Geo-technical Engineering

[TCVG3711]

Tutorial 5 – Deep Foundations

Mr. Shade S. Muluti
smuluti@unam.na

School of Engineering & The Built Environment

Department of Civil and Mining Engineering
Example – Load Capacity of Single Piles
PROBLEM 1:
A 600 mm square pile is to be driven in a sandy soil stratum with an Effective angle of
internal friction, ϕ’ = 30˚, Bulk Unit Weight, γbulk = 18 kN/m3 Saturated Unit Weight, γsat = 20
kN/m3 Effective Cohesion, c’ = 0 kPa.
450 kN

Sandy Stratum
?

REQUIRED:
o If the pile is to carry a total live and dead load of 450 kN, design the length of the pile
when the ground water is:
a) At 3 m below the ground surface, and
b) At considerable depth below the pile base.

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 2

Example – Load Capacity of Single Piles
SOLUTION: (a) GWT is 3 m below the ground surface 450 kN

1. Base Resistance: 𝑞𝑏 = 𝜎′𝑣 ∙ 𝑁𝑞

3m  = 18 kN/m3
Effective stress at the base of the pile:
𝜎′𝑣 = 18 × 3.0 + 10.19 × 𝐷2
𝜎′𝑣 = 54 + 10.19𝐷2 𝑘𝑃𝑎 ? sat = 20 kN/m3

Find Nq using Graph: 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝜙 = 30°: (Berezantsev)

o Assume that D/B will be between 20 and 70.
o Given that the band between these two lines is very
small, Let our 𝑁𝑞 be approximately equal to 20.

Therefore:
𝑞𝑏 = 𝜎′𝑣 ∙ 𝑁𝑞 = (54 + 10.19𝐷2 ) 20
∴ 𝑞𝑏 = 1080 + 203.8𝐷2 𝑘𝑃𝑎
Ultimate Base Capacity: 𝑄𝑏 = 𝑞𝑏 ∙ 𝐴𝑏
𝑄𝑏 = (1080 + 203.8𝐷2 ) ∙ (0.62 )
∴ 𝑄𝑏 = 𝟑𝟖𝟖. 𝟖 + 𝟕𝟑. 𝟑𝟔𝟖𝑫𝟐 𝒌𝑵

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 3

Example – Load Capacity of Single Piles
SOLUTION: (a) GWT is 3 m below the ground surface 450 kN

2. Shaft Resistance: 𝑞𝑠 = 𝐾 ∙ 𝜎′𝑣 ∙ 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛿

3m  = 18 kN/m3
Shaft capacity of pile needs to be determined in
two parts:
a) Unsaturated Sand Layer 1
? sat = 20 kN/m3
b) Saturated Sand Layer 2
(a) Unsaturated Sand Layer 1:
Effective stress at midpoint of the pile in sand layer 1:
𝜎′𝑣 = 18 × 1.5 = 27 𝑘𝑃𝑎
For concrete and driven piles:
3
𝛿 = ∙ 30 = 22.5° 𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝐾 = 1.0
4
Therefore: 𝐴𝑠 = 4 ∙ 𝐿 ∙ 𝐵 Installation method K
𝑄𝑠1 = 𝑞𝑠 ∙ 𝐴𝑠 Large displacement 1.0 – 2.0
Small displacement 0.75 - 1.25
𝑄𝑠1 = 1.0 27 tan(22.5) ∙ (0.6 × 3.0 × 4)
Bored & cast in situ piles 0.7 – 1.0
𝑄𝑠1 = 80.52 𝑘𝑁 Jetted piles 0.5 - 0.7

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 4

Example – Load Capacity of Single Piles
SOLUTION: (a) GWT is 3 m below the ground surface 450 kN

2. Shaft Resistance: 𝑞𝑠 = 𝐾 ∙ 𝜎′𝑣 ∙ 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛿

3m  = 18 kN/m3
(b) Saturated Sand Layer 2:
Effective stress at midpoint of the pile in sand layer 2:
10.19 × 𝐷2 ? sat = 20 kN/m3
𝜎′𝑣 = 18 × 3 + = 54 + 5.095𝐷2 𝑘𝑃𝑎
2

