In 2012, the New York State Department of Transportation conducted a design phase test pile program before moving ahead with the design-build project. This new development replaces the existing Tappan Zee Bridge on Interstate 287. Project cost estimations stood at 5.2 billion dollars.

AFT’s involvement in the test pile program included Cross-hole Sonic Logging (CSL), Shaft Inspection Device (SID), and STATNAMIC™ Load Testing. Our main scope of work included axial STATNAMIC™ load testing to 5,000 tons on a 48-inch diameter steel pipe pile with a driven length of 300 feet. AFT utilized the proprietary external strain gages and mounting system at multiple subsurface levels as deep as 280 feet underground. AFT obtained highly successful and reliable strain measurements during the STATNAMIC™ load testing, which allowed high-quality load distribution data on very long piles.