Integrity Evaluation of PCC Piles Using the Surface Reflection Method

Abstract

The surface reflection method was used in this study to evaluate its applicability and limitations in the evaluation of the integrity of pour concrete‐cased (PCC) piles. Parametric studies of the surface reflection technique were carried out numerically and experimentally, and the responses were analyzed both in the time and frequency domains. It was found that the length of the PCC piles can be determined with confidence in both domains. However, detecting the integrity of PCC piles in the time domain seems more appropriate than that in the frequency domain. Also, the relative angle between the impact and receivers should not be larger than 90° to obtain satisfactory accuracy in the determination of the defect depth.