Pile load testing Ruwan Rajapakse, in Pile Design and Construction Rules of Thumb (Second Edition), 2016 24.2 Pile load test procedure + Compute the ultimate pile capacity based on soil mechanics theory. * Compute the design load using a suitable factor of safety (FOS) Ultimate pile capacity (U) Design load (D) = a * Generally, total test load is twice the design load (this could change depending upon local building codes). Total test load (Q) = 2 x Design load (D) In some sites negative skin friction is expected. In that case the following formula can be used: Total test load (Q) = 2 x (Design load + Negative skin fricti 4 » If negative skin friction is known with good accuracy, one can use the following equation: Total test load (Q) = 2 x (Design load) + Negative skin frict 4 » * Apply 12.5% of the test load and record the settlement of the pile every 2h. * Readings should be taken until the settlement recorded is less than 0.001 ft. during a period of 2 h. When the pile settlement rate is less than 0.001 ft. per 2h, add another 12.5% of the test load. Now the total load would be 25% of the test load. The settlement is monitored as previously. When the settlement rate is less than 0.001 ft. per 2 h, the next load is added. + The next load would be 259% of the test load. Now the total load is 50%. The load is increased to 75% and 100% and settlement readings are taken. * The load is removed in the same sequence and the settlement readings are recorded. At least 1 h time period should elapse during removal of loads. * Final settlement reading should be recorded 48 h after removal of the final load (Fig. 24.3). Settlement (in) Q=Test load 0250 03@ QO Load Sign in to download full-size image (24.3. Load versus settlement. Q, maximum test load; and maximum test load (Q) is twice the design load. Settlement is marked along the Y-axis. The settlement would increase during application stage of the load and would decrease during removal stage of the load. Gross settlement = the total settlement at test load (in this case it is 1.55 in). Gross settlement = settlement of pile into the soil + pile shortening * tis obvious that the pile would compress due to the load and as a consequence the pile would shorten. Net settlement = settlement at the end after the load is fully removed (in this case it is 0.4 in.). Net settlement = settlement of pile into the soil after removal of the load * When the load is released the pile would return to its original length. In a strict sense there may be a slight deformation even after the load is removed. In most cases it is assumed that the pile had come to its original length when the load is removed. * The pile load test is considered to have failed, if the settlement into the soil is greater than 1 in., at full test load, or the settlement into the soil is greater than 0.5 in., at the end of the test after removal of the load (Plate 24.1).