Pile Length Inductive Testing
The Pile Length Inductive Testing (LITE) is a non-destructive electromagnetic method used to estimate the length of deep foundations, primarily steel piles (H-piles, pipe piles, sheet piles) and reinforced concrete piles with continuous steel cages. The method is particularly useful where pile heads are accessible but the pile toe is unknown or undocumented.
Unlike stress-wave–based methods, Pile Length Inductive Testing relies on electromagnetic signal propagation along conductive elements, making it complementary to Parallel Seismic testing.
The test requires a borehole parallel to the existing pile foundation at a distance not greater than 18″.
The Pile Length Inductive Testing is generally used as a secondary test procedure along other NDT methods such as Parallel Seismic test in evaluating the unknown length of deep foundations. Learn More
Length Inductive Testing – The Concept
Length Inductive Testing is based on the transmission and reflection of a low-frequency electromagnetic signal induced along the steel component of a pile.
The probe is lowered through this access hole. The response (voltage) that the device measures significantly changes as the probe passes the vicinity of the pile toe.
As long as the probe detects the steel, it indicates “METAL.” When the probe passes the tip (toe) of the pile, the signal changes to “NO METAL,” allowing the operator to measure the depth from the cable markings.
Applications of Length Inductive Testing
Pile length inductive testing is most effective in the following scenarios:
Steel H-piles, pipe piles, and sheet piles
Reinforced concrete piles with continuous and electrically connected cages
- Verification of pile length for as-built documentation, retrofit, or reuse
Supplementary confirmation alongside Parallel Seismic or low-strain testing
Learn more about the Length Inductive test here
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