Numerical simulation and experimental study of Parallel Seismic test for piles

The theoretical capabilities of the Parallel Seismic (PS) test for determining the length of piles and characterizing possible defects are investigated in this paper. In deriving the theory, a correction factor is proposed in this paper to enhance the accuracy of the prediction. An axisymmetric finite element (FE) model was developed to carry out a series of parametric studies which included the effects of the pile length, the pile-to-borehole distance and the stiffness of surrounding soil. A miniature experiment using an aluminum bar embedded in epoxy prism was also designed and tested in the lab to verify the theory and to demonstrate the use of the correction factor. The results from the experiment and the numerical FE model were also compared to expose the potential of this nondestructive method to in situ application. The model was further modified to simulate the PS test on defective piles with axisymmetric necks and bulges. It can be concluded that the geometric configuration of a pile and the possible significant defect can be characterized with this nondestructive test.