The following equation, as used for cohesive soil, may be used to compute the

ultimate end bearing capacity of piles in sandy soil in which, the maximum effective
stress, D/′ allowed for the computation is 240 kPa. Figure 6.3.2 may also be used to
estimate the value of :
>.
B4 5 (D¼′ )4Ô:>Õ4 (6.3.24)
:>
= 8 to 12
for loose sand
:>
for medium sand
= 12 to 40
for dense sand
:>
= 40
3.10.1.15 Critical depth for end bearing and skin friction
The vertical effective stress (D¼′ or D/′ ) increases with depth. Hence the skin friction
should increase with depth indefinitely. In reality skin friction does not increase
indefinitely. It is believed that skin friction would become a constant at a certain
depth. This depth is named critical depth. Pile end bearing in sandy soils is also related
to effective stress. Experimental data indicates that end bearing capacity does not also
increase with depth indefinitely. Due to lack of a valid theory, Engineers use the same
critical depth concept adopted for skin friction for end bearing capacity as well. Both
the skin friction and the end bearing capacity are assumed to increase till the critical
depth, #+ and then maintain a constant value. Following approximations may be used
for the critical depth in relation to diameter of pile, D