Interpretation of rapid pile load testing

Abstract

Nowadays, the rapid pile load testing has been used frequently by geotechnical engineers in the world. Comparing to static load testing, the rapid method is quicker and more efficient. However suitable techniques shall be used for obtaining load-displacement curves from rapid load test results. Among methods in literatures, the Unloading Point method can be considered as the simplest and most common. It performs well in sandy soil, but over-predicts the capacity of piles in clayey soils. Therefore, a new technique which performs well in both of sandy and clayey grounds is proposed in this study. Moreover, the existing dynamic pile load test is modified to approximately meet the requirements of rapid test on driven piles. The modification and illustration of rapid tests on driven piles are carried out by GRLWEAP 2010.