For concrete and driven piles : 𝛿 = 22.5° 𝐾 = 1.0

Therefore:
𝑄𝑠2 = 𝑞𝑠 ∙ 𝐴𝑠
𝑄𝑠2 = 1.0 54 + 5.095𝐷2 tan(22.5) ∙ (0.6 × 𝐷2 × 4)
∴ 𝑄𝑠2 = 53.676𝐷2 + 5.064𝐷2 2 𝑘𝑁

Ultimate Shaft Capacity: Installation method K

𝑄𝑠 = 𝑄𝑠1 + 𝑄𝑠2 Large displacement 1.0 – 2.0
Small displacement 0.75 - 1.25
𝑄𝑠 = (80.52) + (53.676𝐷2 + 5.064𝐷2 2 )
Bored & cast in situ piles 0.7 – 1.0
𝟐
𝑄𝑠 = (𝟖𝟎. 𝟓𝟐 + 𝟓𝟑. 𝟔𝟕𝟔𝑫𝟐 + 𝟓. 𝟎𝟔𝟒𝑫 𝟐 ) 𝒌𝑵 Jetted piles 0.5 - 0.7

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 5

Example – Load Capacity of Single Piles
SOLUTION: (a) GWT is 3 m below the ground surface 450 kN

3. Ultimate Load Bearing Capacity:

3m  = 18 kN/m3
𝑄𝑢𝑙𝑡
Recall: 𝑄𝑎𝑙𝑙 = 𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝐹𝑆 = 3.0
𝐹𝑆
Thus: ∴ 𝑄𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 𝑄𝑎𝑙𝑙 ∙ 𝐹𝑆 = 450 3 = 𝟏𝟑𝟓𝟎 𝒌𝑵 ? sat = 20 kN/m3

Therefore:
𝑄𝑢 = 𝑄𝑏 + 𝑄𝑠

1350 = (388.8 + 73.368𝐷2 ) + (80.52 + 53.676𝐷2 + 5.064𝐷2 2 )

0 = −880.68 + 127.044𝐷2 + 5.064𝐷2 2

Solving we get:
∴ 𝐷2 = 𝟓. 𝟔𝟔 𝒎

o Therefore, our pile must be 5.66 m deep since we must account for the initial,
unsaturated 3 m at the top of the pile.
o Thus, the length of our pile can be 5.70 m for simplicity.

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 6

Example – Load Capacity of Single Piles
SOLUTION: (b) At considerable depth below the pile base. 450 kN

1. Base Resistance: 𝑞𝑏 = 𝜎′𝑣 ∙ 𝑁𝑞

 = 18 kN/m3
Effective stress at the base of the pile:
𝜎′𝑣 = 18 × 𝐷 ?

𝜎′𝑣 = 18𝐷 𝑘𝑃𝑎 sat = 20 kN/m3

Find Nq using Graph: 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝜙 = 30°: (Berezantsev)

o Assume that D/B will be between 20 and 70.
o Given that the band between these two lines is very
small, Let our 𝑁𝑞 be approximately equal to 20.

Therefore:
𝑞𝑏 = 𝜎′𝑣 ∙ 𝑁𝑞 = (18𝐷) 20
∴ 𝑞𝑏 = 360𝐷 𝑘𝑃𝑎
Ultimate Base Capacity: 𝑄𝑏 = 𝑞𝑏 ∙ 𝐴𝑏
𝑄𝑏 = (360𝐷) ∙ (0.62 )
∴ 𝑄𝑏 = 𝟏𝟐𝟗. 𝟔𝑫 𝒌𝑵

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 7

Example – Load Capacity of Single Piles
SOLUTION: (b) At considerable depth below the pile base. 450 kN

