Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Piles

Qall

Qb

Qb
L

Qb
D

x
x
Qb happens between the pile’s tip and the soil. It is the bearing
capacity of the soil. The unit is in kN or N (lb in English System).

Bearing Capacity factor, Nc, most of the time, has a value

of 9.

In other references, Qb is expressed as b. For the sake of

being consistent since it bears the unit of load (N or kN) so,
Q should be used as the designation of the quantity for load
and force. Same with the other ultimate capacity, Qf

Qf is the frictional force that develops between the pile’s

surface area and the soil. Since it is a force, the unit is in
N or kN (lb in English System).
Ultimate Frictional Capacity of Piles
Qall
1.  Method

Qf

Qf L

Qf

Qb
D

x
x
 Cu, kN/m2
50 100 150 200 250
1.00

0.75
Value of 

0.50

0.25

0
The graph in the previous slide shows that with an increasing
value of Cu the value of  (alpha) decreases. Take note that
the decrease is not linear.

Values of  could be taken from the graph but most of the

time, it is always provided for during exams.

All other factors like ,  and  , their values are always

provided for during exams.
2.  Method Qall
Qf
where;
s = unit wt
f = ultimate frictional capacity
Q of clay
of pile
 = frictional coefficient 
L
P = perimeter of pile
L = length of pile Qf
v = average vertical pressure at
the mid-height of the pile
being analyzed Qb
v = s D

x
x
 Pile

Pile penetration in meters

The plotting in the previous slide shows the behavior of the
values of  . For overconsolidated soil, the values decrease
as the depth of penetration of the pile increase. But, it can
be observed that it involves shallow penetration of the piles.

For normally consolidated soil (clays), deeper penetration of

piles are involved and the range of the values of  is quite
close from a shallow penetration to a deep penetration of
the pile.
3.  Method
Qall
Qf

Qf s = unit wt
of clay


L
Qf

Qb
D

x
x
Allowable or Design Load Capacity of Piles

Qb Qf Qult
Qall

Qult
Qall

Qb
Qf
Example: Qdesign = 350 kN
A 35 cm square prestressed
concrete pile is to be driven in
a clayey soil as shown in the
figure. The design capacity of
the pile is 350 kN, with a factor qu = 105 kPa
of safety of 2 and unconfined  = 18 kN/m3
compression of 105 kPa. Nc = 9
L
a. Determine the end bearing
capacity of the pile.
b. Determine the skin friction
expected to develop along the
shaft of the pile.
0.35
c. Solve for the length of the pile
0.35
if  = 0.75
d. Determine the length of the pile using the  method
if  = 0.15.
e. Determine the length of pile using the  method if R = 30o
and the clay has an overconsolidated ratio of 3.
0.5

0.5
Allowable or Design Load Capacity of Piles

Qb Qf Qult
Qall

Qult Qb + Qf
Qall

Qb
Qf
Frictional Capacity of Pile for Two or More Layers
Qall
1.  Method

Qf 1
L1 Q f1 1
C1

Qf Qf 1 Qf 2
sat
Qf 1 L2 2
Q f2 C2

Qf 2
Qb
Qf .30
Two or more layers may not involve different types of soil but
could mean that the soil in question consist of dry, moist and/
or saturated layers. The factors like  ,  , and  could have
different values with the change in the water content of soil.
2.  Method
Qall
Qf

Qf Qf1 Qf 2 1 = 18.5 kN/m3

L1= 8m  f1 1 = 0.4
C1 = 28 kPa

Qf11 = PL11(v1+ 2C1) 

sat = 21 kN/m3
2 = 0.50
L2= 12m  f2 C2 = 55 kPa

Qff 2 = PL22(v2+ 2C2)

Qb
.30
3.  Method
Q Qall

Q
1
L1  f1 R1


1 = (1-sin R1) tan R1
sat
R2
L2
 f2 OCR

Qb
.30
CAPACITY OF GROUP
OF PILES
The method used in our study is the Simple Static Analysis.

What
 GROUP OF PILES

SPACING OF PILES

 Minimum Spacing = 2.5D

where D = diameter of pile (in practice)
 Minimum Spacing = 3 to 3.5D
where D = diameter in ordinary situations
EFFICIENCY OF GROUP OF PILES

1. Converse-Labarre Equation

S S

D
S
2. From Bowles Analysis and Design

Where: S S
E = efficiency
mc = number of column in D
plan view S
nr = number of rows
D = diameter of pile
S = spacing of pile, center
to center row
column
Minimum Pile Spacing to be 100% Efficient

1.

2.

Where:
D = diameter of pile
S = spacing of pile, center to center
mc = number of column
nr = number of rows
Since the formula in the previous slide requires the diameter
of the pile and if the cross sectional area given in the problem
is a square, let us therefore, use the dimension of the square
as the diameter of the pile.
Ultimate Load Bearing Capacity of Group of
Piles that Act Individually
 Ultimate Load Bearing Capacity of Group of
Piles that Act as a Block

Friction or Skin Resistance

Point Bearing Capacity

Example:
A group of piles are arranged as shown on the figure. The
piles are square in section with sides equal to 250 mm and has
a spacing of 1.20 m on centers. The piles has a total length of
15 m. Unit weight of clay is 18.9 kN/m3 and has a cohesion of
65 kPa. Ground water table is located at a depth of 18 m below
The ground surface. Adhesion factor  = 0.70 and bearing
capacity factor Nc = 9.0
Qu

 = 18.9 kN/m3

1.2
15 m
1.2

1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2

 Qu

1. What is the ultimate load-

bearing capacity of the
group of piles considering
the piles act individually.

2. Determine the ultimate

capacity if the piles act as
1.2 1.2 1.2 a block.

3. Solve for the allowable load

1.2 bearing capacity of the
group of pile using a factor
1.2 of safety of 3.

1.2 1.2 1.2

4. Compute the allowable capacity of the group of piles
considering the piles in the group act as a block using
Converse-Labarre Equation.

5. Minimum pile spacing to be 100% efficient.

SOLUTION(S): (See next Slides)