrity Test method works best for columnar type foundations such as piles and drilled shafts, but has also been used successfully on mat foundations, abutment walls, and similar structures. Sonic Echo-Impulse Response is applicable on concrete, wood, and round steel pipe foundations.
The Sonic Echo (SE) method is normally conducted in conjunction with the Impulse Response (IR) method together as the Sonic Echo/Impulse Response method. The SE function in Olson's SE/IR-1 Model uses the time domain data for the interpretation of reflections. The IR function provides the user with the ability to transform data from time domain into frequency domain. The software then automatically calculates the transfer and coherence functions, which may be useful for data quality analysis as well as providing further information about reflections within the structure. Olson Instruments also sells a base model SE-1 system that exclusively uses the Sonic Echo methodology without the Impulse Response analysis. This system, along with its associated software, uses only the time domain information in the data for the interpretation of reflections.
Data Platform Required, Sold Separately
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Freedom Data PC |
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NDE 360 |
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FTG requires Windows Device (performs SE only) |
Olson's SE and SE/IR Models are sold as add-on systems for the NDE 360 and Freedom Data PC platforms while the Foundation Test Gauge (FTG), which performs SE only, is designed to be used with a Windows Device supplied by the user.
The SE/IR-1 + PS-1 Model combines Sonic Echo/Impulse Response (SE/IR) with Parallel Seismic (PS) for complete foundation testing at a reduced price as the systems share many common components.
Applicable On:
- Drilled Shafts
- (Bored Piles)
- Auger Cast Concrete Piles
- Driven Concrete Piles
- Bridge Abutments
- Wall Piers
- Wood Piles
Test For:
- Cracks
- Voids
- Soil Intrusions
- Uncured or Weak Concrete
- Diameter Changes
(bulb or neck) - Deep Foundation Depths
Meets ASTM:
- ASTM D5882-00
Meets ACI:
- ACI 228.2R
Key Features & Specifications
| System design allows for fast and accurate field measurements | Exponentially amplify time domain SE data with time to enhance weak echoes |
| Real-time waveform display while testing | Digital filtering of SE data with lowpass, highpass, bandpass and bandreject options to enhance identification of echo events and minimize background noise |
| System is compact, durable, and easily transported allowing for multiple tests per day | Mobility transfer function display (velocity/force versus frequency) of IR results to identify resonant peaks indicative of echo depths and average mobility |
| Accurate within 5% in determining foundation depth | Flexibility transfer function display (displacement/force versus frequency) of IR results to identify pile head stiffness at low frequency |
| Automatic/manual selection of echo events in SE/IR records with Olson's WinSEIR software and echo depth prediction based on user input velocity (English or metric units). | Advanced user-tunable automatic first signal arrival picking algorithm |
| Ability to perform tests with both accelerometer and geophone transducers simultaneously in SE or IR tests | Integrate and average acceleration and velocity response data to velocity in SE tests for enhanced identification of echoes |
SE-1 [Base Model]
| Description: | Test For: | Applicable On: |
| The SE-1 Model is the base model. This system includes an accelerometer and a hammer with interchangeable plastic to rubber tips for one channel of data acquisition. Processing is done in the time domain only for the interpretation of reflections. Download System Overview PDF |
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SE/IR-1 Model
| Description: | Test For: | Applicable On: |
| The SE/IR-1 Model includes a geophone, an accelerometer, and an instrumented impulse hammer for 3 channels of data acquisition and processing in both the time domain (SE) and frequency domain (IR).The Impulse Response (IR) option in this system provides the user with the ability to transform the data from the time domain into the frequency domain. The software then automatically calculates the transfer and coherance functions, which is useful for data quality analysis as well as providing additional information about reflections within the structure. Download System Overview PDF |
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SE/IR-1 + PS-1 Model
| Description: | Test For: | Applicable On: |
| Best bundled deal for comprehensive foundation testing at a lower cost compared to purchasing the systems separately as the systems share many common components. The bundled testing systems include: Sonic Echo/Impulse Response (SE/IR) Parallel Seismic (PS) |
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Hands-on training is available for all of our NDE test methods at our Wheat Ridge, Colorado (USA) location, which is a suburb located approximately 15 minutes northwest of downtown Denver. Training may be available at your location by one of our agents/engineers upon special arrangement.