Ultimate Skin Friction

DEEP FOUNDATIONS
-

Df /B > 2.5 where Df is the depth and B is the base of the footing
Used when:
1) soil at shallow depths is unable to support loads transferred by foundations
2) low strength of soils requires very large shallow foundation which is not
economical and impractical
to transmit loads from superstructure to deeper soil strata

= ( )()( )()

Ultimate End Bearing / Point Resistance

= ( )()( )

PILES
Structural members made of timber, concrete, steel, or composite materials to
provide vertical and lateral support
Most commonly used
Pile raft (piles connected by raft to control differential settlements)
Point/End bearing piles (to transfer loads through water or soft soil to a suitable
bearing stratum)
Friction piles (to transfer loads in a relatively weak soil by means of skin friction
along the length of the piles

Where: Dc

K
P
Po bottom
Nq
Atip

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

PILE LOAD CAPACITY BASED ON SOIL PROPERTIES

-

Load carrying capacity is governed by structural strength and supporting soil

properties. Smaller of the two values is considered in the design, usually the
capacity based on soil properties except for timber piles.

PILES IN SAND LAYER

critical depth
10 (size of pile) for loose sand
20 (size of pile) for dense sand
coefficient of lateral pressure
perimeter of pile
effective pressure at the bottom
soil bearing factor
cross-sectional area of the tip of the pile in contact with the
soil

PILES IN CLAY LAYER

Ultimate Skin Friction

=

Ultimate End Bearing / Point Resistance

DC

Qfrictio

= ()()( )
Where

Qtip

Pressure

Figure 1 Capacity of piles driven in sand layer

P
L
Nc
Atip

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

frictional ratio
f/C
Cohesion
qu/2 ; where qu = unconfined compression strength
perimeter of pile
embedded length of pile
soil cohesion factor
cross-sectional area of the tip of the pile in contact with the
soil

Theoretical / Ultimate Pile Capacity

= +

Design/Allowable Pile Capacity

=

FS = usually ranges from 2.5 to 4

Group Efficiency,
-

If piles are used in groups, there may be an overlap of stresses if spacing is too
close. However, if spacing is large, soil may fail in shear or settlement will be very
large

Figure 2. Stresses in soil due to loads on single pile and pile groups

( + ) +
=

Where:
Qu total group
Qu total individual
m
n
s
D

=
=
=
=
=
=

ultimate load capacity of pile group

sum of ultimate load capacities of individual piles
no. of columns
no. of rows
spacing
diameter of pile

Figure 2. Stresses in soil due to loads on single pile and pile groups

SETTLEMENT OF PILE GROUP

Firm Clay Layer

Settlement based on type of soil in contact with the end bearing piles:
Rock no settlement
Sand minimal settlement
Clay significant settling

Pressure distribution spreads out below L at V:H of 2:1

Uniform Clay Layer

-

Settlement can be estimated by assuming that the support block used to

calculate the group capacity extends to a depth of (2/3)L
Settlement above (2/3)L is assumed to be negligible
Pressure distribution spreads out below (2/3)L at V:H of 2:1. Hence, the presence
of lower L/3 pile length is neglected

Figure 4. Settlement of Pile Group in Uniform Clay Layer

Sample Problems

Figure 3. Settlement of Pile Group in Uniform Clay Layer

1) A circular prestressed concrete pile having a diameter of 40 cm is to be driven in

a layer of loose sand. The design capacity of the pile is 510 KN with a factor of
safety of 3. The soil has the following properties:
= 18.1 KN/m3
Nq = 80
K = 3.0
tan = 0.45
a) Compute the end bearing capacity of the pile.
b) Find the skin friction expected to develop along the shaft of the pile.
c) Compute the required length of the pile.
2) Prestressed concrete piles are planned for use as the foundation for a waterfront
structure. Soil condition is dense sand with water table located 3m below the
ground. The soil has the following properties:
= 19.65 KN/m3
Nq = 80
K = 3.0
= 10.22 KN/m3
tan = 0.45

a) Determine the capacity of the pile due to skin friction

b) Compute the capacity due to end bearing.
c) Calculate the design load that the pile could carry if the factor of safety is 3.
3) A nine pile group composed of 0.30m diameter pipe piles is embedded 15m in
clay soil with conditions indicated in the figure.
a) Determine the total capacity if piles act individually.
b) Find the total capacity if piles act as a group.
c) Determine the design load if factor of safety is 3.

4) A nine pile group composed of 30cm diameter piles is embedded below the
ground with conditions indicated below.
a) Compute the compression index of the clay.
b) Determine the settlement of the pile foundation if it is in a uniform clay soil.
c) Find the settlement of the pile foundation if it is in a firm clay soil.