Quality

After press-driving a pile, it can be immediately established what load this can carry on a permanent basis. To check the outer load-bearing capacity of the pile, settlement tests and, in particular cases, proof load testing to DIN EN 1997-1 are also performed.

The ERKA-Pfahl-System

The inner load-bearing capacity of the pile is guaranteed by means of hydraulic pressure testing at regular intervals on piles taken from a production batch. With pressure testing, random pile samples are tested to failure point. The permitted load is then determined by the inclusion of a safety factor. The result of the pressure test is illustrated as a load /compression curve.

Our construction sites are monitored by an independent health and safety engineering office.

Before the pressure test – The compressive strength of the pile segments is determined in a testing house. In the process, some trials are made on single cylinders and some on two cylinders standing on top of each other. The load is steadily and constantly increased until, after cracking appears, no further load increase is possible. The result of the pressure test is illustrated as a load /compression curve.

Fracture curve – Pressure testing with two 31.5 cm segments: at 2500 kN the upper segment fractures at the weld seam and the concrete breaks down.

Compression – The result of the pressure test is a characteristic load /compression curve.