Dr. Celso Gontijo
Chairman of the Board
Former president of ABMS (Brazilian Association for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering)
70 years of experience in geotechnical engineering
CREA/CONFEA 1404864105
Foundation testingDynamic
Dynamic
Load Testing (PDA Testing)
High-Strain Dynamic Load Testing (PDA) is widely used to evaluate the load capacity and structural integrity of piles, providing fast, accurate, and reliable analysis for foundation validation.
Applied in infrastructure, building, energy, mining, and special foundation projects, PDA testing is essential for risk reduction, cost optimization, structural safety, and regulatory compliance.
Request a Quote- +35,000
- tests performed
- +60
- years of expertise
- Worldwide
- mobilization
- Standards
- ASTM, ABNT, and NBR
What it is
High-Strain Dynamic Load Test (PDA Testing)
Essentially, the PDA test consists of installing specialized sensors on the pile shaft to capture and process, in real-time, the data generated by the impact of a driving hammer or a free-fall system.
As a result, we obtain crucial information about the soil-pile interaction and the foundation's performance under dynamic load.
How we perform
Test steps
- 1
Pile preparation
Leveling the pile top and preparing the surface for sensor attachment and impact execution.
- 2
Sensor installation
Attaching two pairs of diametrically opposed accelerometers and strain gauges, connected to the PDA equipment.
- 3
Impact application
Controlled blow with a hammer/ram on the pile top, generating stress waves that travel through the shaft.
- 4
Data processing
Real-time acquisition and analysis of force and velocity signals by the PDA, followed by CAPWAP analysis.
- 5
Technical evaluation
Determination of mobilized load capacity, structural integrity, and shaft friction and tip resistance distribution.
Sectors we serve
Main applications
Real estate
Mining
Energy
Industrial
Infrastructure
Sanitation
Logistics
Oil and gas
Agribusiness
Delivered results
Your report includes
Load x displacement curve
Allowable load capacity
Associated settlement
Safety factor
Technical Analysis
EXCLUSIVE GEOTESTE TECHNOLOGY
Innovative solutions that redefine industry paradigms
Hammer®
Geoteste patented technology
The future of dynamic load testing has arrived. And it is autonomous.
Equipment developed, manufactured and patented by Geoteste. Remote controlled, it delivers productivity, safety and cost reduction in the field, eliminating cranes, lifting operations and auxiliary structures.
Key advantages
No lifting required
No fall risk
No rigging plan
Remote controlled
Self supporting system
No crane required
High productivity
Maximum safety
Tests battered piles
Excellence built by the largest technical team in the sector
A team of highly qualified engineers and specialists, prepared to develop safe and efficient solutions for the most diverse geotechnical challenges.
José Hermes
Geotechnical civil engineer
Board member of CREA-MG (regional engineering regulatory body in Brazil)
40 years of experience in geotechnical engineering
CREA/CONFEA 1405047593
Alexandre Gontijo
Technical Director
Geotechnical civil engineer
30 years of experience in geotechnical engineering
CREA/CONFEA 1404815503
Rodrigo Gontijo
Executive Director
Geotechnical civil engineer
26 years of experience in geotechnical engineering
CREA/CONFEA 1416959840
Maria T. Mota
Geotechnical civil engineer
11 years of experience in geotechnical engineering
CREA/CONFEA 1417059923
Diogo Bechler
Geotechnical civil engineer
10 years of experience in geotechnical engineering
CREA/CONFEA 1416378065
Filipe Almeida
Business and Operations Manager
Geotechnical civil engineer
3 years of experience in geotechnical engineering
CREA/CONFEA - 1423584910
Tatiana Baptista
Commercial Manager
Geotechnical civil engineer
9 years of experience in geotechnical engineering
Marlon Nocci
Geotechnical civil engineer
5 years of experience in geotechnical engineering
CREA/CONFEA 1420099566
Samuel Werner
Geotechnical civil engineer
6 years of experience in geotechnical engineering
CREA/CONFEA 1423765745
Aline Nonato
Geotechnical civil engineer
6 years of experience in geotechnical engineering
CREA/CONFEA 1421107996
Paulo Ricardo Parreiras
Geotechnical civil engineer
7 years of experience in geotechnical engineering
CREA/CONFEA 1418234362
Tiago Fernandes
Geotechnical civil engineer
2 years of experience in geotechnical engineering
CREA/CONFEA 1422269183
Amanda Bastos
Geotechnical civil engineer
1 year of experience in geotechnical engineering
CREA/CONFEA 1423530080
Danilo Milard
Geotechnical civil engineer
6 years of experience in geotechnical engineering
CREA/CONFEA 1422452557
Amanda Nava
Geotechnical civil engineer
3 years of experience in geotechnical engineering
CREA/CONFEA 1421602407
Ana Flávia Castro
Geotechnical civil engineer
2 years of experience in geotechnical engineering
CREA/CONFEA 1422908925
Victória Corcini
Geotechnical civil engineer
2 years of experience in geotechnical engineering
Pedro Neves
Geotechnical civil engineer
2 years of experience in geotechnical engineering
Sabrina Mendes
Geotechnical civil engineer
1 year of experience in geotechnical engineering
Why choose Geoteste
Differentiators that generate trust
We are the largest structure dedicated to foundation quality control: the sector's largest technical team and over 60 years of Grupo Gontijo's tradition in each test.
Worldwide Coverage
Mobilization of our teams and equipment for projects worldwide.
In-house equipment
Hammer®, Geoteste's patented system for PDA testing.
Largest technical team in the sector
Dedicated geotechnical civil engineers, from planning to report.
+60 years of tradition
The experience of Grupo Gontijo (since 1965) applied to each test.
Consulting engineering
Customized technical solutions.
Reports with professional accountability
ART and compliance with technical standards.
Your foundation cannot
depend on assumptions.
Rely on those who understand the subject.
Talk to a specialist now and request a customized technical proposal for your project.
Talk to an engineer- (11) 93739-0005
- contato@geoteste.com
- Worldwide Coverage