Recap

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 Recap: Norlund
Shaft shear stress, fs, of a uniform cross section
pile, embedded a length L can be estimated as:

f = K ⋅C ⋅σ′ (z) ⋅sinδ

s δ F v

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Procedure

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Procedure

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Nordlund’s Method: Design Charts
 Nordlund’s Method: Design Charts

Nq

 API

This method is not as commonly used as the Nordlund method by

highway agencies..

Recommendations of API are based on a large database of axial

pile load tests that is continually evaluated and updated
f (z) = σ′ (z) ⋅K⋅ tan(δ)
s v

q = σ′ (z = L) ⋅N
b v q
API Method (Offshore Sands)
API Method (Offshore Sands)
API Method (Offshore Sands)
Modified API Method
 LCPC Method
- Laboratoire Central des Ponts et Chaussees (LCPC) method estimates
pile capacities based on CPT tip resistance (qc) values
- fs determined based on the pile type, installation method, and the value
of the CPT tip resistance, qc
Recommended pile shaft resistance: Divide measured qc by a friction
coefficient αLCPC.
A limiting shaft friction is recommended based on pile and soil type.
Imperial College (CPT) Method

40

30
cv 20

10 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.1 0.2 0.5

1.0 2.0

Mean Particle Size, D10

(mm)
 Imperial College (CPT) Method

The peak local shaft friction (fs) is

related to the local radial effective
stress at failure (σ′rf) by the
following simple Mohr-Coulomb
effective stress criterion:
f = σ′ ⋅ tan δ
s rf f

The radial effective stresses developed around the pile shaft after
installation (σ′rc) were found to depend strongly on the initial relative
density of the sand (Dr) and the distance to the pile tip from the point
where the radial stress is being evaluated.
 Imperial College (CPT) Method: Observations

- Radial stresses rise considerably (by about 50%) due to localized

dilation at the pile-soil interface during axial compression loading
of the pile

- Radial stresses to reach a maximum near the mobilization of the

peak shear stresses

- Increase in radial effective stresses was found to vary in inverse

proportion to the pile radius and was found to be predicted
reasonably well using the simple elastic cylindrical cavity
expansion theory proposed by Boulon and Foray (1986).

- Constant volume or residual interface friction angles (δcv) were

found to control the developed peak local shear stresses in pile
tests.
 Imperial College (CPT) Method

Side friction:

Conditions leading to end plugging:

 Prediction Quality
FHWA manual- Predictions for each pile type included the specific information for each pile capacity
prediction method. Pile specific information included: cross-sectional shape and dimensions, embedment
depths, surface roughness, and interface friction values
fiber-reinforced polymer 
FHWA Summary
 Issues to Consider

• Open Ended Pipe Piles:

 Issues to Consider

• Jetting and Drilling

• Calcareous Sands
 Example 1: Driven Pile in Soil
Compute Axial Resistances for a Trial Design

15 ft Silty sand (SM)

N60 = 9 (N1)60 = 14 115 pcf

33 ft Silty sandSilty
(SM) sand (SM)
N60 = 27 (N1)60 = 28 sat125 pcf
N60=27 (N1)60=28 γsat=125 pcf)
60 ft B = 5 ft Stiff clay (HOC)
trendline:
su = 1,700 psf @ z = 33 ft
su = 3,000 psf @ z = 70 ft

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