Module 4 - Pile Load Test (Compatibility Mode)

PILE LOAD TEST
PILE LOAD TEST
NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 1

Department of Ocean Engg.
Indian Institue of Technology Madras-36
PILE LOAD TEST
CONTENTS
 Types of Pile load tests
 Pile load test strategy
 Onshore pile load test
 Offshore pile load test
 Vertical load test
 Horizontal load test
 Load testing procedure
 Pull-out test
 High strain dynamic test
 Pile integrity test
 Pile monitoring system
 O-cell pile load test

PILE LOAD TEST
PILE LOAD TESTS
PURPOSE
 TO DETERMINE THE AS INSTALLED PILE CAPACITY

 TO ASSESS LOAD-DISPLACEMENT RELATIONSHIP

PILE LOAD TEST
TYPES OF PILE LOAD TESTS
Based on pile type and constraint at site various types of tests can be
performed depending on cost and time. Following are different test
methods available.
 Static Load Tests
 Constant Rate of Penetration Tests (CRP)

 Maintained Load Tests (ML)
 Dynamic Load tests
 High / Low Strain Testing

 Pile Monitoring
 Bi-directional methods

PILE LOAD TEST
TYPES OF PILE LOAD TESTS
Similarly, load tests can also be classified in to following categories
based on load direction etc
Loading Method
 Vertical Load Test
 Compression
 Tension
 Lateral Load Test
 Static
 Cyclic
Loading Limit
 Ultimate Load Test (Initial Test)
 Working Load Test (Routine Test)

PILE LOAD TEST
Pile Load Test Strategy
The strategy for pile testing needs to be established at the time the piles are
being designed. For most projects the main purpose of pile testing is either to
validate the design before construction and/or to check compliance with the
specification during construction. However in some cases there are benefits in
using testing for design development or research to provide the best solution.
Testing strategies can therefore be divided into four main categories.
• Design validation
• Quality control
• Design development
• Research
The scope of testing will depend on the complexity of the foundation solution,
the nature of the site and the consequences if piles do not meet the specified
requirements. The pile designed therefore needs to assess the risks and develop
the testing regime accordingly. The main risks are:
• Insufficient site investigation
• Lack of experience of similar piles in similar ground conditions.
• Insufficient time to verify the pile design and realise any savings.
• Cost and programme implications of undertaking the pile tests.
• Cost and programme implications of a foundation failure
PILE LOAD TEST
GUIDANCE FROM “HANDBOOK OF PILE LOAD TESTING”
Characteristics of the piling Risk Pile testing strategy
works level
Complex or unknown ground High Both preliminary and working pile
conditions. No previous pile test tests essential.
data. New piling technique or 1 preliminary pile test per 250 piles.
very limited relevant experience. 1 working pile test per 100 piles.
Consistent ground conditions. No Medium Pile tests essential. Either
previous pile test data. Limited preliminary and/or working pile tests
experience of piling in similar can be used.
ground. 1 preliminary pile test per 500 piles.
1 working pile test per 100 piles.
Consistent ground conditions. Low Pile tests not essential.
Previous pile test data is If using pile tests either preliminary
available. Extensive experience and/or working tests can be used.
of pilinf in similar ground. 1 preliminary pile test per 500 piles.
1 working pile test per 100 piles

PILE LOAD TEST
Summary of Pile Load Tests
Rapid load Combustion 30MN No reaction May require calibration with
test chamber system static test.
required. Fast Caution required in cohesive
test. soils and in chalk.
Unsuitable for piles in excess
of 40m deep.
Suitable for testing pile
groups and piles of variable
or unknown pile shaft profile.
E.g. CFA piles or re-used piled
foundations.
Dynamic Piling 3MN Fast and May require calibration with
hammer or (generally, relatively static test. Results may be
separate drop but can be inexpensive. unrepresentative in soils that
weight greater) Suitable for exhibit relaxation (reduction
Hammer both driven and of end bearing in Coal
weight bored piles. measure correlation of
should be in Correlation with dynamic and static results on
the range 1 static tests on piles in cohesive soils and
to 2% of bored piles chalk must consider time-
load to be generally good. related effects and the length
proved. of pile tested.

