Abstract: A borehole inspection device and method of using the same to measure the condition of the bottom extent of a borehole, the system having a head unit assembly with top and bottom sides and including at least one downwardly extending force sensor configured to measure a reaction force applied to the at least one sensor as it engages a bottom extent of the borehole, the inspection device being configured to be lowered into a borehole and to bring the sensor(s) into contact with the bottom extent wherein continued downward movement of the head unit creates the reaction force on the sensor(s) to determine at least one of a location of an associated debris layer, a bearing capacity of the associated debris layer, the thickness of the associated debris layer, the location of an associated bearing layer and/or the bearing capacity of the associated bearing layer.

Abstract: A testing system for load test measuring a shaft resistance and a base resistance having first and second operating units with the first operating unit having a bottom loading plate, a base bearing plate and base mobilizer bars operably joined thereto; the second operating unit having a top loading plate, a shaft bearing plate and shaft mobilizer bars operably joining them together wherein the first and second operating units can move relative to one another; the system having a loading sources producing a test load between the top and bottom loading plates to move them apart wherein the shaft bearing plate that is positioned below a foundation element produces an upward compressive force test load on the foundation element to test shaft resistance and the base bearing plate that is positioned between the shaft bearing plate and the bottom surface of the foundation opening produces a downward compressive force test load on the bottom surface to test base resistance.

Abstract: A testing system for load test measuring a shaft resistance and a base resistance having first and second operating units with the first operating unit having a bottom loading plate, a base bearing plate and base mobilizer bars operably joined thereto; the second operating unit having a top loading plate, a shaft bearing plate and shaft mobilizer bars operably joining them together wherein the first and second operating units can move relative to one another; the system having a loading sources producing a test load between the top and bottom loading plates to move them apart wherein the shaft bearing plate that is positioned below a foundation element produces an upward compressive force test load on the foundation element to test shaft resistance and the base bearing plate that is positioned between the shaft bearing plate and the bottom surface of the foundation opening produces a downward compressive force test load on the bottom surface to test base resistance.

Abstract: A borehole inspection device and method of using the same to measure the condition of the bottom extent of a borehole, the system having a head unit assembly with top and bottom sides and including at least one downwardly extending force sensor configured to measure a reaction force applied to the at least one sensor as it engages a bottom extent of the borehole, the inspection device being configured to be lowered into a borehole and to bring the sensor(s) into contact with the bottom extent wherein continued downward movement of the head unit creates the reaction force on the sensor(s) to determine at least one of a location of an associated debris layer, a bearing capacity of the associated debris layer, the thickness of the associated debris layer, the location of an associated bearing layer and/or the bearing capacity of the associated bearing layer.

Abstract: A non-contact strain and/or displacement measurement system for use with structural objects having an optical device, a data store and an image arrangement that is fixed relative to the structural object to be tested, the optical device including an image receiving device for receiving visual images and the data store being configured to record the received visual images, the image receiving device being spaced from the image arrangement by an optical spacing such that the image receiving device has a visual range that includes a portion of the structural object and the image arrangement being within the portion, the image arrangement having at least one image element wherein movement of the at least one image element during a measurement period provides image data to calculate structural object strain and/or structural object displacement.

Abstract: A non-contact strain and/or displacement measurement system for use with structural objects having an optical device, a data store and an image arrangement that is fixed relative to the structural object to be tested, the optical device including an image receiving device for receiving visual images and the data store being configured to record the received visual images, the image receiving device being spaced from the image arrangement by an optical spacing such that the image receiving device has a visual range that includes a portion of the structural object and the image arrangement being within the portion, the image arrangement having at least one image element wherein movement of the at least one image element during a measurement period provides image data to calculate structural object strain and/or structural object displacement.

