Pile Installation Recorder (PIR-Q)

An Automated Monitoring Equipment that assists in the installation of augered cast-in-place (ACIP)/continuous flight auger (CFA) and drilled displacement piles by displaying pumped grout/concrete as a function of depth in real time.

  • Records and displays accurately measured, pumped grout volume and auger depth in real time, optionally with grout pressure or torque measurements and RPM
  • Installation log results printed immediately on a small field printer
  • Data collection can be monitored remotely in real-time
  • May be installed in any type of dedicated or general purpose drilling rig equipment
  • Can be used in low headroom applications
Categories: ACIP/CFA & DD Piles

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  • Description
  • Technical Specifications
  • Reference Materials
  • Downloads

The PIR-Q is an Automated Monitoring Equipment that assists in the correct installation of augered cast in place (ACIP) / continuous flight auger (CFA) and drilled displacement piles by displaying target versus actual poured concrete volume in real time.

The equipment may be installed in any crane, including those operating with low headroom. As the crane proceeds from pile to pile, the operator easily monitors the installation of every pile on the job.

The key parameters for a precise installation are pumped grout volume and auger depth. The PIR-Q accurately records and displays both in real time. The equipment consists of a main unit installed in the crane cabin, a depth measurement device*, a Foxboro magnetic flow meter, a pressure transducer that gives an indication of the auger torque and an auger rotation measurement.

The PIR-Q is totally operated through the touch screen display of the main unit. Its large readouts provide useful, easy to see information to the crane operator.

Results may be printed in the form of an installation log, on a small field printer, immediately after each pile is completed. Once data is downloaded to a computer the PIR-PLOT Software performs further analysis and outputs installation and productivity reports, along with graphs of key parameters versus depth.

The Pile Installation Recorder conforms with the Federal Highway Administration Geotechnical Engineering Circular (GEC) #8 – and with the Deep Foundations Institute Augered Cast-In-Place Piles Manual.

* US Patent No. 8612175

 

“Chris-Hill Construction Company, LLC is pleased to report that the few auger cast projects in which we have rented the PIR turned out much better than we anticipated. The installation was simple, the PIR system performed without any faults and the overall savings in grout basically paid for the rental. The paper trail that the PIR gives the contractor is like a 3rd party inspector for the contractor. There is no more need for sloppy, hand written field reports laced with mud and grout. The supervisor can spend his time ‘supervising’ the project and not counting pump strokes. And the office does not have to waste their time trying to interpret and reprint something that [may be illegible]. Thanks PDI for another innovative device made to simplify a complicated industry.”

– Craig Christenbury, Chief Manager, Chris-Hill Construction Company, LLC

“The first time we used it, we identified a soft area at the toe that we had missed during our regular inspection. Since then, we specify the PIR on all of our auger cast pile projects.”

– Philip Erbland, Ardaman & Associates, Inc.

PIR-Q Technical Specifications

21-121

PDF Format

Main Unit

Size: 60 x 180 x 228 mm (2.36 x 7.08 x 8.97 in)
Weight: 1.5 kg (3.30 lbs.)
Mounting: Inside crane cabin
User Interface: High Visibility Color LCD with LED Backlighting
Power: 12 or 24 V DC (Typically uses crane battery).
Temp Range: operating 0° to 40° C (32° to 104° F); storage -20° to 65° C (-4° to 149° F)
Electronics: PC compatible processor, running Microsoft Windows® 10; 32-bit Microprocessor with 10-bit Analog to Digital Converter
Data Storage: Minimum of 128 GB Solid State Drive (SSD)
Data Export: USB
Printer Interface: USB

Flow Tube-Meter

Type: Magnetic Flow Meter
Mounting: In line with main grout line, 76 to 152 mm diameter (2.99 to 5.98 in)
Size: 775 x 405 x 470 mm (30.5 x 15.9 x 16.02 in)
Weight: 47 kg (3.30 lbs.)
Max Flow Rate: 625gpm with 76 mm (2.99 in) grout line; 2440gpm with 152 mm (5.98 in) grout line
Accuracy: +2%

Grout Pressure Measurement Unit

Type: Pressure transducer
Mounting: On magnetic flow tube
Max Range: Up to 1000 PSI
Output Signal: 4-20mA output

Torque Measurement Unit

Type: Pressure transducer (hydraulic pressure applied to gear motor – “torque pressure” – relates to auger torque)
Mounting: On Hydraulic line powering the gear box
Max Range: Up to 10000 PSI
Output Signal: 4-20mA output

Wireless Rotation Measurement Unit

Type: Proximity switch
Mounting: Mounts on gear box
Size (diameter x length): 18 x 50 mm (0.05 x .16 in)
Weight: 114 g
Functionality: Normally open
Max Switching Frequency: 200 Hz
Sensing range: 10 mm (.39 in)
Repeatability: .01 mm (.0003 in)

Wireless Transmitter

Size: 60 x 76 x 175 mm (2.36 x 2.99 x 6.88 in)
Weight: 0.7 kg (1.54 lbs.)
Transmission Range: 100 m (3.93 in)
Frequency: 2.4 Ghz
Electronics: 32-bit 24 MHz microcontroller, 12-bit digital to analog converter
Mounting: On auger gear box
Power: Rechargeable battery, size 60 x 76 x 175 mm (2.36 x 2.99 x 6.88), run time at least 24
hours
Temp Range: 0° to 40° C (32° to 104° F), operating; -20° to 65° C (-4° to 149° F) storage

Other

Paper Summary Print Out for each Pile
User selectable depth increment
Results in SI or English units
Includes PIRPLOT Software License
One-year warranty on main unit
Technical manual provided in PDF form on a USB drive