PILE LOAD TEST
Summary of Pile Load Tests
Test type Reaction Maximum Advantages Disadvantages
system test load
Static Reaction piles 30MN Suits all soil Reaction piles/kentledge and
maintained (Rock anchors (generally) conditions and pile frame are required. Kentledge
Load (MLT) may provide an types. Manual and tests are relatively expensive.
alternative automated Setting up and dismantling the
reaction system In both cases systems available. test equipment involves operatives
for piles end higher test Piles can be working at height.
bearing in rock) loads are instrumented. Long duration
possible. Tension and lateral
testing possible
Bi-directional Very high test

load cell loads achievable.
No reaction system
27MN per cell required. Relies on sophisticated pile
instrumentation and analysis.
Suits bored piles only. Relatively
expensive and long duration.
Static As for MLT As for MLT Suits all pile types. Reaction piles/kentledge and
constant Manual and frame required. Kentledge tests
rate of automated are relatively expensive. Limited to
penetration systems available. cohesive soils. May over predict
(CRP) ultimate load.

PILE LOAD TEST
TEST LOADS
 SAFE WORKING LOAD
Safe Working load is the maximum actual load applied to pile during the
service life of the structure without load factors or partial safety factors.
 ULTIMATE LOAD
Ultimate load includes the Factor of Safety (FOS) as required by the design
codes for the foundation design
 DESIGN VERIFICATION LOAD
Design Verification Load (DVL) may be adopted as Ultimate Load or Safe

Working Load depending on the type of test proposed. Some time the DVL
may exceed the Safe Working load for Overload tests but will not exceed the
ultimate load.

PILE LOAD TEST
ONSHORE PILE LOAD TESTS

PILE LOAD TEST
ONSHORE PILE LOAD TESTS

PILE LOAD TEST
KENTLEDGE AND DEAD WEIGHT METHOD
(a) Driving Test pile (b) Stacking of Dead load (b) Loading test pile

PILE LOAD TEST
KENTLEDGE AND DEAD WEIGHT METHOD
Sand Bags Stacked on

Test frame Hydraulic Jack
Test Frame Dial Gauge

PILE LOAD TEST
ANCHOR PILE METHOD
(a) Driving Test pile (b) Installation of Jack (b) Loading test pile

PILE LOAD TEST
Reaction Pile – Load test Arrangement

PILE LOAD TEST
Load Cell (Hydraulic Jack)

PILE LOAD TEST
Dead Load Test – Concrete Blocks

PILE LOAD TEST
ULTIMATE LOAD TEST
Ultimate load test are carried out on piles which does not form part of
the permanent structure. Hence the load test shall be carried out on a
sacrificial pile and can be tested to load beyond the working load.
The load can be increased to ultimate load to obtain the failure

characteristics of the pile.
Generally, the factor safety for the design of pile varies between 2 to
3. Hence the ultimate load test can be carried out 3 times the working
load.
ULTIMATE TEST LOAD = 3 * SAFE WORK LOAD
Ultimate load tests are done on one or two piles before the working
piles installed. Based on the results of the ultimate load test, the pile
design can be verified and modified.
PILE LOAD TEST
WORKING LOAD TEST
Working load test are carried out on piles which form part of the
permanent structure. Hence the load test shall be carried out to the
maximum load to which the structure may deliver during its service.
Thus the pile is not overloaded prior to its service. But some times a
overload test of 25% to 50% may be needed in some cases and shall
be considered.
TEST LOAD = 1.5 * SAFE WORKING LOAD
Working load tests are done on atleast 2% of piles on each location or

structure. This also depends on the uncertainty of the soil strata used
for the design of piles.

PILE LOAD TEST
CONSTANT RATE OF PENETRATION (CRP) TEST
Constant rate of penetration is useful for initial load tests and is carried
out by adjusting the jack pressure such that the rate of penetration is
constant throughout the loading.
This type of test is very fast and BS8004, indicates a rate of

penetration of 0.75mm/min. is suitable for piles installed in clay type
of soil and about 1.55mm/min for piles end bearing on granular soils.
MAINTAINED LOAD (ML) LOAD TEST

In this method the load is increased in steps from starting load as
multiples of fixed amount until the final test load.
In each step, the load is maintained for certain duration to monitor the
settlement until the no further increase is noticed. This ML method of
testing piles is suitable for working piles. The load shall be maintained
constant until the settlement rate is decreased to 0.25mm/hour and
further decreasing before the next load step.
NPTEL course
Prof. S. Nallayarasu 21
PILE LOAD TEST
Load-settlement and time curves for pile on stiff clay

