Analysis of Pile Integrity Executed in Improved Soil

Pile integrity testing (PIT) is a widely applied and straightforward method for assessing the geometric characteristics and quality of constructed piles. However, its reliability strongly depends on the availability of comprehensive data regarding geological conditions and the construction process. This paper presents a practical case where the absence of information on soil improvement by jet grouting initially led to misinterpretation of pile reflectograms, with piles classified as potentially defective. The heterogeneities introduced by jet grouting significantly affected the reflectograms, creating apparent negative reflections that complicated interpretation. To address this uncertainty, comparative analysis of multiple signals was performed, supported by available geotechnical data. Furthermore, static load tests were conducted on selected piles, confirming their bearing capacity and proving that the initial assessment based solely on reflectograms was misleading.