Pile Load Tests. Interpretation Criteria

Abstract

The criteria for interpretation of the pile load tests are discussed considering the acceptance criteria (criteria of limit settlement) and the failure (criteria of limit load). ln all cases the objectives are to decide the acceptance of the piles, to estimate a safety load, and to define the failure load.

It is proposed that the acceptance of pile must be based on three simultaneous criteria:

• to verify the settlement attained with the service load taking into account the superstructure;
• to verify the actual failure load or a maximum load during the test, with a convenient safety factor (at least 2);
• to appreciate how the load/settlement curve

It is suggested that the use of the constants obtained from the adjusted load/settlement curves and results of the tested piles can be used to clarify the piles and to evaluate the uniformity of the behaviour of the piles in the same job, zone or region.