PILE LOAD TEST
Loading and unloading cycle for pile load test
Load Minimum time of holding load
25% of DVL 30 minutes
100% of DVL 1 hour
0 1 hour
100% of DVL 6hour
100% of DVL + 25% SWL 1 hour
100% of DVL + 50% SWL 6 hour
100% of DVL + 25% SWL 10 minutes
100%DVL 10 minutes
75%DVL 10 minutes
50%DVL 10 minutes
25%DVL 10 minutes
0 1 hour
PILE LOAD TEST
LOAD DISPLACEMENT CURVE FOR ULTIMATE LOAD TEST

PILE LOAD TEST
HORIZONTAL LOAD TEST
Horizontal load tests are carried out to determine the lateral load
carrying capacity of marine piles. The horizontal load test requires
good reaction system. Unlike land based structures, reaction system in
marine structures will be another pile. Hence at least two piles shall be
installed for testing one another of similar size and capacity.
Horizontal load test usually carried out using load step method similar
to maintained load for vertical load tests.
CYCLIC LOAD TEST
Cyclic load test is essential for determining the sensitivity of the pile-
soil system against cyclic loads.
Loading and unloading process at each load step is repeated few times
and the changes in the load deflection process is noted.

PILE LOAD TEST
HORIZONTAL LOAD TEST
Careful consideration shall
be given to the spacing
between the test pile and the
reaction pile. The stresses
developed in the soil due to
the loads on the test pile and
reaction pile shall not
overlap. A minimum spacing
of at least 3D shall be
maintained.
Further, additional support

frame and piled structure
may be required for the test
to support the instruments
and reference for the
displacement measurement
PILE LOAD TEST
LOAD DEFLECTION CURVE FOR CYCLIC HORIZONTAL LOADING TEST

PILE LOAD TEST
PULLOUT TEST (TENSION)
Careful consideration shall be given

to the spacing between the test pile
and the reaction pile. The stresses
developed in the soil due to the
loads on the test pile and reaction
pile shall not overlap. A minimum
spacing of at least 3D shall be
maintained.
Further, additional support frame

and piled structure may be required
for the test to support the
instruments and reference for the
displacement measurement

PILE LOAD TEST
COMPRESSION LOAD TEST – POINT TO NOTE
Following points shall be noted and treated carefully while carrying out
the compression load tests for offshore or coastal applications
a. The support frame shall be designed appropriately for

environmental loads from wave and current
b. Support piles shall be spaced away from the test piles by at

least 3 Diameter
c. Structural capacity of the test pile (Cantilever) shall be checked

for the test load using Euler bucking criteria.

PILE LOAD TEST
IS2911 PART 4 - GUIDELINES
IS 2911 (Part 4) specifies the test load and displacement criteria for
bored cast in situ piles.
a. For Vertical load test, the load shall be applied in increments

of 20% of total test load. i.e., 0, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and
100%. At each of these test load, the load must be maintained
to observe the vertical displacement of the pile.
b. The load shall be decreased in reverse pattern from 100% to 0

and similar monitoring of the displacements shall be carried out.
c. The load capacities of the pile shall be evaluated using the

displacement criteria specified by the code or project specific
requirements set forth by the authorities.

PILE LOAD TEST
VERTICAL LOAD TEST ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA (IS 2911)
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 12mm
b. 50 percent of the final
load at which the total
displacement equal 10
percent of the pile
diameter

PILE LOAD TEST
LATERAL LOAD TEST ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA (IS 2911)
The safe lateral load on the pile shall be taken as the least of the
following.
a. Fifty percent of the

final load at which the
total displacement
increases to 12mm.
b. Final load at which the
total displacement
corresponds to 5mm.
c. Load corresponding to
any other specified
displacement in
accordance with the
design requirement

PILE LOAD TEST
API RP 2A - GUIDELINES
API RP 2A does not give any guidance on load – displacement criteria
since the design pile capacity is purely based on “ENGINEERING
BASED METHOD” and no verification of pile capacity is required.
However, following guidelines shall be used to assess the as installed
pile capacity
a. The piles shall be driven to TARGET penetration as designed using
engineered properties of soil. This can be achieved by appropriate
selection of driving equipment and pile wall thickness.
b. Pile design shall satisfy the minimum Factor of Safety against the
operational and storm loads (2.0 and 1.5 respectively).
c. Piles shall have adequate stiffness against large bending moment

due to lateral displacement
d. If required, due to premature refusal, the blow count data can be
used to back calculate the long term capacity of piles subject to
careful consideration of soil characteristics.
PILE LOAD TEST
ALTERNATIVE TEST METHODS
Pile Load Tests based on kentledge or reaction piles are expensive and
time consuming and the need for development of better solution to the
pile load testing is essential. Several alternate techniques were
developed in the past and some the techniques are listed.
a. High Strain Dynamic Testing
b. Low Strain Dynamic testing
c. O-Cell Load Test
d. Analysis of Field Data from Pile driving

