LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY OF PILES USING DYNAMIC TESTING

Abstract

The load carrying capacity of piles can be determined by using different methods such as static formulae, dynamic formulae, field tests etc. The static formulae always provide approximate and conservative estimates as the values of parameters in the formulae are assigned emperically. Dynamic formulae are based on the assumption that the total downward energy is consumed by the work done in penetrating the pile. Prediction of load settlement curve is the pre-requisite for the determination of bearing capacity of piles. For this, in the present study a numerical model using finite element method has been developed. The model is verified against the numerous data obtained from CBRI, Roorkee and published literature. From the load settlement curves, the relationship between the bearing capacity and the head stiffness of the pile could be established. Further the dynamic stiffness of pile is obtained from dynamic testing method and a procedure for evaluating the bearing capacity of piles from dynamic testing is suggested