Dynamic Pile Monitoring, often called Pile Driving Monitoring, helps achieve a safe and economical driven pile installation.

During pre-construction test programs, Pile Driving Monitoring helps formulate driving criteria. During the installation of production piles, it helps ensure that driving happens in accordance with the established criterion. It gives information on soil resistance at the time of monitoring and on driving performance. Dynamic Monitoring with the PDA also reveals driving stresses, helping prevent pile damage. If damage is imminent, it shows an alert early enough to save the pile from complete destruction. Pile Monitoring happens during driving in real time, without slowing down construction.

When the pile driving hammer impacts the pile top, accelerometers and strain transducers attached to it obtain data that is converted to velocity and force readings. GRL analyzes the measurements with a Pile Driving Analyzer^® (PDA). Data obtained during Pile Driving Monitoring may be used to estimate bearing capacity during driving with iCAP^®, or after data collection with CAPWAP^®.

GRL offers Vibration Monitoring as a complement to this service. Vibration Monitoring is particularly recommended when pile driving takes place in dense urban areas where adjacent structures may be of concern.

Dynamic Pile Monitoring is based on the Case Method of pile testing and is known as the High Strain Method. It is covered by ASTM D4945-08 Standard Test Method for High-Strain Dynamic Testing of Piles.

Most GRL Engineers have achieved Advanced Level or higher on both the PDCA/PDI Dynamic Measurement and Analysis Proficiency Test and on the Foundation QA (FQA) High Strain Dynamic Pile Testing Examination.