PDA testing for timber piles

[GSI2722]

I'm looking for instances where PDA testing has been used for timber piles (30 to 55 ft.) driven to end-bearing in dense sand/gravel. Comparison with static load testing would be particularly helpful.

Also, how many of you are using ENR formula for low capacity (less than 30 ton) timber piles. What about WEAP, Gates formula?

 

[dgillette]

I haven't heard of PDA used on timber piles, but I have been away from pile driving for a lot of years. Your best source of info is Goble, Rausche, and Likins, or Pile Dynamics, Inc.

http://www.pile.com/grl/

 

[vulcanhammer]

An interesting back and forth on this subject is found at

http://www.geoforum.com/contacts/bb/forum/viewmsg.asp?Id=1489&ForumId=24&ShowAllCheck=1

The ENR formula is recommended for timber piles at

http://www.vulcanhammer.info/drivability/ufc_3_220_02.pdf

It's still resident in some specifications but, when asked to do a drivability study, I always preferred to use WEAP. WEAP can be used for just about any impact-driven pile:

http://www.vulcanhammer.info/drivability/weap-spile.php

http://www.vulcanhammer.net

http://www.vulcanhammer.info