8.

8 Pile Load Tests

A pile load test is the most acceptable method to determine the load carrying/bearing capacity of a pile in
the field.
Because of the non-availability of reliable procedures for assessing the load transfer mechanisms between
piles and surrounding soil, or for determining the ultimate capacity of piles, full-scale pile load tests are
conducted.
It is a standard practice to conduct pile load tests in large projects either in the design phase or during
construction.
The significance of a properly conducted pile load test is that it provides the actual soil resistance at the
site upon which design can be based reliably.
In practice, pile load tests are more commonly conducted to determine that the foundation is capable of
sustaining working loads with sufficient factor of safety.
In other instances, load transfer characteristics are required to identify the mechanism by which load is
transferred to the soil.
Pile test may be carried out on a single pile or a group of piles as required.
In case of pile groups, caps will be provided such that the required conditions of actual use are fulfilled.
Generally the load application and deflection observation will be made at the pile top.
In most large projects, a specific number of load tests must be conducted on piles.
The main reason is the unreliability of prediction methods.
Purpose: Pile Load Test

To determine the ultimate bearing capacity (Q ) of the soil for the design of other pile (pilot or test
u
pile).
To ensure that failure does not occur before the design load (working pile).
To find allowable load (Q ) for pile.
a
To find settlement under Q .
a
To determine load-settlement behavior of pile to predict group settlement or differential settlement
of other pile.
To indicate/verify the structural soundness of pile i.e. to ascertain as a proof of acceptability of pile.
To counter check results from geotechnical and pile driving formula.
In Summary: the pile load test is for determining capacity, settlement & structural integrity.
Types of PLT

PLT
Initial PLT (Preliminary PLT for Design Validation) Routine PLT (Working or Work Pile Test or Proof Test)
A) Static PLT
B) Dynamic PLT
C) Pile Shaft Integrity Test

Types of PLT
1. Initial PLT (Preliminary PLT for Design Validation)

A) Static PLT
B) Dynamic PLT
C) Pile Shaft Integrity Test
2. Routine PLT (Working or Work Pile Test or Proof Test)
A) Static PLT
B) Dynamic PLT
C) Pile Shaft Integrity Test
Dynamic PLT Compression Test: Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA), Statnamic Test
Static PLT
1.

Vertical/Axial Compression PLT

2. Lateral PLT
3. Tension or Uplift or Pull-Out PLT
4. Torsion PLT
Vertical/Axial Compression PLT
1) Controlled-stress Methods
a)

Maintained Load Test (MLT)

i) Slow MLT
ii) Quick or Rapid MLT

b) Incremental Equilibrium Test (IET)

c) Constant Time Interval Test (CTIT)
d) Cyclic Test
2) Controlled-strain Methods
a) Constant Rate of Penetration Test (CRPT)
b) Constant Settlement Increment Test (CSIT)
Types of Test
Initial Test
Performed Before the Start of Construction to Assess the Design Adequacy.
Test Load = 2.5 times of Working Load
Carried out on test or pilot piles.
Done in case of important and/or major projects and number of tests may be one or more depending upon
the number of piles required.

Performed before the start of the construction to assess the design adequancy.
In case of specific information about strata and past guiding experience is not available, a minimum of two
initial tests must be performed. (as per IS: 2911, Part 4, 1985)
Piles used for this test are loaded to failure or at least twice the design load.
Such piles are generally not used in the final construction.
Test load = 2.5 times of working load/allowable laod/design load/safe load
Purposes of Initial PLT
This test is required for one or more of the following purposes.

To determine the ultimate load capacities and allowable or safe load by application of FOS.
To provide the guidelines for setting up the limits of acceptance for routine tests.
To study the effect of piling on adjacent existing structures ad take decision for the suitability of type of
piles to be used.
To get an idea of suitability of piling system.
To have a check on calculated load by dynamic or static approaches/methods.

Routine/Work Test
Performed on a Working Pile.
Test Load = 1.5 times of Design Load
Performed on a working pile, known as work test.
Are regular checks.
During this test, pile should be loaded upto 1.5 times the working (design) load and maximum settlement of
the test should not exceed 12 mm.
These piles may be used in the final construction.
The number of tests may generally be 1.5% of the total number of piles required. The number of the test
may be increased up to 2% of the total number of piles or even more in a particular case depending upon
nature, type of structure (for very important structures) and strata condition (in erratic soil deposits). (as per
IS: 2911, Part 4, 1985)
Test load = 1.5 times the design load; may vary depending upon the importance of the structure and the
variation in the soil strata.
Purposes of Routine PLT

This test is required for one or more of the following purposes.

