Foundation Test Group Inc. recently performed load testing to verify the lateral capacity of drilled shafts constructed by Cook Drilling for a new expansion at Grand View Hospital in Sellersville, PA.

During lateral load testing, two 3.5 ft diameter rock socketed production drilled shafts served as reaction for one another while also being tested and monitored independently. For best execution, our team used a calibrated jack along with a steel strut configured between the drilled shafts for uniformly applying a dedicated load. Applying this method increases test efficiency by allowing for simultaneous data collection on two different length shafts, thus eliminating the need for extra reaction shafts and additional tests.

Additionally, team FTG installed an inclinometer casing to one of the reinforcing steel cages and cast it in place to aid in the analysis of the shaft's lateral performance.

By using this instrumentation, we were able to determine the point of fixity and derive a field P-Y curve which can be used to refine the original lateral design.

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