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Learn about the different types of Load Tests on Piles

The pile load methods are the essential processes which help to assess the load-bearing capacity of the piles as well as help to assess the performance of the elements of the deep foundations. The pile load test helps to provide valuable insight into the pile behaviour under different load conditions.

The pile load test also helps the engineers to validate the design assumptions and optimise the design of the foundation. The pile load test methods have been carried out for 28 days.

Importance of conducting different types of load tests on piles

The pile load test methods help to achieve several outcomes, which are:

Enhancing the load-bearing capacity

The pile load testing process helps verify the strength of the pile and also determines the higher design capacity. Most of the pile design codes help to allow for reduced safety factors on the capacity of the piles.

Verifying the geotechnical assumptions

The pile load testing methods have also been adopted for the site-specific geotechnical investigation. This site-specification investigation process includes the installation of the standpipes, which help to determine the water table levels. The site-specific investigation also includes the sampling process of the soil, and the test pits help to investigate the soil conditions and the depth of the foundation.

Verifying the site workmanship

The pile load testing processes have also been adopted to overcome the lack of site visibility. The proof testing process and the integrity testing of the piles have been conducted to ensure that the piles have been constructed and meet the specific requirements.

Discuss the different types of pile testing

There are different types of pile test methods that have been conducted, which are as follows:

Dynamic Load Test

The dynamic load test on the piles helps to ensure that the piles meet the structural and geotechnical criteria, which helps to secure the foundation of the construction structure. The dynamic load test has been performed to estimate the pile’s geotechnical capacity. These types of pile testing processes also help to select the appropriate type of pile, which is capable of resisting the driving strains and also helps to prevent the unnecessary lengthening of the piles.

Static Load Test

These types of pile testing have been conducted to evaluate the load-bearing capacity of the pile. In these types of pile load test methods, a minimum load during the test has been set at 1.5 times the working loads. This helps to emphasise the importance of the working load identification of the pile.

Pile Integrity Test

The pile integrity tests have been performed to detect structural defects during the installation procedure of the pile. This test also helps to assess the continuity and consistency of the materials of the pile, the length of the pile and the cross-sectional area of the pile. In addition, this test also helps to utilise the low-strain and ultrasonic methods. This test also helps to evaluate the discontinuity within the pile.

Lateral Load Tests

In these types of pile testing, the jack has been placed horizontally between two piles, and the load increment has been applied. In this context, the displacement of the piles has been monitored. The safe load of the pile has been estimated on the basis of the final load at the specific load displacement.

Pull Out Tests

These types of pile testing methods help to provide the uplift force to the piles. In this context, the load increment and the load displacement follow the vertical load tests. In these types of pile testing, the safe load has been determined by considering the total displacement of the load to a specified permissible lift.

Initial Load Tests

These types of pile load tests have been performed to validate the design load calculations. Thus, this load helps to establish the acceptance criteria for the routine tests, as well as, this helps to determining the suitability of the piling system.

Routine Load Tests

This type of pile testing has been performed on the basis of the required number of piles, which does not exceed ½ % of the total number. The test number has been increased on the basis of the nature of the construction structure. This test helps to ensure the safe load capacity of the piles.

Vertical Load Tests

In these types of pile load testing methods, the pile head has been prepared, and a bearing plate has been placed to provide support to the jack. In this case, the load application has been specified on the basis of the type of the test and the test load, which has been maintained for 24 hours.