2. Shaft Resistance: 𝑞𝑠 = 𝐾 ∙ 𝜎′𝑣 ∙ 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛿

 = 18 kN/m3
Effective stress at midpoint of the pile:
?
18 × 𝐷
𝜎′𝑣 = = 9𝐷 𝑘𝑃𝑎
2 sat = 20 kN/m3

For concrete and driven piles :

3
𝛿= ∙ 30 = 22.5° 𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝐾 = 1.0
4

Therefore: 𝐴𝑠 = 4 ∙ 𝐿 ∙ 𝐵

𝑄𝑆 = 𝑞𝑠 ∙ 𝐴𝑠

𝑄𝑆 = 1.0 9𝐷 tan(22.5) ∙ (0.6 × 𝐷 × 4) Installation method K

Large displacement 1.0 – 2.0
𝟐
𝑄𝑆 = (𝟖. 𝟗𝟓𝑫 ) 𝒌𝑵 Small displacement 0.75 - 1.25
Bored & cast in situ piles 0.7 – 1.0
Jetted piles 0.5 - 0.7

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 8

Example – Load Capacity of Single Piles
SOLUTION: (b) At considerable depth below the pile base. 450 kN

3. Ultimate Load Bearing Capacity:

 = 18 kN/m3
𝑄𝑢𝑙𝑡
Recall: 𝑄𝑎𝑙𝑙 = 𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝐹𝑆 = 3.0
𝐹𝑆 ?
Thus: ∴ 𝑄𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 𝑄𝑎𝑙𝑙 ∙ 𝐹𝑆 = 450 3 = 𝟏𝟑𝟓𝟎 𝒌𝑵
sat = 20 kN/m3

Therefore:
𝑄𝑢 = 𝑄𝑏 + 𝑄𝑠

1350 = (129.6𝐷) + (8.95𝐷2 )

0 = −1350 + 129.6𝐷 + 8.95𝐷2

Solving we get:

∴ 𝐷 = 𝟕. 𝟎𝟐 𝒎

o Therefore, our pile must be 7.02 m deep since we do not have to account for
the groundwater table which is at a considerable depth below the pile base.
o Thus, the length of our pile can be 7.0 m for simplicity.

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 9

Example – Load Capacity of Single Piles
PROBLEM 2:
Determine the ultimate and allowable bearing capacity of the 500 mm diameter reinforced
concrete bored pile given in the figures below: Q u
(a) Qu (b)

Clay
Clay cu = 80 kPa
4m
cu = 80 kPa  = 18 kN/m3
4m
 = 18 kN/m3

Sand
Sand c’ = 0 kPa
6m ' = 37.5º
c’ = 0 kPa
6m ' = 37.5º sat = 21.5 kN/m3
sat = 21.5 kN/m3

Clay
cu = 160 kPa
 = 20 kN/m3
TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 10
Example – Load Capacity of Single Piles
SOLUTION: Part (a)

1. Base Resistance 𝑞𝑏 = 𝜎′𝑣 ∙ 𝑁𝑞

Effective stress at the base of the pile:

𝜎′𝑣 = 18 × 4 + 21.5 − 9.81 (6)
𝜎′𝑣 = 142.14 𝑘𝑃𝑎
Find Nq using Graph: 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝜙 = 37.5°: (Berezantsev)
𝐷 10
= = 20 → 𝑁𝑞 = 100
Therefore: 𝐵 0.5
∴ 𝑞𝑏 = 142.14 100 = 14 214.0 𝑘𝑃𝑎

Ultimate Base Capacity:

𝑄𝑏 = 𝑞𝑏 ∙ 𝐴𝑏
(𝜋)(0.5)2 (14214)
𝑄𝑏 =
4
∴ 𝑄𝑏 = 𝟐 𝟕𝟗𝟎. 𝟗𝟏 𝒌𝑵

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 11

Example – Load Capacity of Single Piles
SOLUTION: Part (a)

