Research on effect of ages and strength of concrete on wave speed in grouting pile integrality detection by low strain method in hydraulic engineering

Abstract Low strain method is the most common way to detect the integrality of piles in the hydraulic engineering since it has the advantages of simple operation and low condition for on-site test. In the detection of the integrality of concrete grouting pile via low strain method, wave speed is an important parameter to judge the integrity and length of pile. This paper studies the wave speed of cast-in-place concrete precast pile which is adapted in the engineering. Besides this, the relationship between concrete intensity and the wave speed of the body of precast pile at different ages is obtained. Via further verification, it is found that the relationship could be applied in the engineering piles, which renders a reference for wave speed at different ages in the integrity test of piles in the hydraulic engineering.