What is the difference between ultrasonic testing and small-strain testing for cast-in-place piles?
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During the construction of cast-in-place piles for a certain project, the client required that in addition to small-strain testing, ultrasonic testing be carried out to assess the integrity of the pile foundations. What is the difference between this and small-strain testing?
Small strain, also known as low strain, is used together with ultrasonic testing to assess the integrity of pile shafts. The effect is the same; it’s just the method that differs. For the inspection of pile integrity, it is advisable to use more than two methods for testing—as recommended by the standards.