2. Shaft Resistance 𝑞𝑠 = 𝛼 ∙ 𝑐𝑢

Shaft capacity of pile needs to be determined in

two parts:
a) Shaft capacity of pile in Clay Layer
b) Shaft capacity of pile in Sand Layer
(a) Clay Layer: Resistance is purely due to cohesion.
1.0
𝑞𝑠 = 𝛼 ∙ 𝑐𝑢 1.0

𝑞𝑠 = (0.62 × 80) 0.8 0.8

∴ 𝑞𝑠 = 𝟒𝟗. 𝟔 𝒌𝑷𝒂 0.62

Reduction Factor, 
0.6

Reduction Factor, 
0.6

Ultimate Shear Capacity: 0.4

𝑄𝑠1 = 𝑞𝑠 ∙ 𝐴𝑠 0.4

0.2
𝑄𝑠1 = (49.6)(𝜋 × 0.5 × 4)
0.2
∴ 𝑄𝑠1 = 𝟑𝟏𝟏. 𝟔𝟓 𝒌𝑵 0

80
0 100 200

Average Undrained Shear Strength, s u (kPa)

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 0REDUCTION FACTOR  vs UNDRAINED SHEAR STRENGTH12

0 FOR PILES IN CLAY 100
Example – Load Capacity of Single Piles
SOLUTION: Part (a)

2. Shaft Resistance 𝑞𝑠 = 𝐾 ∙ 𝜎′𝑣 ∙ 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛿

(b) Sand Layer: Resistance is purely due to friction.
Effective stress at midpoint of the pile in layer 2:
𝜎′𝑣 = 18 × 4 + (21.5 − 9.81)(3) = 107.07 𝑘𝑃𝑎
For concrete and bored piles :
3
𝛿 = ∙ 37.5 = 28.125° 𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝐾 = 1.0
4
Therefore:
𝐴𝑠 = 𝜋 ∙ 𝑑 ∙ 𝐿
𝑄𝑠2 = 𝑞𝑠 ∙ 𝐴𝑠
𝑄𝑠2 = 1.0 107.07 tan(28.125) ∙ (𝜋 × 0.5 × 6)
∴ 𝑄𝑠2 = 𝟓𝟑𝟗. 𝟑𝟖 𝒌𝑵
Installation method K
Ultimate Shaft Capacity:
Large displacement 1.0 – 2.0
𝑄𝑠 = 𝑄𝑠1 + 𝑄𝑠2
Small displacement 0.75 - 1.25
𝑄𝑠 = (311.65) + (539.38) Bored & cast in situ piles 0.7 – 1.0

𝑄𝑠 = 𝟖𝟓𝟏. 𝟎𝟑 𝒌𝑵 Jetted piles 0.5 - 0.7

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 13

Example – Load Capacity of Single Piles
SOLUTION: Part (a)

3. Ultimate Bearing Capacity

𝑄𝑢 = 𝑄𝑠 + 𝑄𝑏

𝑄𝑢 = 851.03 + (2790.91)

∴ 𝑄𝑢 = 𝟑 𝟔𝟒𝟏. 𝟗𝟒 𝒌𝑵

4. Allowable Bearing Capacity

𝑄𝑢𝑙𝑡
Recall: 𝑄𝑎𝑙𝑙 =
𝐹𝑆

𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝐹𝑆 = 3.0

Therefore:
(3 641.94)
∴ 𝑄𝑎𝑙𝑙 = = 𝟏 𝟐𝟏𝟒. 𝟎 𝒌𝑵
(3)

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 14

Example – Load Capacity of Single Piles
SOLUTION: Part (b)

1. Base Resistance 𝑞𝑏 = 𝑐𝑢 𝑁𝑐

𝐿 10
= = 20 → 𝑁𝑐 = 9
𝐷 0.5
Therefore:
𝑞𝑏 = 𝑐𝑢 𝑁𝑐

𝑞𝑏 = (160)(9)

∴ 𝑞𝑏 = 𝟏𝟒𝟒𝟎 𝒌𝑷𝒂

Ultimate Base Capacity:

𝑄𝑏 = 𝑞𝑏 ∙ 𝐴𝑏
(𝜋)(0.5)2 (1440)
𝑄𝑏 =
4
∴ 𝑄𝑏 = 𝟐𝟖𝟐. 𝟕𝟒 𝒌𝑵

Note: Shaft resistance will remain the same, the only factor
that will change is the Base resistance.

