METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC LOAD TESTING USING BI-DIRECTIONAL TESTING

摘要

The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for testing the static load­bearing capacity of a pile. In an embodiment, one or more means for applying a test load can be disposed within a pile such that a pile element (2) can be above the means for applying a test load, and a pile element (3) can be below the means for applying a test load. Upon applying a test load, the pile element above the means for applying a test load and the pile element below the means for applying a test load tend to separate. The test loads applied to the pile can be controlled in response to the magnitude of the test load, the combined settlement rate of the pile elements, the displacement of the pile elements, and the compression of the pile elements. A test regime can continue until a programmed regime is completed or fail-safe trigger event occurs.