Quick screening
Dozens of piles can be checked in a day.
Foundation Testing
Pile Integrity Test (PIT/PET)
Low-strain testing that checks the continuity and integrity of cast-in-situ piles.
Overview
A light hammer blow on the pile head generates a stress wave whose reflections are recorded and interpreted. Discontinuities such as necking, cracks or changes in section show up in the signal, allowing many piles to be screened quickly and non-destructively.
A light hammer tap at the pile head sends a stress wave down the pile. Reflections from changes in section or quality come back and are recorded. Reading those reflections shows the pile length and flags necking, cracks, voids or contamination, without any damage to the pile.
- Non-destructive, low-strain method
- Detects major defects and changes in section
- Quick screening of large numbers of piles
- Reported per pile
Key Benefits
No damage
Non-destructive, so the pile stays fully usable.
Early defect detection
Problems are found before the pile cap is cast and loaded.
Low cost
A practical check for every pile on a project.
Where It Is Used
- Cast-in-situ bored piles
- Driven cast-in-situ piles
- Quality assurance on bridge and building foundations
- Checking piles after installation problems
How We Work
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1
Prepare the pile head
Clean and level the head to expose sound concrete.
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2
Attach the sensor
Place an accelerometer on the pile head.
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3
Tap with the hammer
Record several blows and average the signals.
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4
Interpret
Identify pile length and any anomalies, then report per pile.
What You Receive
- Signal record for each pile
- Estimated pile length
- Anomaly notes with depth
- Summary report
Key Projects
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after casting can piles be tested?
Typically after the concrete has gained enough strength, commonly a few days to a week, in line with the project specification.
Does it show pile capacity?
No. It checks integrity. Capacity needs a load test.
Have an infrastructure testing or monitoring requirement?
Tell us about your project — our engineering team will follow up on scope, instrumentation and approach.