PILE LOAD CAPACITY: ESTIMATES AND TEST RESULTS

The Michigan Pile Study (1961-1965) included a series of field loading tests on both bearing and friction piles in addition to the main investigation of pile driving hammers. A comparison was made between the measured capacity and that estimated from dynamic pile driving formulas and from soil test data from borings and laboratory tests. The objective was to determine the accuracy and reliability of these two methods of predicting supporting capacity for design. It was concluded that soil test data obtained from borings and laboratory tests following standardized procedures gave the more reliable basis for predicting design capacity. A comparison between measured capacity and predictions from soil test data was considered quite satisfactory in this investigation. Predictions from representative pile driving formulas varied widely but offered much opportunity for improvement. It was concluded that dynamic pile formulas will always be useful in controlling driving and in predicting capacity where soil test data are not available.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Housel, W S
• Publication Date: 1966-7

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 1-30
• Serial:
  • Journal of Soil Mechanics & Foundations Div
  • Issue Number: SM4

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bearing piles; Design capacity; Elastic limit; Field tests; Friction piles; Laboratory tests; Shear stress; Soil mechanics
• Old TRIS Terms: Pile bearing capacities
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00095880
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: ASCE #4861 Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 10 1975 12:00AM