Patent ID: 9605404
Date: 2017-03-28
CPC Classifications: E02D,G01M,G01N

Claim:
1. A method for using low-overhead equipment to conduct dynamic load testing a test pipe pile for a deep pile foundation being constructed underneath an elevated, existing building, comprising the steps of: a) driving the test pipe pile using low-overhead equipment, the test pipe pile comprising a starter pile segment and an uppermost pile segment having a top end, the starter pile segment being disposed at one end and the uppermost pile segment being disposed at the opposite end, the starter pile segment creates disturbed soil surrounding the starter pile segment as the starter pile segment is driven; b) injecting grout under pressure into the test pipe pile during the driving thereof so that grout exits through a grout port to mix with the disturbed soil to encase the test pipe pile in a grout-soil mixture; c) leaving a portion of the uppermost pile segment of the test pipe pile above grade; d) attaching at least one of a plurality of sensors to the uppermost pile segment, the at least one of a plurality of sensors being disposed above grade and spaced a distance from the top end of the uppermost pile segment; e) disposing a strike plate over the top end of the of the uppermost pile segment; f) positioning a drop weight suspended from low-overhead equipment over the strike plate and underneath the elevated, existing building; g) dropping the drop weight to transfer impact force to the strike plate and the test pipe pile; h) sending information to a pile driving analyzer device, the information being characteristics of the test pipe pile derived from the sensors and resulting from the impact force; i) determining the acceptability of the test pipe pile for the deep pile foundation; j) connecting a pile cap to the top end of the uppermost pile segment; and k) securing the pile cap to the existing building.