Accuracy of Parallel Seismic Test Performance on Steel H-Piles in Layered Soils

Abstract

Parallel Seismic (PS) method is a straightforward Nondestructive Testing (NDT) method capable of providing valuable information of unknown bridge foundations made of various common construction materials such as wood, steel, and reinforced concrete. Although numerous investigations on various aspects of the method have been previously carried out, factors affecting the success of PS tests on steel H-piles still need to be investigated in more details. In the current study, PS tests were performed on steel H-piles of a highway bridge to study the selected factors affecting the signals obtained from sensors. It was revealed that factors such as striking method, presence of background noise, layered soils, and the distance between the borehole and the piles can affect the PS test data in steel H-piles. The findings of this study can help engineers in performing field tests as well as interpreting the results. The results of this experimental study could also validate a part of the conclusions of a recent theoretical study on the performance of PS tests in layered soils.