Calculation of Pile capacity from field data

Estimating the load carrying capacity of precast pile of size 500X500 with chamfer 25mm at
corner, the length of pile is 15m

Layer

Depth (m)

Type of soil

N values

1
2
3
4
5

0 to 5
5 to 11
11 to 13
13 to 15
Beyond 15

Clay fill
Medium sand
Medium sand
Medium sand
Medium sand

4
20
25
35
50

SCPT Value
(kg/cm2 )
16
120
150
200
300

Step 1: Determination of soil properties from SPT values

Layer

Thickness (m)

Type

c, values

1
2

5
6

Clay
Sand

4
20

Sand

25

C= 0.2 kg/cm2
=33o
=35o

Sand

35

Sand

50

Step 2: Finding the properties of pile section

L
D

15
0.5

= 30; > critical depth 20D= 10m

Pile extends beyond critical depth

Assume submerge wt. of soil = 10 kN/m3 =1t/m3
Max. Effective overburden, PD = 10t (for friction)
Ap = (0.5)2-2*(0.025)2 =0.24875 m2
Perimeter = 4*0.5 = 2 m
Step 3: Determine components of top layer (-ve friction)
Thickness = 5m
qsi = -Aic = - (2*5)*2 = -20 tons (-ve friction)

=37o
=41o

As the layer is at the top and the pile is precast we can reduce this drag by bituminous
coatings

Step 4: Estimate friction 2nd to 4th layer

Qs =

PD tan Ap ;

Ap = perimeter = 2m
For driven piles in medium sand, =40o (assumed)
K = 1.5; Assume

= (3/4)

The following values can be used

(Note: K for driven piles is assumed > K for bored piles.)

Layer

Thickness (m)

2
3
4
5

Mean
depth(PD)

8
12
14

33o
35o
37o
41o

6
2
2

(Assume K = 1.5 and = 1 t/m2

25o = 5.59 t/m2

qs2 =1.5 * 12 * tan

26o = 8.77 t/m2

qs3=1.5 * 14 * tan

27o = 10.77 t/m2

Allowable maximum = 11 t/m2 (All values < 11 t/m2)

Qs = 5.59(2*6) + 8.77(2*2) + (10.77*2*2)
= 145 t/m2
Step 5: Calculate bearing strength

= (3/4)

Calculate frictional resistance of each layer

qs1 =1.5 * 8 * tan

25
26
27

Qb =Ap (0.5 D N +PDN q ) Wt. of pile (W)

= 41o , N = 142; Assume

= 1 t/m3

Qb = PDNq
For Nq, we use Berezantevs curves (IS2911)
For Nq; = (

37 +41

=39o

Nq = 120 and PDNq =1200

Qb = 0.249 ((0.5 * 0.5 * 1 *142) + (10 * 120)) W
= 0.249 (35.5 + 1200)

1200 t /m2

Limiting PDNq to 1100 tons/m2 , which is < 1200 t/m2

Qb = 0.249 * 1100 = 273 tons
Step 6: Total bearing capacity
Qu = Qb + Qs = 273 + 145 = 418 tons
Qallowable =

Qu
F .S

Negative skin friction

418
2.5

20 = 147 tons

Step 7: Check for structural capacity

Based on concrete only; fc = 0.25 fck
Assuming fck = 20 N/mm2
Qst = 0.25 * 20 * 500 * 500 = 125 tons
Assume safe load = 125 tons only

Calculation of pile capacity from Meyerhofs Formula

Step 1: Meyerhofs formula for concrete piles
Friction in sand = N / 5 (in t/m2 )
Friction in clay = N/2 (in t/m2 )
End bearing in sand = 40 N (in t/m2 ) for

Qu = 40 NAp +

L
D

> 10

As = Qp + Qs (ultimate in tons)

Step 2: Determine frictional capacity

First strata clay negative skin friction = 20 tons
Second strata sand N = 20 (qs = 20/5 = 4t /m2 )
Third strata sand N = 25 (qs = 25/5 = 5t /m2 )
Fourth strata sand N = 35 (qs = 35/5 = 7t /m2 )
(as maximum allowed is 11 t/m2 use above value)
Perimeter of pile = 4* 0.5 = 2 m
Qs = (4 * 6 * 2) + (5 * 2 * 2) + (7 * 2 * 2) = 96 tons
Step 3: Determine capacity in bearing
N = Assume mean value = 39

L
D

15
0.5

= 30 > 10 (pile depth > critical depth)

Qb = 40 * 39 = 1560 t/m2
Max. Allowed end bearing for driven piles = 1500 t/m2
Qu = Ap * 1500 = 0.24875 * 1500 = 370 tons
Step 4: Calculate the total capacity
Qu = Qb + Qs = 370 + 96 = 466 tons
Qallowable =

466
2.5 - 20 = 166 tons

Step 5: Calculate the structural capacity

Qst = 125 tons only. Hence safe capacity = 125 tons

LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY OF PILES BY DYNAMIC FORMULAE

