Numerical study of the use of Non-destructive Impact Test methods for the exam of integrity of concrete piles

This research includes a numerical study using Finite Element Method aims to evaluate the ability and accuracy of using Non-destructive Impact Response Method in the assessment of length and cross-sections of intact concrete pile (not deformed) in both time and frequency domains. Therefore, an appropriate numerical model depends on the modeling of both impact force (impulsive load) and distributing medium (pile + soil) and insert them in computing software ABAQUS was carried out. The numerical model was verified corresponding to field measures obtained from literature review and the results showed good agreement between measures and numerical results. Furthermore, the model was applied on a typical example in order to study vibration distribution in the pile due to impulsive load applied on pile top. Mechanical response curve of intact pile was obtained. Then, both of length and cross-section area of the pile were determined. Finally, parametrical study of most important factors (stiffness of soil surrounding the pile and length of pile embedded in the soil) effect on vibration distribution resulted from impulsive load applied on pile top. The parametrical study was carried out in two domains; first one was time domain depending on the direct analysis of particle displacement and velocity and the second was frequency domain depending on analysis of pile mechanical response curve. The results of this research enables to use the proposed numerical model to numerically obtain the time history of particle displacement and velocity in addition to the curve of mechanical response computed in the pile top and forms reference diagrams which is used later to compare with similar diagrams resulted from field test of executed piles. As a result, pile integrity test and detecting of defects in the piles if any. In addition, the limits of the use of both analysis methods adapted in research and choose the best between them according to the case study.