Page 19 - BULETIN GEOTEKNIK 2023

Source: https://cdnsciencepub.com

Bi-directional

Load Test

For the Bi-directional Load Test

method, this method involves a load

cell or cells placed in the pile bore

either at the base or part of the way

up the pile shaft during the

concreting operation. The

arrangement for this test is shown in

Figure 4.

Figure 4: Bi-directional load test arrangement

Furthermore, this test is very useful in verify the mobilised end bearing capacity of the pile

tested. BDLT is recognized to be more economic sustainable for high load range of testing

scheme. Apart from that, it is also required lesser space and lesser time in setting up the test as

compared to MSLT, make is to be more environmentally friendly in highly populated urban

area.

Rapid

Load Test

Another alternative in pile load testing method is the Rapid

Load Test (RLT). This is the test that combine the principle

of static and dynamic load test, hence it is also being called

as Statnamic Load Test. RLT is able to simulate the design

load by accelerating a mass and generating a push load on

the pile head and the test load can be increase by

increasing the acceleration of the mass. Explosive is

generally used in this test to provide the mass acceleration.

Source: https://www.semanticscholar.org
As same the few load tests mentioned above, this load test

Figure 5: Schematic of rapid pile method is also being categorized as more sustainable from

load test the aspect of resources and testing time involved.

Schematic diagram of RLT is shown in Figure 5.

Advancement in pile load test technologies, from the conventional maintain static load test

to high strain dynamic pile load test, bi-directional pile load test and Rapid pile load test,

have obviously marked the focus in sustainability development in geotechnical

engineering. Therefore, it is our duty, as a geotechnical engineer, to select and propose a

load testing method by considering the aspect of sustainability apart from its cost. Decision

to adopt sustainable method is not necessarily comes with higher cost. Engineering

sustainability shall always be the balance between engineering design, economy, social

equity and the environment. Construction players, from the stakeholders, designers to the

contractors shall also play their role towards achieving a sustainable and more resilient

living environment.

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