Dynamic formulae explains the use of pile driving to estimate ultimate capacity of piles. It is
useful to remember its limitations. Except for the wave equation analysis, dynamic formulae are
normally applicable only for point bearing piles in cohesion less soils. These formulae are not
applicable to clay soils as its strength is time dependent.
Pile Driving Equipment
The components of a pre-cast pile driving system consist of four items which are now
1. Pile frame: This is a frame mounted on crawlers, trucks or sledges with arrangements for
lifting, aligning and driving the piles.
2. Pile hammer: Consist of the ram and anvil. These are made of cast iron or cast steel and
are used to drive the pile. Hammer may be any one of the following:
Drop hammer
Single acting hammer (steam or pneumatic)
Double acting hammer (steam or pneumatic)
Diesel hammer
Vibratory hammer
Each of these has its particular use and literature on construction equipment must be consulted
for proper selection.
3. Helmet: This assembly consist of the dolly, steel cap and cushion. Helmets are placed
over concrete piles to hold the resilient dolly and packing. They are specially shaped to

receive the particular shape of the pile and are also fitted with an access for the hard
wood dolly. Steel wedges are used to keep the caps tight on the pile, as loose caps will
lead to damage of the piles. It should be noted that lack of resilience of these materials
could lead to damage of the piles.
4. Follower: Follower is an extension, which transmit hammer blow to the pile when the
pile head is out of reach of the hammer, when it is acting below the ground level or near
the ground level.
Hiley Formula for End Bearing Piles
The modified Hiley formula may be considered more appropriate when the pile derives its
capacity mainly from end bearing. The resistance offered to the final penetration of the pile is
used to estimate the ultimate capacity.
Energy of blow = (resistance of pile; distance travelled)
Distance traveled = penetration + function of elastic compression

(a) The Factor of safety

The Factor of safety to be used as recommended by IS 2911
Table 1: Factor of safety
Type of ground

Hileys Formula
Resistance not
Resistance reduced
reduced on re-driving
on re-driving
1.5
2.0
2.5
2.0
2.5
Not applicable
Not applicable

Rock
Non cohesive soils
Hard cohesive soils
Soft cohesive soils
(b) Hammer efficiency
The hammer efficiency
formula

is given as per IS 2911(99) Part I Sec. 3. For Hileys

with respect to height of fall of hammer

Table 2: Value of Hammer efficiency

Type of hammer
Drop hammer winch operated
Drop hammer trigger release
Single acting hammer

Hammer efficiency
0.8
1.0
0.9

Double acting hammer

1.0

(c) Coefficient of restitution(e)

Increase in efficiency heavier hammer and larger e values. It can be theoretically shown
that heavy hammers with shorter heights of falls give us better driving than light hammers with
high falls. There will be lesser loss of energy with the former case.
Table 3: Values of coefficient of restitution (IS 2911Part I Sec.3 1979)
Material
Coefficient of restitution (e)
Steel ram of double acting hammer on steel
0.50
anvil driving R.C pile.
Cast iron ram of single acting drop hammer
0.40
striking on R.C piles
Single acting or drop hammer with cap,
0.25
helmet hard wood dolly in R.C piles
For deteriorated condition of head of pile
0

Calculation of final set By Hileys formula

Pile size 500 * 500 mm
Length L = 15 m
By a 5 ton hammer with a fall of 2m
Safe capacity of 120 tons Driving without dolly or helmet, but with cushion on top of pile
Step1: Check required ultimate bearing capacity with structural capacity
Structural capacity = 0.25 * 20 * 500 * 500 = 125 t (120 t acceptable)
RU = 120 * 2.5 = 300 t (assume F.S = 2.5)
Step2: Data
Effective drop = 0.8 * 2 = 1.6 m; Wt. of hammer = 5 t
Wt. of pile = ((0.5 * 0.5 *15) + ((0.5 * 0.5 * 0.5)/3))2.5 = 9.5 t
(Pile)

(Shoe)

P = 9.5 t + Wt. of follower (0.2 t) = 9.7 t

e = 0.25

Step3: Calculate efficiency

=

W + P e2
W +P

5+ 9.7(0.25)2
5+ 9.7

= 0.381

Step4: Calculate value of C

C = C 1 + C2 + C 3
C1 = temporary compression of dolly and packing
C1 =

1.761 R
A

C2 =

0.657 R L
A

C3 = 0.073 + 2.806

= 0.073 + (

1.761300
5050

= 0.212 cm

0.65730015.5
5050

= 1.222 cm

R
A

2.806300
) = 0.409 cm
5050

C = 0.212 + 1.222 + 0.409 = 1.843 cm

C/2 = 0.921 cm = 9.21 mm

Step 5: Calculate required set

R=

(WH)
S+C /2

Effective fall H = 0.8 * 2 = 1.6 m = 1600 mm

300 =

51600.381
S+0.921

(using tons and mm units)

S = 0.095 cm = 0.95 mm per blow

Set penetration for 10 blows = 9.5 mm (or 10.5 blows for 100 mm)
The pile has to be driven by the specified hammer and fall to a set of 9.5 mm for 10 blows