Barrette Testing in Europe
O-cell bi-directional testing technology has enhanced the testing capabilities of barrettes worldwide. Now this method of testing barrettes has entered the European domain with testing in several key locations across the continent and taking the load testing capacity of barrettes to a new level. Loadtest has recorded mobilised loads of 237MN in a barrette and has tested âTâ sections and sizes from 2.5m to 7m in length and several full size barrettes have been loaded simultaneously.
Testing of barrettes has previously been either ignored or loads have not been tested to the full capacity. Reaction systems normally require anchors, which necessitates the need to mobilise a separate piling rig, or large kentledge constructions which are both expensive to erect and have proved dangerous in their use. Reaction systems to provide traditional top down loads in excess of 40MN are non-existent in Europe, whereas O-cell bi-directional testing can easily provide this load and substantially more.
Barrette testing in recent years has taken Loadtest's European operation to Milan, Kiev, Romania and St. Petersburg covering a wide range of mobilised loads, sizes and shapes. As more and more foundations utilise barrette construction for their foundation design, Loadtest are confident that bi directional testing will play a key role in future barrette foundation developments. 