Capacity of Driven Piles in Clays and Sands on the Basis of Pile Load Tests

摘要

The axial bearing capacity of a driven pile can only to a limited extent be determined by theoretical analyses, because the stresses acting against the pile, and the mechanical properties of the severely disturbed pile/soil contact zone, are not known. A practical design method must therefore be based upon a semi-empirical approach, calibrated against results from representative pile loading tests. The paper describes pile test data bases established by NGI. Comparisons between measured and calculated capacities, using the current API method and the recently developed Imperial College method, Jardine & Chow (1996), are presented. Consequences for the design of offshore piles are addressed.