To determine the displacement/settlement at the safe load of the pile.
To check the safe load and extent of safety for the specific functional requirement of the pile at working
load.
To detect any unusual performance contrary to the findings of the initial test, if carried out.
To check the integrity of the piles.
Methods of Testing
Maintained Load Test (MLT)
Advantages

Better method
Provides an idea of both shaft and end resistances.
Contribution of each soil layer can be calculated.
Settlement can be measured.
Give the load-settlement relationship of the pile.
Suitable for point/end bearing piles.

Limitations

Time Consuming Method.

Slow MLT= 1.5 to 3 days
Quick MLT = 3 to 5 hrs.
Ultimate/Failure load is not clearly defined.

Constant Rate of Penetration Test (CRP)

Advantages

Most Suitable for Friction Piles.

Obtained Well-Defined Failure Load
Very Quick Method. Carried out less than 1 hour.

Limitation
Does Not Provide Elastic Settlement at Working Load.
Maintained Load Test (MLT)
Ways of Loading
Depending upon the Work Load, the Load is applied by any of the following methods.
1. For smaller loads: Directly through a kentledge (a system of weights usually concrete or cast iron blocks used for
load testing) (Gravity Loading)
2. For loads up to 5000 kN: by taking reaction against a kentledge (Reaction Beam Loading)
3. For loads higher than 5000 kN: by jacking against a beam connecting adjacent anchor piles (Truss Loading)

Distance of Anchor Piles from Test Pile:

Distance Can not be Less Than 1.5 m.

Should Not be Less Than 4 Times the Diameter of Test Pile for Straight Pile.
Not Less Than 2 Times the Diameter of the Bell for Belled Pile.
Sequence of Load Application:
Load Applied in Increment at the Rate of 25% of Working Load Till Working Load is Reached.
For Each Load Increment Maintain the Load Constant till Settlements is 0.1 mm for 5 mins. as per IS Code,
0.1 mm for 20 mins. as per BS Code.
Go for Next Loading.
When Working Load is Reached , Hold the Load for 24 hrs. and Unload .
Reload from Working Load to Higher Loads.
Hold Load Constant Till Settlement is 0.1 mm for 5 mins. as per IS Code, 0.1 mm for 20 mins. as per BS
Code.
Repeat the Process for Subsequent Load Increments.
Go Either Up to 2.5 Times the Working Load for Initial or Routine Test or to a Settlement Equal to 10% of
Pile Diameter for Straight Piles and 7.5% of Base Diameter for Belled Piles.

Measurement of Load
Burdon Gauge
Proving Ring
Load Cell
Measurement of Deformation/Settlement
Dial Gauges
Surveying Instruments (Leveling Instrument)
Ultimate Load
The failure load is obtained either of the followings:

2/3 of final load causing 12 mm settlement.

of load causing a total settlement of 10% of pile diameter for straight piles and 7.5% of base diameter for
a belled pile.
Suitability of MLT
Normally most suitable in determining the load/settlement performance of a pile under working loads and at 1.5
times working load conditions.
Constant Rate of Penetration Test

Method of Testing
Pile is jacked continuously into the soil at a Constant Rate till Failure takes place.
Jacking Rate in CLAY is 0.75 mm/min. and a Small Movement Required for Failure.
In SANDS, the Jacking Rate is 5 mm/min. and a Large Movement Required for Failure.
Failure Criteria
Failure is defined as:

Load at which the Pile continues to move downwards without any further loading
Load at which the Settlement is 10% of the Pile Diameter.

or

In the CRP test, the load required to cause a pile to penetrate into the ground at a constant rate is monitored
until either the maximum specified test load is achieved or "failure" of the pile occurs.

The performance of the test takes less than 24 hours excluding erecting and dismantling the test equipment.
Limitations of Pile Load Test
Static Method, using kentledge blocks or anchor piles

Expensive, $30-100 per tonne for land pile test

Too costly for offshore pile test Not for Offshore Piles
Long durations, minimum 10 days for setup, test & dismantle
Large setup space, not suitable for congested sites Need Large Work Platform
Limited Test Load
Dangerous

Numerical # 01: Refer Class Note

A pile load test is conducted on a 300 mm diameter test pile and the following data are obtained.
Loa
d
(kN)
0
300
600
900
1200
1500

Settlemen
t (mm)
0
1.25
3.75
7.50
13.75
23.75

1800

36.75

Determine the design load on the pile considering the shear criteria and settlement. Adopt a FOS = 3.0.