Put to the test

摘要

Pile tests are an opportunity. An opportunity to justify design parameters, employ lower partial factors of safety and extend our understanding of a site's conditions. For our design team, pile tests are also an opportunity for some friendly competition to predict results, internally or between the consultants and contractors. When the results are in and the design is updated, how far are the lessons learned passed on? Almost certainly the information is shared within the design team, from one part of a large project to another and on to the engineer's next project. The sharing and collation of this data for the benefit of wider industry is an opportunity we should be encouraging. Our clients and industry have an ever-improving attitude towards sustainability and are conscious of the need to address the climate crisis. Pile tests are an established tool to support a leaner design for current and future projects. Pile tests enable a more efficient foundation design by benefiting all three pillars of sustainability - environment, economy and society - to reduce cost, programme and material quantities.