Procedure Manual for the Rapid Load Test

M2C developed the procedure to implement the newly developed Rapid Load Test (RLT) using numerical methods to simulate the dynamic test procedure. This new testing equipment can be used to test the axial capacity of piles using a mass of 25,000kg dropped from various drop heights on top of the test pile or drilled pier. A load is applied over a period of 2 milliseconds to simulate the application of dynamic loads. Pile load settlement curves are obtained and ultimate pile or drilled pier capacities are predicted. This test procedure was modeled using the finite-difference analysis computer program FLAC. FLAC results compared well with the actual measurements for the Bay Street test site in Emeryville, California.