Pile Testing

1 General
Unless otherwise specifed, pile tests shall be carried out as described in this
Section of the Specifcation.
2 Test Load and Kentledge
The test load shall be applied by means of a hydraulic jack of adequate
capacity ftted with measurin de!ices of which the ma"imum scale is about
1#$% of twice the workin load and are capable of reisterin loads in
increments not e"ceedin & tons. The hydraulic jack and measurin de!ices
shall be appro!ed by the S.'. before use. (ertifcates of calibration for all
measurin de!ices shall be pro!ided at the S.'.)s request.
The kentlede shall be pro!ided by a hea!y mass of dead load, e"ceedin the
ma"imum test load required, supported centrally o!er the test pile on suitably
constructed temporary stain or by means of anchor piles.
*f anchor piles are used to pro!ide reaction for the jack, these piles shall not be
closer to the test pile centre to centre than 1.&m or & pile diameters or
equi!alent whiche!er is the larer. +nchor piles, which later form part of the
piled foundation to the structure, shall be appropriately re, dri!en to the
required set or le!el as directed by the S.'. all to his full satisfaction.
- Settlement Measurement
.ertical mo!ements of the test pile shall be measured by at least two dial
aues, with a minimum of 2&mm tra!el, raduated in $.$2&mm di!isions.
The aues shall be erected on sti/ steel beams, the ends of which shall rest
on or be f"ed to reliable supports. Such supports shall be located not closer
than 1.&m from the test pile, and shall be riidly f"ed to the round to a depth
of not less than 1m of concrete surround. *n addition, the ele!ation of the
supports shall be checked frequently with reference to a f"ed benchmark. The
entire measurin assembly shall be properly protected aainst rain, direct
sunliht and other disturbances that miht a/ect its reliability. Temperature
readins shall be taken when requested by the S.'.
# Equipment and Personnel for Load Test
+ll kentlede stain, anchor piles, equipment, shelter, supports and the like
required for the load test shall be pro!ided by the (ontractor, who shall also
pro!ide all necessary facilities to enable the S.'. to check all readins durin
the proress of the test.
The S.'. will super!ise and direct the whole process of the test and pro!ide
skilled sta/ to assist in takin and recordin all readins.
The (ontractor shall pro!ide all other labour required for the proper e"ecution
of the test, includin the construction and dismantlin of the load stain and
handlin of the kentlede materials on and o/ the load stae and the like, and
for the continuous and competent watchin of the whole assembly, all to the
full satisfaction of the S.'.
& Procedure of Testing
a0Constant Rate of Penetration Tests
1ach 2ile 3oad Test shall be preceeded by three cycles of pile loadin test at a
constant rate of penetration carried out in accordance to 4S 5$$# to full
test load equal to twice the desin load. +t least twel!e readins of
settlements and their correspondin loads shall be made in the loadin
process. +fter attainin a test load equal to twice the desin load, the
load is radually released and at least four readins of settlement and
their correspondin loads shall be made durin the unloadin process.
The settlement when the load is completely released should also be
recorded. +n inter!al of at least 1& minutes must elapse before the
ne"t (62 test is commenced.
b0Maintained Load Test
The load shall be applied in increments of 1$% of the workin load up to the
workin load and thereafter at 2$% of the workin load until twice the
workin load is reached. 1ach increment of load shall be applied as
smoothly and as e"peditiously as possible. Settlement readins and
time obser!ations shall be taken before and after each new load
increment.
+ settlement,time raph shall be plotted to indicate when the rate of
settlement of $.$&mm in 1& minutes is reached. + further increment of
load shall be applied when this rate of settlement is achie!ed or until a
minimum time of 2 hours has elapsed, whiche!er is later. The process
is repeated until the ma"imum test load is reached. The safe workin
load shall maintained for at least 12 hours.
The ma"imum test load shall then be maintained for a minimum of 2# hours,
and time,settlement readins shall be taken in reular inter!als as for
the other load staes.
The test load shall then be decreased in four equal staes and time,settlement
readins taken as described aforesaid until the mo!ement ceases. +t
least 7$ minute inter!als shall be allowed between the unloadin
decrements.
7 Records of Tests
The (ontractor shall submit two copies of all records of results, not includin
the oriinal copy, toether with load, settlement and load,time raphs to the
S.'. within 2# hours of the completion of each test.
8 Interpretation of Test Results
The S.'.)s interpretation and conclusions arri!ed at on the test results shall be
fnal. 9hen the pile test as prescribed has been carried out, the pile so tested
shall be deemed to ha!e failed if:
a0the residual settlement after remo!al of the test load e"ceeds 7mm, or
b0the total settlement under workin load e"ceeds 1-mm, or
c0the total settlement under twice the workin load e"ceeds -5mm
d0the pile continues to settle at a steady rate under a constant load which is
less than twice the workin load
e0the ma"imum settlement of the pile top e"ceeds one, tenth of the pile base
diameter or least dimension, whiche!er is the lesser, before twice the
workin load is reached.