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(GEOSS) - Guidelines On Good Practices For Pile Load Test PDF
(GEOSS) - Guidelines On Good Practices For Pile Load Test PDF
GeoSS
Member
BCA
ACES
HDB
IES
Dr Veeresh Chepurthy
LTA
Mr Lim Shiyi
MOM
SCAL
Mr Thomas Molnit
Mr Jimmy Lim
Mr Eric Low
GeoSS
1.0
The scope of these guidelines is lim ited to the setup of pile load test using
Kent ledge method f or Singapor e pract ices.
In Singapore, Kent ledge method of pile load test is commonly used to
determine the geotechnical design values and response of r epresentative pile
to applied load, both in t erm of settlement or lim it load. The size and height of
Kent ledge can be m assive and if not properly designed and erected, it can pose
saf ety hazard to t he workers as well as t he public in vicinit y. These guidelines
can pr ovide some guidance to the part ies involved in the Kent ledge setup to
ensure that Kent ledg e method of pile load test is reliable, saf e and acceptable.
2.0
Planning of pile load test setup should st art f rom the design off ice. The design
of the Kentledge set up should be carr ied out by a Prof essional Engineer, PE.
The type and amount of Kentledge, setup and its f oundation should be proper ly
planned and detailed to ensur e that the setup is st able and saf e, not only
during erection stage, and during pile load testing stage but also in the event of
pile exper iencing unexpected f ailur e in t he midst of load test.
GeoSS
2.1
Type of Kentledge
The type of Kent ledge such as concrete blocks, steel plates or other suit able
dead weights chosen should suit the project and takes int o account ground
condition, availabilit y of materials, site constraint and public saf ety. W here
possible, Kent ledge type of load test should be set-up at least one t ime the
least width of the Kentledge f ootprint away f rom public access area or
neighbouring structures/buildings.
2.1.1 Load Test Exceeding 3000 Tonnes
It is generally not recommended to use concr ete blocks as the Kent ledge f or
pile load test exceeding 3000 tonnes because of the signif icant height of the
Kent ledge. In the case of its unexpected collapse, it can potentially endanger
the lives of the wor kers as well as the public. For large load test exceeding
3000 Tonnes, the pr oject team can consider using steel plates, tension piles or
ground anchors as the react ion load or adopt ing other alt ernative method of
testing like bi-direct ional load test.
Large load test exceeding 3000 Tonnes using concrete blocks should only be
carried out by competent Specialist Builder (Piling W orks) and PE who has the
relevant experience. Caref ul considerat ions should be made in all aspects like
robustness in design, strict compliance of design codes, saf ety of neighbour ing
propert ies, saf ety of the workers and people carr ying out t he test, saf ety of
public passing by the site, and putting in place contingency plan if tilting of
Kent ledge occurs during stacking or load testing.
2.1.2 Weight of Kentledge
The total weight of Kentledge should be greater than maximum test load. This is
to ensure the Kent ledge will remain stable during the test. It is common to
adopt at least 10% extra weight excluding those of test beam s. The stacking of
the f ull Kentledge should be complet ed bef ore the start of the test.
Putting extra concr ete blocks onto the Kent ledge during the loading cycle
should not be allowed. This is because the f ull load will be transf erred to the
ground in the event of pile f ailure. As the ground has not been f ully loaded
earlier, there is a possibilit y of bear ing f ailure when the f ull load is suddenly
transf erred to the ground. The sudden pressure peak on the ground may also
trigger unbalanced distribution of load on the ground. This may potent ially lead
to progressive bear ing f ailure of the ground and eventual toppling of concr ete
blocks. In any event, any of the f our corners of the Kentledge should not be
allowed to f loat or be uplif ted as this will lead to uneven load distribution to the
base of the setup.
GeoSS
2.1.3 Kentledge Bl ocks Arrangement
Kent ledge blocks arrangement should be designed by PE. The pattern of the
blocks arrangement should t ake int o account stacking sequence and designed
to enhance stabilit y of the individual block as well as the whole of the
Kent ledge setup.
2.1.4 Kentledge Height t o Width Aspect Rat io.
The height to widt h ratio of the Kentledge setup should not be more than 1.5 f or
stabilit y. For area with neighbour ing st ructures/buildings, the ratio should be
reduced to not more than 1 by increasing the width of Kentledge.
