Theoretical model for investigating three-dimensional effect in integrity test of open-end pipe piles

An innovative theoretical model of non-axisymmetric vibration of pipe pile (NVPP) is proposed in this paper to investigate the three-dimensional effect in the pile integrity test (PIT) for open-end pipe piles. A new dynamic equilibrium equation of the pipe pile is established based on the stress simplification assumption. It overcomes the inaccuracies of existing three-dimensional models in predicting the longitudinal wave velocity of pile material. The surrounding soil and soil plug conform to the classical plane strain assumption, while the pile end soil is simulated by the fictitious soil annular pile developed from the traditional fictitious soil pile. Theoretical solutions for the velocity response of each point on the pipe pile top are deduced and validated against existing solutions and FEM results. The NVPP model is then applied to analyze the characteristics of testing signals of PITs for thick-wall and thin-wall pipe piles. Problems concerned in actual PITs for pipe piles are settled and practical recommendations for acquiring high-quality testing signals with minimal interference are provided.