2006 Edition

(3) The results of integrity tests shall be used to enable the Engineer to select piles for further testing. (4) Non-destructive integrity tests, if required, shall be carried out by an independent Testing Firm as agreed by the Engineer. The Contractor shall provide attendance and other preparatory works as required. The Contractor shall provide the Testing Firm with a copy of the ground investigation report, a Site plan showing bore hole locations and pile layout and a list of the piles to be tested with the date of concreting, total length, length of casing (if any), diameter and volume of concrete used plus any other relevant information required for the testing of the pile. Non-compliance: integrity tests on piles 8.93 If the result of any integrity test on a pile does not comply with the specified requirements, additional tests shall be carried out. The number of additional tests shall be as instructed by the Engineer. (1) Before concreting, the Contractor shall install 4 nos. (which may be reduced to 3 nos. if the pile shaft is too congested to accommodate 4 nos.) watertight steel tubes of thickness not less than 2.5 mm and internal diameter not less than 42 mm and without internal projections over the full depth of each of the bored cast-in-situ piles. Amd 1/2010 (2) Sonic tests shall be carried out for all bored cast-in-situ piles unless otherwise agreed by the Engineer. An independent specialist-testing consultant appointed by the Contractor and approved by the Engineer shall conduct the tests to verify the homogeneity and integrity of the hardened concrete. The Contractor shall submit the proposed procedures for sonic tests to the Engineer for approval at least 14 days before concreting. (3) The equipment for sonic testing shall consist of a signal transmitter probe and a signal receiver probe, which may be lowered into the tubes installed in the piles either in tandem or singly. The results of the sonic testing shall be displaced on a recording oscilloscope at the top of the pile. (4) The signal emitted by the transducer shall be in the spectrum of 100Hz to 60kHz and of variable emission pulse rate between 1 and 20 cycles per second to suit the testing requirements. (5) The recording oscilloscope shall be of the storage type with signal modulation representation of the received signal on a horizontal tracing: bright spots correspond to peaks and signal blanks to troughs. (6) For one-tube installation, a single log shall be taken with probes set 1m apart in the same tube. For two or more tubes, measurements shall be taken between adjacent tubes plus one diagonal where applicable. (7) The Contractor shall ensure that the probe matches the tube diameter to minimize concrete-tube-probe signal alternation or misleading results will arise. (8) Results shall be in the form of time delay versus pile depth. The results shall be recorded on the oscilloscope screen and photographed. The testing consultant shall submit the test reports and photographic traces directly to the Engineer within 48 hours of making the tests. The submitted materials shall become the property of the Employer.

Sonic tests on bored cast-in-situ piles

8.94

8.23

2006 Edition
(9) Voids formed by the steel tubes shall be pressure-grouted in accordance with the Contract at such times as agreed with the Engineer. (10) 3 sonic pipes are required if each diaphragm wall or barrette of dimension is less than 3 m long and a minimum of 6 sonic pipes is required if each diaphragm wall or barrette of dimension of more than or around 5.6 m. Sonic logging test shall be carried out for all barrettes and loading panels of diaphragm wall. The frequency of testing shall be minimum 10% for non-loading panels. Amd 1/2010

TESTING: BENTONITE SLURRY

Samples: bentonite slurry 8.95 (1) Samples of bentonite slurry shall be provided for testing at a frequency agreed by the Engineer. Samples for testing to determine the density of the slurry shall be provided each day. A sample of bentonite slurry taken from the base of the excavation shall be tested to determine the density of the slurry before placing of concrete. (2) The method of sampling and the sampling apparatus shall be as agreed by the Engineer. Testing: bentonite slurry 8.96 (1) Each sample of bentonite slurry shall be tested to determine the properties as stated in Tables 8.2A, 8.2B, 8.2C and 8.2D. Amd 1/2010 (2) The method of testing shall be as stated in Table 8.2.

(3) The measuring device for testing density shall be readable and accurate to 0.005 g/mL. (4) Samples to be tested for viscosity using the Fann viscometer shall be screened before testing using a 300 m BS test sieve. Compliance criteria: bentonite slurry 8.97 (1) The results of tests on bentonite slurry shall be as stated in Table 8.2.

(2) Tests to determine the shear strength and pH value shall be discontinued if the results of tests indicate that a consistent working pattern has been established, taking account of the mixing process, blending of freshly mixed and previously used slurry and processes used to remove impurities from previously used slurry. If there is a subsequent change in the established working pattern, the tests to determine shear strength and pH value shall be reintroduced unless otherwise permitted by the Engineer. Non-compliance: bentonite slurry 8.98 If the results of tests for density, viscosity, filter cake, sand content or fluid loss do not comply with the specified requirements, or if the results of tests for shear strength or pH value do not indicate a consistent working pattern, the bentonite slurry shall be deemed unsuitable for the work and concrete shall not be placed in the slurry. The slurry shall be replaced or its composition adjusted before concrete is placed. Amd 1/2010

8.24