Statnamic load testing using water as reaction mass

The following paper describes experiments performed in Hamilton, Canada, using water as reaction mass for Statnamic testing. These trial tests represented the first such tests performed in the world. These tests were performed in Lake Ontario, on a 323 mm diameter pipe pile driven in 8 m of water. The tests were performed using a 0.6 MN Statnamic device and hydraulic catching mechanism with a specially designed hanging structure from which a submerged steel container was used to contain a mass of water. The goal of the testing was to investigate the potential for using water to replace concrete and steel for use as reaction mass for Statnamic tests. This paper also describes Statnamic test results from the first two Statnamic testing contracts for the Port of Lake Charles, Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA. These jobs were performed by Applied Foundation Testing, Inc. of Green Cove Springs, Florida, USA. These tests were performed on square concrete piles, with test loads ranging From 4.0 MN to 5.0 MN. This paper also summarizes the theoretical research conducted by Middendorp and Courage in 1995, which influenced the design of the actual water reaction mass assemblies for the experimental, work of 1998.