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 15

Example – Load Capacity of Single Piles
SOLUTION: Part (b)

2. Shaft Resistance 𝑞𝑠 = 𝛼 ∙ 𝑐𝑢

Shaft capacity of pile needs to be determined in

two parts:
a) Shaft capacity of pile in Clay Layer
b) Shaft capacity of pile in Sand Layer
(a) Clay Layer: Resistance is purely due to cohesion.
1.0
𝑞𝑠 = 𝛼 ∙ 𝑐𝑢 1.0

𝑞𝑠 = (0.62 × 80) 0.8 0.8

∴ 𝑞𝑠 = 𝟒𝟗. 𝟔 𝒌𝑷𝒂 0.62

Reduction Factor, 
0.6

Reduction Factor, 
0.6

Ultimate Shear Capacity: 0.4

𝑄𝑠1 = 𝑞𝑠 ∙ 𝐴𝑠 0.4

0.2
𝑄𝑠1 = (49.6)(𝜋 × 0.5 × 4)
0.2
∴ 𝑄𝑠1 = 𝟑𝟏𝟏. 𝟔𝟓 𝒌𝑵 0

80
0 100 200

Average Undrained Shear Strength, s u (kPa)

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 0REDUCTION FACTOR  vs UNDRAINED SHEAR STRENGTH16

0 FOR PILES IN CLAY 100
Example – Load Capacity of Single Piles
SOLUTION: Part (b)

2. Shaft Resistance 𝑞𝑠 = 𝐾 ∙ 𝜎′𝑣 ∙ 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛿

(b) Sand Layer: Resistance is purely due to friction.
Effective stress at midpoint of the pile in layer 2:
𝜎′𝑣 = 18 × 4 + (21.5 − 9.81)(3) = 107.07 𝑘𝑃𝑎
For concrete and bored piles :
3
𝛿 = ∙ 37.5 = 28.125° 𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝐾 = 1.0
4
Therefore:
𝐴𝑠 = 𝜋 ∙ 𝑑 ∙ 𝐿
𝑄𝑠2 = 𝑞𝑠 ∙ 𝐴𝑠
𝑄𝑠2 = 1.0 107.07 tan(28.125) ∙ (𝜋 × 0.5 × 6)
∴ 𝑄𝑠2 = 𝟓𝟑𝟗. 𝟑𝟖 𝒌𝑵
Installation method K
Ultimate Shaft Capacity:
Large displacement 1.0 – 2.0
𝑄𝑠 = 𝑄𝑠1 + 𝑄𝑠2
Small displacement 0.75 - 1.25
𝑄𝑠 = (311.65) + (539.38) Bored & cast in situ piles 0.7 – 1.0

𝑄𝑠 = 𝟖𝟓𝟏. 𝟎𝟑 𝒌𝑵 Jetted piles 0.5 - 0.7

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 17

Example – Load Capacity of Single Piles
SOLUTION: Part (b)

3. Ultimate Bearing Capacity

𝑄𝑢 = 𝑄𝑠 + 𝑄𝑏

𝑄𝑢 = 851.03 + (282.74)

∴ 𝑄𝑢 = 𝟏 𝟏𝟑𝟑. 𝟕𝟕 𝒌𝑵

4. Allowable Bearing Capacity

𝑄𝑢𝑙𝑡
Recall: 𝑄𝑎𝑙𝑙 =
𝐹𝑆

𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝐹𝑆 = 3.0

Therefore:
(1 133.77)
∴ 𝑄𝑎𝑙𝑙 = = 𝟑𝟕𝟕. 𝟗𝒌𝑵
(3)

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 18

Example – Load Capacity of Group Piles
PROBLEM 3:
Nine reinforced concrete piles, 0.4 m in diameter and 15 m long, are to be driven into three
layers of soil whose properties are as shown in the figure below. The piles are spaced at
1.5 m centres in a 3 × 3 group.