PILE LOAD TEST
HIGH STRAIN DYNAMIC TEST
High strain dynamic testing consists of
estimating soil resistance and its
distribution from force and velocity
measurements obtained near the top of a
foundation impacted by a hammer or drop
weight. The impact produces a compressive
wave that travels down the shaft of the
foundation.
A pair of strain transducers obtains the

signals necessary to compute force, while
measurements from a pair of
accelerometers are integrated to yield
velocity. These sensors are connected to an
instrument (such as a pile driving analyzer),
that records, processes and displays data
and results.

PILE LOAD TEST
As long as the wave travels in one direction, force and velocity are
proportional and related by the expression
F = Zv
where:
Pile impedance Z = EA/c
and
E is the pile material modulus of elasticity
A is the cross sectional area of the pile
c is the material wave speed at which the wave front travels

PILE LOAD TEST

PILE LOAD TEST
TYPICAL FORCE VELOCITY TRACE

PILE LOAD TEST
MEASURED VELOCITY AND CALCULATED FORCES

PILE LOAD TEST
METHOD OF RESISTANCE ESTIMATION
The measured acceleration is used to compute the stress velocity by
integration and following method is used to calculate the resistance of
soil during driving and thus the long term capacity can be obtained.
 The wave assumes an opposite direction (a reflection) when it
encounters soil resistance forces along the shaft or at the toe.
 These reflections travel upward along the shaft and arrive at the pile
top at times that are related to their location along the shaft.
 The sensors near the pile top take measurements that translate what
is happening to the traveling waves, and make it possible to estimate
soil resistance and its distribution.
 The data obtained in this fashion permits the computation of total soil
resistance (RT), which includes both static and viscous components.
 The dynamic component is computed as the product of the pile
velocity times the damping factor (a soil parameter related to soil
grain size).
 The static component (RS) is the total soil resistance minus the
dynamic component). RS = RT - RD
PILE LOAD TEST
ASTM PROCEDURE
Dynamic load testing takes a further step in analyzing the data and
computing static capacity and resistance distribution.
Dynamic pile monitoring takes advantage of the fact that, for driven
piles, it is possible to compute the energy delivered to the pile,
compression stresses at the pile top and toe and tension stresses along
the shaft. Pile integrity can also be evaluated.
This method is covered under ASTM D4945-00 - Standard Test

Method for High Strain Dynamic Testing of Piles.

PILE LOAD TEST
LOW STRAIN DYNAMIC TEST
A pile integrity test (also known as low strain dynamic test, sonic
echo test, and low strain integrity test) is one of the methods for
assessing the condition of piles or shafts. It is cost effective and not
very time consuming.
The test is based on wave propagation theory. The name "low strain
dynamic test" stems from the fact that when a light impact is applied
to a pile it produces a low strain.
The impact produces a compression wave that travels down the pile at
a constant wave speed (similarly to what happens in high strain
dynamic testing).
Changes in cross sectional area - such as a reduction in diameter - or

material - such as a void in concrete - produce wave reflections.

PILE LOAD TEST
This procedure is performed with a hand held hammer to generate an

impact, an accelerometer or geophone placed on top of the pile to be
tested to measure the response to the hammer impact, and a data
acquisition and interpretation electronic instrument.
The test works well in concrete or timber foundations that are not
excessively slender. Usually the method is applied to recently
constructed piles that are not yet connected to a structure. However,
this method is also used to test the integrity and to determine the
length of piles embedded in structures.
This method is covered under ASTM D5882-00 - Standard Test

Method for Low Strain Integrity Testing of Piles.

PILE LOAD TEST
PILE MONITORING DURING DRIVING
Piles for offshore platforms may not be possible to carry out load
testing and design is based on “TARGET PENETRATION”. Hence only
method of ascertaining the as installed pile capacity is using the
information obtained during pile driving and installation.
The blow count, pile head displacement and velocity are measured
during driving. This information will be used to back calculate the short
term pile capacity and stresses developed in the pile.
The long term capacity can also be estimated.
This method of assessment is called “ Pile Dynamic Analysis (PDA)”
The instrumentation used will be very similar to high strain dynamic

tests except that the hammer will be the actual hammer used for
driving the pile.

