Pile Driving Analyzer Model 8G

System for dynamic load testing and pile driving monitoring

Bearing capacity of all types of deep foundations
The Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA) eighth generation (8G) system acquires data from accelerometers
and strain transducers attached to a pile or shaft so that High Strain Dynamic Tests (ASTM
D4945) may be performed. The tests require the impact of a pile driving hammer or, if that is
not available, of a suitable drop weight.

High Strain Dynamic Load Test with the PDA-8G

The PDA-8G assesses bearing capacity and structural integrity. Preliminary field
results are further analyzed with the CAPWAP software, for results that correlate very well
with static load tests. High Strain Dynamic Load Tests may be performed on drilled shafts,
continuous flight auger, cast-in-situ or driven piles. The PDA-8G has new features that
make it easier to use for drilled shaft testing, such as the option of conducting the
test with four or more wireless strain transducers. When a ram of sufficient
mass is used, high strain dynamic load tests performed with the
The PDA-8G is sleek, light
PDA may meet Rapid Load Test standards (ASTM D7383).
and ergonomic. Its large screen responds

to gesture controls like swiping and pinch-to zoom.

The Pile Driving Analyzer model 8G is designed with the field engineer in
mind. Its screen, with a higher resolution LCD than previous generations
of PDAs, displays measured signals and calculated results in real time,
and allows more options to be viewed simultaneously.

(Remote Testing*)
A cost and time efficient alternate to traditional on-site testing
The engineer performs Pile Driving Monitoring or Dynamic Load Tests
from any office
Real time field to office data transmission via Internet
Simple field setup
PDA-8G in the field

*U.S. Patent No. US 6,301,551 B1

Pile Driving Monitoring with the PDA-8G

Pile Driving Monitoring helps establish the Driving Criterion and contributes to safe and economical production pile installation. The PDA-8G
calculates the capacity of driven piles at the time of testing
(by Case Method and iCAP), driving hammer performance,
driving stresses, and indicators of pile integrity. The enhanced
data transmission of the PDA-8G allows testing during driving with fast
hitting hammers having blow rates as high as 120 bpm, without loss
of data.

Wireless Mode
No cables from the accelerometers and strain transducers to the PDA.
Fast signal transmission of up to 100 m (330 ft) through WiFi

The PDA-8G may also be used with cabled (traditional) accelerometers

and strain transducers.

Receiving test data with SiteLink.

Quality Assurance for Deep Foundations

Four or Eight Universal Data Channels

Most High Strain Dynamic Tests require only 2 strain transducers and 2
accelerometers installed near the top of the foundation. These 2 pairs
of sensors are sufficient to obtain the force and velocity records needed
for the PDA calculations, thus making four channels of data acquisition
adequate for most driven pile tests.
Eight channels of data acquisition - 4 strain transducers and 4 accelerometers - are recommended for dynamic tests of augered cast-in-place /
continuous flight auger piles and drilled shafts, and might be helpful
for spiral-welded pipes. Eight channels are also essential for dynamic
measurements to be made simultaneously on follower and pile,
and when a pair of accelerometers and strain transducers
is installed at a second location along the length of the
foundation (for example by embedding sensors near
the toe of a concrete pile). The 8 channels of
data acquisition of the PDA model 8G are
universal: any combination of accelerometers and strain transducers
may be used.
All PDA-8G channels, either
in Wireless or Traditional
modes, are compatible with
Smart Sensors (no need to input
sensor calibration into the PDA).

clockwise from top right: Wireless

Transmitter, Accelerometer and
Strain Transducer

Engineers around the world have been using the PDA for more than
four decades. High Strain Dynamic Tests performed with the PILE
DRIVING ANALYZER are standardized by ASTM 4945 and are recognized by, among others, National Codes of Australia, Brazil, Canada,
China, Egypt, Qatar, United Kingdom and Eurocode 7; International
Building Code (USA); American Association of State Highway Officials,
US Federal Highway Administration and most US Departments of
Transportation; regional, provincial or municipal governments in
Argentina, Mexico and the Philippines; the American Society of Civil
Engineers, Deep Foundations Institute and Pile Driving Contractors
Association.

Software:

PDA systems include licenses of CAPWAP ,

GRLWEAP and of the PDA software suite. The PDA software
suite includes PDA-S with iCAP, PDIPLOT2 and PDI-Curves.
CAPWAP uses force and velocity records measured by the PDA sensors
to, by signal matching, determine resistance distribution and dynamic
soil response and simulate a static load test. Hundreds of comparisons
demonstrate the very good correlation of CAPWAP analysis with static
load testing results. CAPWAP analysis of PDA data is the standard of
practice for Dynamic Load Testing.
GRLWEAP is a wave equation analysis program that simulates pile
driving. It can be used to evaluate driving stresses and select a hammer
for efficient installation or to evaluate the suitability of a drop weight
system for the Dynamic Load Test of a drilled shaft.
PDA Software Suite
PDA-S offers a more intuitive interface than former PDA programs,
and runs both in the PDA-8G and in an office computer during post
processing, offering touchscreen as well as desktop functionality and
simplifying the software learning process. In addition to soil resistance
at the time of the test, PDA-S outputs a vast array of other variables,
customized by the user for each application. PDA-S also issues warnings
and alerts during data input and acquisition. It outputs fully customized
graphs, with up to three graphs appearing on the screen in real time.

iCAP calculates capacity at the time of testing through a signal

matching procedure performed during Pile Driving Monitoring. Because
it is based on CAPWAP logic, it is a step beyond capacity determined
by the Case Method. With no user interaction, iCAP extracts the soil
behavior from dynamic measurements, computes capacity at the time
of test, and produces a simulated static load test graph in real time.
The PDA-8G offers one touch iCAP results in the field.

PDIPLOT2 generates tables and plots of any PDA quantity PDA

versus blow number, length, elevation or any other quantity. It
provides the statistical summary output required by ASTM D4945
and is fully customizable.

PDI-CURVES combines plots of Force-Velocity versus time (required

by ASTM D4945), and of other quantities from multiple PDA-S files
in one single document.

Please contact Pile Dynamics for information on compliance with

standards from other countries.

Selected PDA-8G Features: 320 X 250 X 68 mm, 5 kg, replaceable

battery, external 12V battery connection, battery indicator, Microsoft
Windows 7 Operating System, Ethernet port, 4 USB ports. For complete
current specifications visit www.pile.com/specifications.

30725 Aurora Road

Cleveland, OH 44139 USA

PDA-S software

Printed on recycled paper.

2014, Pile Dynamics, Inc.
Specifications subject to change without notice.

+1-216-831-6131 [email protected] www.pile.com