REQUIRED:
a) The Ultimate Axial Capacity of each pile.
b) The Ultimate Group Capacity.
c) The Efficiency of the group.
d) If the pile group was to be subjected to a vertical load of 4000 kN, would this design
be adequate?
TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 19
Example – Load Capacity of Group Piles
SOLUTION: (a) Ultimate Axial Capacity of each pile.

1. Base Resistance: 𝑞𝑏 = 𝜎′𝑣 ∙ 𝑁𝑞

Effective stress at the base of the pile:
𝜎′𝑣 = 18.5 × 3 + 18 × 7 + 19 × 5
𝜎′𝑣 = 276.5 𝑘𝑃𝑎
Find Nq using Graph: 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝜙 = 38°: (Berezantsev)
𝐷 15
= = 37.5 → 𝑁𝑞 = 100
Therefore: 𝐵 0.4
∴ 𝑞𝑏 = 276.5 100 = 27 650 𝑘𝑃𝑎

Ultimate Base Capacity:

𝑄𝑏 = 𝑞𝑏 ∙ 𝐴𝑏
(𝜋)(0.4)2 (27650)
𝑄𝑏 =
4
∴ 𝑄𝑏 = 𝟑 𝟒𝟕𝟒. 𝟔𝟎 𝒌𝑵

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 20

Example – Load Capacity of Group Piles
SOLUTION: (a) Ultimate Axial Capacity of each pile.

2. Shaft Resistance 𝑞𝑠 = 𝐾 ∙ 𝜎′𝑣 ∙ 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛿

Shaft capacity to be determined in three parts:

a) Soil Layer A – Cohesionless
b) Soil Layer B – Cohesive
c) Soil Layer C – Cohesionless
(a) Soil Layer A : Resistance is purely due to friction.
Effective stress at midpoint of the pile in Layer A:
𝜎′𝑣 = 18.5 × 1.5 = 27.75 𝑘𝑃𝑎
For concrete and driven piles :
3
𝛿 = ∙ 28 = 21° 𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝐾 = 1.25
4
𝐴𝑠 = 𝜋 ∙ 𝑑 ∙ 𝐿 Installation method K
Therefore:
Large displacement 1.0 – 2.0
𝑄𝑠1 = 𝑞𝑠 ∙ 𝐴𝑠
Small displacement 0.75 - 1.25
𝑄𝑠1 = 1.25 27.75 tan(21) ∙ (𝜋 × 0.4 × 3) Bored & cast in situ piles 0.7 – 1.0

∴ 𝑄𝑠1 = 𝟓𝟎. 𝟐 𝒌𝑵 Jetted piles 0.5 - 0.7

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 21

Example – Load Capacity of Group Piles
SOLUTION: (a) Ultimate Axial Capacity of each pile.

2. Shaft Resistance
(b) Soil Layer B: Resistance is purely due to cohesion.
𝑞𝑠 = 𝛼 ∙ 𝑐𝑢 = (0.38 × 150)
∴ 𝑞𝑠 = 𝟓𝟕. 𝟎 𝒌𝑷𝒂
Therefore:
𝑄𝑠2 = 𝑞𝑠 ∙ 𝐴𝑠 = (57)(𝜋 × 0.4 × 7)
∴ 𝑄𝑠2 = 𝟓𝟎𝟏. 𝟒 𝒌𝑵
1.0

