Pile Load Test

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Pile Load Test
 Used to determine :
Load Carrying Capacity of Pile/Piles
-Ultimate Load Value
-Safe Load Value
-Settlement Under Different Values of Load
Types of Test
 1.) Initial Load Test
 2.) Routine Load Test
Initial Load Test
 -Performed to confirm the design load calculations and to
provide guidelines for setting up the limits of acceptance for
routine tests
 -Gives an idea of the suitability of the piling system
 -To be carried out at one or more locations depending on the
number of piles required
 Load applied for the initial (cyclic) load test is 2.5 times the
safe carrying capacity of the pile.
Routine Test
 Selection of piles for the Routine Test is done based on
number of piles required subject to maximum of 1.5% of
total number of piles required.
 The number of tests may be increased to 2% depending on
the nature / type of structure. The test load applied is 1½
times the safe carrying capacity of the pile.
Routine Load Test
 This test will be performed for the following
purposes:
 - To ensure the safe load capacity of piles
 - Detection of any unusual performance contrary to
the findings of the Initial Test.
General Requirements
 Pile test may be carried out on a single pile or a group of
piles as required . In case of pile groups, caps will be
provided such that the required conditions of actual use are
fulfilled.
 Generally, the load application and deflection observation
will be made at the pile top.
 In particular cases where upper part of pile is likely to be
exposed later on due to scour, dredging or otherwise, then
capacity contributed by that portion of the pile during load
test shall be duly accounted for. The pile groups in these
conditions shall be tested without their cap resting on the
ground.
General Requirements
 The test should be carried out at cut-off level wherever
practicable, otherwise suitable allowance shall be made in the
interpretation of the test results/test load if the test is not
carried out at cut-off level.
Types of Test depending on Load Type
 Vertical Load Test
 Lateral Load Test
 Pull Out Test
Vertical Load Test ( Compression )
 Compression load is applied to the pile top by means of a
hydraulic jack against rolled steel joist or suitable load frame
capable of providing reaction and the settlement is recorded
by suitable positioned dial gauges. Maintained load method
should be used for determination of safe load.
Vertical Load Test –
General Requirements
 Preparation of Pile Head- The pile head should be chipped off
to natural horizontal plane till sound concrete is met. The
projecting reinforcement should be cut off or bent suitably
and the top finished smooth and level with plaster of Paris or
similar synthetic material where required. A bearing plate
with a hole at the centre should be placed on the head of the
pile for the jacks to rest.
 Application of Load – The test should be carried out by
applying a series of vertical downward increment load each
increment being of about 20 percent of safe load on the pile.
Vertical Load Test –
General Requirements
 Reaction:
 Kentledge shall be suitably designed to get the desired reaction on
the piles.
 Anchor piles (if required) shall be placed at a centre to centre
distance of 3 times the pile diameter subject to a minimum
distance of 2 M.
 Settlement:2 dial gauges for a single pile and 4 dial gauges for a
group of piles with 0.01 mm sensitivity shall be used. They shall be
positioned at equal distance around the piles on datum bars resting
on immovable supports at a distance of 3D (min. of 1.5 m) where
D is the diameter of pile or circumscribing circle for non-circular
piles.
Vertical Load Test –
General Requirements
 The safe load on single pile for the initial test should be least of the
following:
 A.) Two-thirds of the final load at which the total displacement
attains a value of 12 mm unless otherwise required in a given case
on the basis of nature and type of structure in which case, the safe
load should be corresponding to the stated total displacement
permissible.
 B.) 50 percent of he final load at which the total displacement
equal 10 percent of the pile diameter in case of uniform diameter
piles and 7.5 percent of bulb diameter in case of under-reamed
piles.
 Routine test shall be carried for a test load of at least one and half
times the working load; the maximum settlement of test loading
in position being not exceeding 12mm.
Vertical Load Test –
General Requirements
 The safe load on group of piles for initial test shall be least of
the following:
 A.) Final load at which the total displacement attains a value
of 25mm unless otherwise required in a given case on the
basis of nature and type of structute, and
 B.) Two-thirds of the final load at which the total
displacement attains a value of 40 mm.
 Routine test shall be carried for a test load of at least equal to
the working load; the maximum settlement of the test
loading in position being not exceeding 25mm.
