Rapid Load Testing on Piles
Preface
The bearing capacity of a foundation pile depends almost solely on the soil in which the pile is installed. Although the foundation engineer strongly relies on the correlation between the bearing capacity of a pile and the results of field-tests (such as CPT and SPT), there has been strong desire for more empirical information on the real bearing capacity of foundation piles. Many contractors develop new cast-in-place systems, progress in this field would also benefit from more intensive testing of the actual bearing capacity.
Unfortunately, static load tests on piles are time consuming and expensive. The limited
number of tests hinders the development of cheaper and more reliable foundation systems,
the delivery of higher added value to the market by contractors and an adequate quality
control by principals and building authorities. A rapid load test may form a good alternative
for a static load test; it is faster and therefore economically more attractive.
Before rapid load testing on piles can be embraced however, there is a need for validation of this method to ensure that it forms a decent alternative for a static load test. Moreover, there is a need for a standard prescribing a consequent test execution, and a guideline enforcing a proper interpretation of test results; all together, a uniform,
international test standard should be developed.
We started our research at Delft University of Technology and GeoDelft (now part of Deltares) as a Dutch project, following a grant of Delft Cluster and a grant of the World Bank for a PhD-student. Considering the importance of international
guidelines in today’s globalizing world and the fact that regulation should meet the
European Euro codes, it soon became a joint project of European researchers. We
organized two seminars, to discuss the progress in rapid load testing and the need
for regulation. These seminars, originally intended for Europe only, were also attended
by researchers from Japan and the USA. Following these meetings, all partners
agreed to write a contribution presenting an overview of their research, the core results
and the implications for the engineering practice.
This book contains the expert contributions by worldwide leading researchers. The effects of various factors are investigated, such as the influence of the loading rate, pore water pressure and the test’s reliability under field conditions. We have authored general information on rapid load testing and results of field tests and centrifuge
testing to complete the contents. The book presents an accurate description of the
execution of the rapid load test.
Paul Hölscher
Frits van Tol
Download
http://s18.alxa.net/s18/srvs2/02/001...g.on.Piles.rar
Preface
The bearing capacity of a foundation pile depends almost solely on the soil in which the pile is installed. Although the foundation engineer strongly relies on the correlation between the bearing capacity of a pile and the results of field-tests (such as CPT and SPT), there has been strong desire for more empirical information on the real bearing capacity of foundation piles. Many contractors develop new cast-in-place systems, progress in this field would also benefit from more intensive testing of the actual bearing capacity.
Unfortunately, static load tests on piles are time consuming and expensive. The limited
number of tests hinders the development of cheaper and more reliable foundation systems,
the delivery of higher added value to the market by contractors and an adequate quality
control by principals and building authorities. A rapid load test may form a good alternative
for a static load test; it is faster and therefore economically more attractive.
Before rapid load testing on piles can be embraced however, there is a need for validation of this method to ensure that it forms a decent alternative for a static load test. Moreover, there is a need for a standard prescribing a consequent test execution, and a guideline enforcing a proper interpretation of test results; all together, a uniform,
international test standard should be developed.
We started our research at Delft University of Technology and GeoDelft (now part of Deltares) as a Dutch project, following a grant of Delft Cluster and a grant of the World Bank for a PhD-student. Considering the importance of international
guidelines in today’s globalizing world and the fact that regulation should meet the
European Euro codes, it soon became a joint project of European researchers. We
organized two seminars, to discuss the progress in rapid load testing and the need
for regulation. These seminars, originally intended for Europe only, were also attended
by researchers from Japan and the USA. Following these meetings, all partners
agreed to write a contribution presenting an overview of their research, the core results
and the implications for the engineering practice.
This book contains the expert contributions by worldwide leading researchers. The effects of various factors are investigated, such as the influence of the loading rate, pore water pressure and the test’s reliability under field conditions. We have authored general information on rapid load testing and results of field tests and centrifuge
testing to complete the contents. The book presents an accurate description of the
execution of the rapid load test.
Paul Hölscher
Frits van Tol
Download
http://s18.alxa.net/s18/srvs2/02/001...g.on.Piles.rar