(c) Soil Layer C: Resistance is purely due to friction. 1.0

Effective stress at midpoint of the pile in Layer C: 0.8 0.8

𝜎′𝑣 = 18.5 × 3 + 18 × 7 + (19 × 2.5) = 229.0 𝑘𝑃𝑎

Reduction Factor, 
0.6

Reduction Factor, 
3 0.6

Therefore: 𝛿 = ∙ 38 = 28.5° 𝐾 = 1.25

4 0.4
0.38
0.4

𝑄𝑠3 = 1.25 229 tan(28.5) ∙ (𝜋 × 0.4 × 5) 0.2

∴ 𝑄𝑠3 = 𝟗𝟕𝟔. 𝟓 𝒌𝑵 0
0.2

150
0 100 200

Average Undrained Shear Strength, s u (kPa)

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti FOR PILES IN CLAY

22
0REDUCTION FACTOR  vs UNDRAINED SHEAR STRENGTH
0 100
Example – Load Capacity of Group Piles
SOLUTION: (a) Ultimate Axial Capacity of each pile.
Ultimate Shaft Capacity:
𝑄𝑠 = 𝑄𝑠1 + 𝑄𝑠2 + 𝑄3
𝑄𝑠 = (50.2) + (501.4) + (976.5)
𝑄𝑠 = 𝟏 𝟓𝟐𝟖. 𝟏 𝒌𝑵

3. Ultimate Bearing Capacity

𝑄𝑢 = 𝑄𝑠 + 𝑄𝑏
𝑄𝑢 = 1528.1 + (3474.6)

∴ 𝑄𝑢 = 𝟓 𝟎𝟎𝟐. 𝟕 𝒌𝑵

4. Allowable Bearing Capacity

𝑄𝑢𝑙𝑡
Recall: 𝑄𝑎𝑙𝑙 = 𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝐹𝑆 = 3.0
𝐹𝑆
Therefore:
(5002.7)
∴ 𝑄𝑎𝑙𝑙 = = 𝟏 𝟔𝟔𝟕. 𝟔 𝒌𝑵
(3)
TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 23
Example – Load Capacity of Group Piles
SOLUTION: (b) Ultimate Axial Capacity of Group pile.

1. Base Resistance of Group Pile:

Effective stress at the base of the pile:
𝜎′𝑣 = 18.5 × 3 + 18 × 7 + 19 × 5
𝜎′𝑣 = 276.5 𝑘𝑃𝑎
Find Nq using Graph: 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝜙 = 38°: (Berezantsev)
𝐷 15
= = 37.5 → 𝑁𝑞 = 100
Therefore: 𝐵 0.4
∴ 𝑞𝑏 = 276.5 100 = 27 650 𝑘𝑃𝑎

Ultimate Base Capacity: 𝐴𝑠(𝑔) = 𝐴 ∙ 𝐵

𝑄𝑏(𝑔) = 𝑞𝑏 ∙ 𝐴𝑏
(𝜋)(3.4)2 (27650)
𝑄𝑏(𝑔) =
4
∴ 𝑄𝑏(𝑔) = 𝟐𝟓𝟏 𝟎𝟑𝟗. 𝟗𝟔 𝒌𝑵

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 24

Example – Load Capacity of Group Piles
SOLUTION: (b) Ultimate Axial Capacity of Group pile.

2. Shaft Resistance of Group Pile:

Shaft capacity to be determined in three parts:
a) Soil Layer A – Cohesionless
b) Soil Layer B – Cohesive
c) Soil Layer C – Cohesionless
(a) Soil Layer A : Resistance is purely due to friction.
Effective stress at midpoint of the pile in Layer A:
𝜎′𝑣 = 18.5 × 1.5 = 27.75 𝑘𝑃𝑎
For concrete and driven piles :
3
𝛿 = ∙ 28 = 21° 𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝐾 = 1.25
4
Installation method K
Therefore: 𝐴𝑠 = 4 ∙ 𝐵 ∙ 𝐿 Large displacement 1.0 – 2.0
𝑄𝑠(𝑔)1 = 𝑞𝑠 ∙ 𝐴𝑠
Small displacement 0.75 - 1.25
𝑄𝑠(𝑔)1 = 1.25 27.75 tan(21) ∙ (4 × 3.4 × 3) Bored & cast in situ piles 0.7 – 1.0

∴ 𝑄𝑠(𝑔)1 = 𝟓𝟒𝟑. 𝟐𝟔 𝒌𝑵 Jetted piles 0.5 - 0.7

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 25

Example – Load Capacity of Group Piles
SOLUTION: (b) Ultimate Axial Capacity of Group pile.

