Our field technicians provide specialist foundation testing solutions to help you meet your construction site’s project objectives, deadlines, and quality standards.
To safely support any structure, foundations must be in place to transfer the weight of loads to areas with adequate bearing capacity. Our foundation testing services are tailored to suit individual site conditions – delivering professional, cost-effective solutions for even the most complex ground scenarios.
Our Available Tests for Foundation Piles
Pile foundations are deep foundations formed by long, column-like elements. A foundation is classed as a pile when its depth is more than three times its breadth.
To assess these deep foundations accurately, we must verify their response to load and structural strength – in line with British Standards, design loads, or the consultant’s specification.
The following pile test services are designed to ensure compliance, performance, and peace of mind on your project.
Pile Dynamic Load Testing
Loads can be applied either dynamically or statically, depending on the testing requirements. For dynamic pile testing, CTS uses the SIMBAT technique. This is a reliable method for predicting static load-settlement behaviour of bored, cast-in-place, and precast driven piles.
With this approach, we can typically test up to 10 piles per day, with preliminary results often available on-site the same day – keeping your construction project moving without delay.
Static Load Testing of Piles
Static load testing is a conclusive method used to prove a pile’s capacity to support design loads within strict safety regulations. This straightforward yet highly effective pile test simulates real loading conditions to assess how the pile will perform in service.
Our static load testing service is the most widely used method of pile testing in the UK. It provides an accurate, reliable, and cost-effective way to determine compliance and structural integrity before construction progresses.
Pile Integrity Testing
Using the Transient Dynamic Response (TDR) method, we carry out rapid pile integrity testing on precast and cast-in-situ piles. This non-destructive pile integrity test procedure is designed to identify defects and assess pile quality using low-strain acoustic measurements.
It detects anomalies related to:
- Pile Toe Level
- Shaft restraints
- Overbreak
- Cracks
- Reductions in cross-section
- Zones of poor-quality concrete
Additional Testing Services
Parallel Seismic Testing
If pile heads are no longer accessible (such as when piles are embedded beneath finished structures) traditional test methods are not viable. In these cases, parallel seismic (PS) testing is the preferred solution.
This non-destructive technique is ideal for:
- Determining the embedded depth of sheet piles
- Confirming pile depths underneath caps & existing structures
- Checking masonry & footing depths
Parallel seismic testing is widely regarded as the only dependable method for verifying pile length and quality when piles are inaccessible.
Downhole Fluxgate Magnetometer
To determine the depth of steel reinforcement, sheet piles, or steel-cased piles, a downhole fluxgate magnetometer test is essential.
Using the same borehole as the parallel seismic method, a magnetometer probe is lowered at set intervals. The system consists of two wire coils (primary and secondary) wrapped around a magnetic core. When exposed to ferrous materials near the borehole, the magnetic flux changes, and this is recorded by the device.
The fluxgate magnetometer detects these magnetic variations along a single axis, accurately identifying the depth of steel elements hidden underground.
Why Choose CTS for Construction Foundation Testing?
- Nationwide rapid response to keep your project on schedule
- Early identification of issues before they lead to costly damage
- Fast turnaround times, helping you save time & reduce project costs
- Full compliance with relevant British & European standards
- Accurate testing & analysis for reliable quality control
- Experienced testing professionals with deep industry knowledge
- High-performance equipment for precise, dependable results
- Improved overall quality of your completed structure
Need more information about our construction foundation testing services?
Whether you require on-demand site testing or a full list of available tests, just fill in your details and a member of our team will get in touch.