2.2
Design of Foundati on
The f oundation f or the setup should be designed to support the f ull weight of
the Kent ledge.
GeoSS
2.2.2 Effect of Kentledge Setup on Neighbouring Slopes and Str uctures
For Kentledge setup on top of a slope, or on top of an exist ing earth retaining
structures, the potential reduced bearing capacit y of the ground need to be
analysed. The eff ect of the massive Kentledge bearing on ground needs to be
assessed. This is t o ascertain that the stabilit y of neighbouring slopes and
structural integrit y of existing earth retaining structures and buildings are not
aff ected. Excavation works next to t he Kent ledge should be prevented unless
adequately designed. Proper drainage should be provided t o avoid excessive
rain water seepage into the ground supporting the Kent ledge base dur ing wet
weather condit ion.
GeoSS
2.2.5 Deep Foundation
If shallow f oundation is insuf f icient to achieve adequate f actor of saf ety or when
settlement will be excessive, deep f oundation will be requir ed. The design of
deep f oundation such as steel H-piles or steel circular pipes should f ollow
conventional piling design based on SS CP4: 2003.
2.2.6 Other Systems
Other systems like r eaction anchors or piles can be used. The design of such
systems should comply with their respect ive Codes.
2.3
Design of structural members i.e. transf er beam, main beam, secondar y beam,
steel box, steel mat, steel piles should comply with BS5950-1:2000. W here reused structural steel is used, the PE should consider any imperf ections and
conditions of such materials in his design.
2.3.1 Bending Moment Capacit y
The structural members should be checked f or ultimate moment capacit y.
2.3.2 Shear Capacit y
The structural members should be checked f or ultimate shear capacit y.
2.3.3 Torsional Buckling
The structural members shall be checked f or lateral torsional buckling.
2.3.4 Beam Web Bearing and Web Buckling
The structural members should be checked f or web bear ing and web buckling
2.3.5 Beam Deflection
The def lection of the beam under f ull load should be check to ensure it will not
compromise the over all stabilit y of the set-up.
2.4
It is important that all the design consider ation and output be clearly shown in
the drawing to ensur e compliance and easy of site super vision.
GeoSS
f or
illustration
only
3.0
GeoSS
3.1
The pile load test should be super vised by a competent staff i.e. PE. The PE
who designed the Kentledge setup and Qualif ied Site Super visor, QSS should
inspect the setup during erect ion, and load testing to detect if there is any
abnormally and inst abilit y of the setup. Load test should only be allowed to
start af ter inspect ion by PE and he cert if ied that there is no saf ety or stabilit y
concern.
3.2
GeoSS
3.4
Safet y of Workers
The saf ety of wor kers is paramount. Project team to note dut ies and
responsibilities stipulated under the W orkplace Saf ety and Health Act and its
subsidiar y legislations which include W SH (Construct ion) Regulation 2007 and
W SH (Risk Management) Regulation 2006.
Some good pile load testing practices, f or instance, testing by remote control
where workers do not need to go under the massive Kentledge setup to
increase the test load and to take load test readings can be considered.
Risk assessments on the execution of the pile load test should address the
installat ion, test ing, dismant ling and t he zone of possible collapse of the
Kent ledge.
Saf e work procedures f or installation, testing and dismant ling of Kentledge
should be implemented. Br ief ings should be carried out to all personnel
involved in the wor ks and key areas of the saf e work procedures should be
eff ectively communicated to the workers.
During the erection and dismant ling of the Kentledge, workers will be exposed
to W ork-At-Height risks. Fall Protect ion Plan should be developed, implemented
and ef f ectively com municated to the wor kers.
Project team should also ref er to SS 515:2005 on pile load t est bef ore the start
of the test.
REFERENCES
BS 5950-1:2000 Structural Use of Steel W orks in Building
SS CP4:2003 Code of Practice f or Foundation
SS 515:2005 Code of Practice f or Supervision of Structural W orks
W orkplace Saf ety and Health Act
W orkplace Saf ety and Health (Construct ion) Regulation 2007
W orkplace Saf ety and Health (Risk Management) Regulation 2006