2. Shaft Resistance of Group Pile:

(b) Soil Layer B: Resistance is purely due to cohesion.
𝑞𝑠 = 𝛼 ∙ 𝑐𝑢 = (0.38 × 150)
∴ 𝑞𝑠 = 𝟓𝟕. 𝟎 𝒌𝑷𝒂
Therefore:
𝑄𝑠(𝑔)2 = 𝑞𝑠 ∙ 𝐴𝑠 = (57)(4 × 3.4 × 7)
∴ 𝑄𝑠(𝑔)2 = 𝟓 𝟒𝟐𝟔. 𝟒 𝒌𝑵
1.0

(c) Soil Layer C: Resistance is purely due to friction. 1.0

Effective stress at midpoint of the pile in Layer C: 0.8 0.8

𝜎′𝑣 = 18.5 × 3 + 18 × 7 + (19 × 2.5) = 229.0 𝑘𝑃𝑎

Reduction Factor, 
0.6

Reduction Factor, 
3 0.6

Therefore: 𝛿 = ∙ 38 = 28.5° 𝐾 = 1.25

4 0.4
0.38
0.4

𝑄𝑠(𝑔)3 = 1.25 229 tan(28.5) ∙ (4 × 3.4 × 5) 0.2

∴ 𝑄𝑠(𝑔)3 = 𝟏𝟎 𝟓𝟔𝟖. 𝟔𝟑 𝒌𝑵 0
0.2

150
0 100 200

Average Undrained Shear Strength, s u (kPa)

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti FOR PILES IN CLAY

26
0REDUCTION FACTOR  vs UNDRAINED SHEAR STRENGTH
0 100
Example – Load Capacity of Group Piles
SOLUTION: (b) Ultimate Axial Capacity of Group Pile.
Ultimate Shaft Capacity: 3. Ultimate Bearing Capacity
𝑄𝑠(𝑔) = 𝑄𝑠(𝑔)1 + 𝑄𝑠(𝑔)2 + 𝑄𝑠(𝑔)3 𝑄𝑢(𝑔) = 𝑄𝑠(𝑔) + 𝑄𝑏(𝑔)
𝑄𝑠(𝑔) = (543.26) + (5426.4) + (10568.63)
𝑄𝑢(𝑔) = 16538.29 + (251039.96)
𝑄𝑠(𝑔) = 𝟏𝟔 𝟓𝟑𝟖. 𝟐𝟗 𝒌𝑵
∴ 𝑄𝑢(𝑔) = 𝟐𝟔𝟕 𝟓𝟕𝟖. 𝟑 𝒌𝑵

(c) Pile Group Efficiency:

B = 3.4 m
𝑄𝑢(𝑔) (267 578.3) A
∴𝜂= = = 𝟓. 𝟗𝟒%
𝑛 ∙ 𝑄𝑢 (9) ∙ (5002.7)

L = 15 m
(d) Allowable Bearing Capacity
𝑄𝑢𝑙𝑡
Recall: 𝑄𝑎𝑙𝑙 = 𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝐹𝑆 = 3.0
𝐹𝑆
Therefore:
(267578.3)
∴ 𝑄𝑎𝑙𝑙 = = 𝟖𝟗 𝟏𝟗𝟐. 𝟕𝟓 𝒌𝑵 > 𝟒𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝒌𝑵 ∴ 𝑨𝒅𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒆
(3)

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 27

Thank You

TCVG3711 – Mr. S.S. Muluti 28