Methods of Vertical Load Test
 Maintained Load Test
 Cyclic Method
 CRP Test
Vertical Load Test
 Maintained Load Method – This is applicable for both
initial and routine test. In this method application of
increment of test load and taking of measurement or
displacement in each stage of loading is maintained till rate of
displacement of the pile top is either 0.1 mm in first 30
minutes or 0.2 mm in first one hour or till 2 h whichever
occur first. The test load shall be maintained for 24 hours.
 Cyclic Method- used in case of initial test to find out
separately skin friction and point bearing load on single piles
of uniform diameter.
Vertical Load Test
 CRP Method – used for initial test and is generally
considered to be more suitable for determining ultimate
bearing capacity than the maintained load test but the
load/deflection characteristics are quite different from those
of the maintained load test but the load/deflection
characteristics are quite different from those of the
maintained load test and cannot be used to predict settlement
of the pile under working load conditions. This method
should not be included in routine test.
Lateral Load Test
 In this test, the jack should be placed horizontally, between
two piles. The load on the jack shall be the same on both the
piles. The load will be applied in increments of 20% of the
estimated safe load and at the cut off level. The load will be
increased after the rate of displacement is nearer to 0.1 mm
per 30 minutes. If the cut-off level is approachable, one dial
gauge exactly at the cut-off level shall measure the
displacement. In case the cut-off level is not approachable, 2
dial gauges 30 cm apart vertically, shall be set up and the
lateral displacement of the cut-off level calculated by similar
triangles.
Lateral Load Test
 The safe load on the pile shall be the least of the
following:
 a) 50% of the final load at which the total displacement
increases to 12 mm.
 b) Final load at which the total displacement corresponds to
5 mm.
Pull-out Test
 Uplift force may preferably be applied by means of hydraulic
jack with gauge using a suitable pull out set up. A suitable set
up shall be designed to provide an uplift force to the piles.
The load increments and the consequent displacements shall
be as per the case of a vertical load test.
 The safe load shall be the least of the following:
 a) 2/3rd of the load at which the total displacement is 12
mm or the load corresponding to a specified permissible lift.
 b) Half of the load at which the load displacement curve
shows a clear break.
Other Classifications of Load Test
 Dynamic Load Test
 Static Load Test
 Pile Integrity Test
DYNAMIC LOAD TEST
 Dynamic load testing with the aid of Pile Dynamic Analyzer
(PDA) is a fast and reliable way to evaluate the bearing
capacity of the pile. This testing can help you pick up the
right pile type that can withstand the strains on the pile
during driving and gives cautious if the pile driving reaches
its required length thus avoiding unnecessary long piles. It
also provides information about structural integrity, driving
stresses, and hammer efficiency. If a dynamic load test is out
of the equation, then a static load test can be performed.
STATIC LOAD TEST
 Like the dynamic load test, a Static Load test can be done to
evaluate the bearing capacity of the pile. In the Static Load
Test, the test load will be applied by hydraulic jacking against
Kent ledge (concrete blocks) with the load being measured
by calibrated and certified pressure gauges on the selected
pile. The pile settlement will be recorded by means of dial
gauges registering against a reference beam; optical level may
be used to confirm the readings. The pile will be tested by
increment loading according to the required standard with
the record kept of time, load and settlement. Interpretation
of the pile load test will be submitted to assess the pile
capacity.
STATIC LOAD TEST
 The criteria for defining the load of the piles will be, but not
limited to the following:
- The load at which settlement continues to increases without
any further increase of load.
- The load beyond which there is an increase in net settlement
disproportionate to the increase in load.
 To test the load, a minimum load applied during the test will
be equal to 1.5 times the working load. So it is important to
identify the working load of the pile into consideration.
STATIC LOAD TEST
PILE INTEGRITY TEST
 Essential part of quality control in either cast-in-place or pre-
cast concrete
 Non-destructive Test (NDT) method that can evaluate the
continuity and consistency of pile material, length, and cross-
sectional area
 The standard procedure of the pile integrity test has been in
accordance with ASTM D5882
PILE INTEGRITY TEST
 Provides acceleration and velocity
 The primary shockwave which travels down the length of the
pile is reflected from the toe by the change in density
between the concrete and the substrate
 A hammer is used for impacting the pile head and should be
applied vertically with the pile
 Several impacts are applied on the top of the pile and the
echoes are then being recorded for each individual impact by
the use of motion or acceleration transducer. This apparatus
will provide signal conditioning and integrate acceleration to
obtain the velocity.