PILE LOAD TEST
ANALYSIS OF DYNAMIC TEST DATA
Analysis of data from dynamic test involves adjustment to the various
parameters to obtain the pile capacity.
a. Accelerometer attached at the top of the pile measures the
acceleration and hence can be integrated to obtain the velocity
of the stress wave
b. Similarly, the strain measurements can be converted to forces

and stresses in the pile head.
c. The force can be calculated using the relationship F = ZV based

on measured Velocity (V) and calculated pile impedance (Z).
d. Pile damping, quake and static resistance are adjusted until the
measure velocity and forces matches the calculated values.
e. Such analysis can be carried out using a software called

CAPWAP which is a reverse of the GRLWEAP.
PILE LOAD TEST
O-CELL TECHNOLOGY
This method measuring pile
capacity was developed by Dr.
Jorj Osterberg.
The method is based on use of

sacrificial hydraulic jack
permanently installed in the pile
either at the bottom or at the
middle of the pile.
The hydraulic jack will be used to

mobilise the soil friction or end
bearing.

PILE LOAD TEST
WORKING PRINCIPLE OF O-CELL
The O-cell technique of measuring the soil pile capacity is based on the
following principles
a. A hydraulic jack is installed at the bottom of the pile and is

connected to the ground control for increasing the jack pressure.
The increase in hydraulic pressure at the top and bottom of jack,
results in upward movement of the pile shaft and downward
movement of the pile toe.
b. The upward and downward move of the jack ends are measured by
telltale rods connected to the jack
c. The expansion of the jack itself also measured by displacement

transducers placed inside the jack
d. The applied pressure will be used to calculate the load

PILE LOAD TEST
(a) Measuring Skin Friction (b) Measuring Skin friction and End bearing
PILE LOAD TEST
TYPICAL LOAD – MOVEMENT CURVE

PILE LOAD TEST
LOAD – MOVEMENT RELATIONSHIPS
a. O-Cell is placed at the end of the pile as shown in figure (a)
b. Downward movement of the bottom of O-cell taken as
= Upward movement of O-Cell top – expansion of O-cell
c. Downward movement – Load curve is for the end bearing or toe

pile capacity
d. Upward movement – load relationship is for shaft friction
e. Submerged weight of the pile shall be deducted from the load for
the actual shaft capacity

PILE LOAD TEST
POINTS TO NOTE
a. Introduces permanent weak link if the O-cell is introduced in the

middle of the pile since it can’t take any bending loads
b. May be suitably designed for steel (drilled and grouted) piles and
bored concrete piles
c. Not suitable for driven steel pipe piles
d. Economical and faster
e. Not easy to separate the end bearing and skin friction since the
location of O-cell is predetermined


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PILE LOAD TEST

PILE LOAD TEST

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 1

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 2

 TO DETERMINE THE AS INSTALLED PILE CAPACITY

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 3

 Static Load Tests

 Constant Rate of Penetration Tests (CRP)

 Dynamic Load tests

 High / Low Strain Testing

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 4

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 5

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 7

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 8

Bi-directional Very high test

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 9

 SAFE WORKING LOAD

 DESIGN VERIFICATION LOAD

Design Verification Load (DVL) may be adopted as Ultimate Load or Safe

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 10

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 11

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 12

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 13

Sand Bags Stacked on

Test Frame Dial Gauge

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 14

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 15

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 16

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 17

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 18

The load can be increased to ultimate load to obtain the failure

ULTIMATE TEST LOAD = 3 * SAFE WORK LOAD

TEST LOAD = 1.5 * SAFE WORKING LOAD

Working load tests are done on atleast 2% of piles on each location or

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 20

This type of test is very fast and BS8004, indicates a rate of

MAINTAINED LOAD (ML) LOAD TEST

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 22

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 24

CYCLIC LOAD TEST

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 25

Further, additional support

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 27

Careful consideration shall be given

Further, additional support frame

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 28

a. The support frame shall be designed appropriately for

b. Support piles shall be spaced away from the test piles by at

c. Structural capacity of the test pile (Cantilever) shall be checked

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 29

a. For Vertical load test, the load shall be applied in increments

b. The load shall be decreased in reverse pattern from 100% to 0

c. The load capacities of the pile shall be evaluated using the

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 30

a. Two-thirds of the final

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 31

a. Fifty percent of the

NPTEL course Prof. S. Nallayarasu 32

c. Piles shall have adequate stiffness against large bending moment

a. High Strain Dynamic Testing

b. Low Strain Dynamic testing

c. O-Cell Load Test

d. Analysis of Field Data from Pile driving