Abstract: A borehole inspection device and method of using the same to measure the condition of the bottom extent of a borehole, the system having a head unit assembly with top and bottom sides and including at least one downwardly extending force sensor configured to measure a reaction force applied to the at least one sensor as it engages a bottom extent of the borehole, the inspection device being configured to be lowered into a borehole and to bring the sensor(s) into contact with the bottom extent wherein continued downward movement of the head unit creates the reaction force on the sensor(s) to determine at least one of a location of an associated debris layer, a bearing capacity of the associated debris layer, the thickness of the associated debris layer, the location of an associated bearing layer and/or the bearing capacity of the associated bearing layer.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the forming of a solid object having a sensor string positionable in a forming structure before the curing process and a communication line extending along a string axis between a first and second end. The string further including a plurality of sensors joined to the communication line between the ends and each sensor being mounted at a set position on the line. Each sensor having a sensor body and a sensor housing and the sensor body including an electrical connecter to electrically join an electrical structure to the communication line at the set position. The electrical structure including a temperature sensor configured to monitor temperature near the set position and further including an electronic identification code corresponding to the set position of the sensor along the axis. The system further including a transmitting device for selectively communicating the temperature and identification code.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the forming of a solid object having a sensor string positionable in a forming structure before the curing process and a communication line extending along a string axis between a first and second end. The string further including a plurality of sensors joined to the communication line between the ends and each sensor being mounted at a set position on the line. Each sensor having a sensor body and a sensor housing and the sensor body including an electrical connecter to electrically join an electrical structure to the communication line at the set position. The electrical structure including a temperature sensor configured to monitor temperature near the set position and further including an electronic identification code corresponding to the set position of the sensor along the axis. The system further including a transmitting device for selectively communicating the temperature and identification code.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the forming of a solid object having a sensor string positionable in a forming structure before the curing process and a communication line extending along a string axis between a first and second end. The string further including a plurality of sensors joined to the communication line between the ends and each sensor being mounted at a set position on the line. Each sensor having a sensor body and a sensor housing and the sensor body including an electrical connecter to electrically join an electrical structure to the communication line at the set position. The electrical structure including a temperature sensor configured to monitor temperature near the set position and further including an electronic identification code corresponding to the set position of the sensor along the axis. The system further including a transmitting device for selectively communicating the temperature and identification code.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the forming of a solid object having a sensor string positionable in a forming structure before the curing process and a communication line extending along a string axis between a first and second end. The string further including a plurality of sensors joined to the communication line between the ends and each sensor being mounted at a set position on the line. Each sensor having a sensor body and a sensor housing and the sensor body including an electrical connecter to electrically join an electrical structure to the communication line at the set position. The electrical structure including a temperature sensor configured to monitor temperature near the set position and further including an electronic identification code corresponding to the set position of the sensor along the axis. The system further including a transmitting device for selectively communicating the temperature and identification code.

Abstract: A pile driving analyzer (PDA) which obtains, processes and stores pile driving data. The PDA is operable as an independent self-contained unit, or may be used in conjunction with a remote computer system. Position data indicative of the position of a pile, and pile data indicative of characteristics of a pile may be automatically input to the PDA. When used in conjunction with the remote computer system, the PDA may be controlled remotely by the remote computer system. Alternatively, the PDA may be controlled locally by an operator, and data acquired by the PDA provided to the remote computer system for monitoring and/or storage.

Abstract: A pile installation recording system for driven piles and auger cast piles. The recording system records a variety of parameter data received from sensing devices. The parameter data is stored, analyzed, and displayed to provide the operator with accurate and timely information regarding the pile installation. In addition, the parameter data may be stored on removable media, and further manipulated to generate a variety of reports regarding the pile installation.

Abstract: A device for calibrating strain gages and strain transducers. The device includes an assembly with a first section and a second section positioned in relation to each other such that a gap is defined between the two sections. A strain transducer is attached to the assembly across the defined gap. The assembly includes an adjustment device which alters the position of the sections in relation to each other, thereby redefining the gap. A displacement sensor detects a displacement signal occurring due to the redefining of the gap caused by operation of the adjustment device. A strain transducer output detector detects a strain output signal occurring also due to the redefining of the gap by the adjustment device. A calibrating device inputs the signals from the displacement sensor and the strain transducer output detector and provides a calibration for the strain transducer attached to the assembly.

Abstract: An accelerometer assembly is disclosed which includes an accelerometer mounting block formed of a rigid material having a proportion of the modulus of elasticity to the density of less than 15,000,000 psi/lb/in.sup.3. The natural frequency of the mounting block is safely below the accelerometer's response frequency but higher than the frequency to be recorded so that the mounting block does not resonate with high frequency vibrations and cause quick saturation of the accelerometer amplifier or erratic signals. The preferred mounting block is formed of polycarbonate, which is non-metallic, rigid, and lightweight, and has a natural frequency sufficiently below that of the accelerometer.

Abstract: A method of constructing cast-in-place concrete piles by which the static load bearing capacity of a pile is dynamically determined during its formation. In the disclosed method, successive charges of concrete are placed into a removable casing and subsequently driven into the soil by a drop hammer. The pile may be of the pedestal type having an enlarged base for increased load capacity. The pile shaft is formed by incrementally elevating the casing and driving concrete into a vertical series of annular enlargements corresponding to the points at which the lower end of the casing is stopped. The load capacity of the pile base and the individual enlargements is determined by measuring the resistance of the soil against penetration of the several concrete portions when driven by the hammer.