Engineering manual No.

13

Updated: 01/2020

Analysis of vertical load-bearing capacity of a single pile

Program: Pile

File: Demo_manual_13.gpi

The objective of this engineering manual is to explain how to use the GEO 5 – PILES program for the
analysis of a vertical load-bearing capacity of a single pile in a specified practical problem.

Problem specification
A general specification of the problem was given in the previous chapter (12. Pile foundations –
Introduction). All analyses of the vertical load-bearing capacity of a single pile shall be carried out in
compliance with EN 1997-1 (Design approach 2). The resultant of the loading components
N 1 , M y ,1 , H x ,1 acts at the pile head.

Problem specification schema – single pile

Solution
We will use the GEO 5 – PILES program to analyze the problem. In the text below, we will describe
the solution to this problem step by step.

In this analysis, we will assess a single pile using various analytical calculation methods (NAVFAC
DM 7.2, EFFECTIVE STRESS and CSN 73 1002) and focus on the input parameters, which influence the
overall results.

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 Specification input
First of all, click on the “select settings” button (on the bottom of the screen) in the “Settings” frame
and then select option no. 4 - “Standard – EN 1997 – DA2” analysis setting. Further, we set the method
of the analysis of a vertical load-bearing capacity of a pile using the analytical solution. In our case, we
will assess the pile in drained conditions.

“Setting list” Dialog window

For the initial assessment of the pile, we will use the NAVFAC DM 7.2 method, which is the default
one for this analysis setting (see the figure below).

We will not analyze horizontal bearing capacity in this task, so we check the “Do not calculate
horizontal bearing capacity” option.

“Settings“ Frame

Next, go to the “Profile” frame, where we’ll add a new interface at 6,0 m.

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 “Profile” Frame – add a new interface

Then, we will go to the “Soils” frame, where we define the parameters of soils required for the
analysis and assign them to the profile. The NAVFAC DM 7.2 method requires that the soil type
is defined first, i.e., whether it is a cohesive or cohesionless soil layer. All the parameters listed below
influence the magnitude of skin friction Rs kN .

Angle of Cohesion Bearing

Soil Unit weight Adhesion
internal of soil capacity
factor
 kN m 3 
friction coefficient
(Soil classification)
 ef  c ef / cu kPa  −  p − 

CS – Sandy clay,
18,5 24,5 - / 50 0,60 0,30
firm consistency

S-F – Sand with trace of

17,5 29,5 0/- - 0,45
fines, medium dense soil

Table with the soil parameters – Vertical bearing capacity (analytical solution)

For the 1st layer, which is considered as a undrained cohesive soil (class F4, firm consistency), we
must, in addition, specify the total soil cohesion (undrained shear strength) cu kPa and the so-called
adhesion factor  −. This factor is determined relative to the soil consistency, pile material and total
soil cohesion (for more details visit the program help – F1).

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 “Add new soils“ Dialog window – soil CS

For the 2nd layer, which is considered a cohesionless soil (class S3, medium dense), we must, in
addition, specify the angle of skin friction   , which depends on the pile material. Furthermore, we
must define the coefficient of lateral stress K − , which is affected by the type of loading (tension –
pressure) and by the pile installation technology (for more details visit the program help – F1). To
simplify the problem, we will select the option “calculate“ for both variants.

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 “Add new soils“ Dialog window – soil S-F

Then, assign the soils to the profile in the “Assign” frame.

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 “Assign” Frame – assigning soils to profile

Next, we will define the load acting on the pile in the “Load” frame. The design (calculation) loading
is considered in the calculation of the vertical load-bearing capacity of the pile, while the service load
is considered in the calculation of settlement. Therefore, we will add a new design load as shown in
the figure below.

“New load“ Dialogue window

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 In the “Geometry” frame, we will specify the circular cross-section of the pile and further determine
its basic dimensions, i.e., its diameter and length. Then, we will define the type of pile installation
technology.

“Geometry“ frame

In the “Material” frame, we will specify the material characteristics of the pile – the unit weight of
the structure  = 23 .0 kN m 3 .

“Material“ frame

We will not change anything in the “GWT + subsoil“ frame. In the “Stage settings” frame, we will
leave the permanent design situation set and then continue to the assessment of the pile using the
“Vertical capacity” frame.

Analysis of vertical load-bearing capacity of a single pile – NAVFAC DM 7.2 analysis method
In the “Vertical capacity” frame, we must firstly specify the calculation parameters affecting the
magnitude of the pile base bearing capacity Rb kN . First, we will define the critical depth k dc −
analysis coefficient, which is derived from the so-called critical depth depending on the soil density
(for more details, visit the program help – F1). We will consider this coefficient as k dc = 1,0 .

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 Another important parameter is the coefficient of bearing capacity N q −  , which is determined
by the soil internal friction angle  ef  relative to the pile installation technology (for more details
visit the program help – F1). In this case, we will consider N q = 10 .0 .

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 “Vertical capacity” frame – assessment according to NAVFAC DM 7.2“

The design vertical bearing capacity of a centrally loaded pile Rc kN consists of the sum of the
skin friction Rs and the resistance on the pile base Rb . To meet the condition for reliability, its value
must be higher than the magnitude of the design load Vd kN  acting on the pile head.

− NAVFAC DM 7.2: Rc = 2219 .06 kN  Vd = 1450 .0 kN SATISFACTORY

Analysis of vertical load-bearing capacity of a single pile – EFFECTIVE STRESS analysis method
Now we will get back to the input settings and carry out the analysis of the vertical bearing capacity
of a single pile using other analysis methods (Effective stress and CSN 73 1002).

In the “Settings” frame, click on the “Edit” button. Then, in the “Pile” tab, select the “Effective
stress” option. The other parameters will remain unchanged.

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 “Edit current settings“ Dialog window

Then, we will proceed to the “Soils” frame. This analysis method requires that we additionally
define the coefficient of pile bearing capacity  p −  , which affects the magnitude of skin friction
Rs kN . This parameter is determined by the soil internal friction angle  ef  and the soil type (for
more details, visit the program help – F1).

“Edit soil parameters“ Dialog window – soil CS

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 Dialog window “Edit soil parameters“ – soil S-F

The other frames remain unchanged. Now we will get back to the “Vertical capacity” frame. For the
Effective Stress method, we must first specify the value of the coefficient of bearing capacity N p − 
, which significantly affects the pile base bearing capacity Rb kN . This parameter is determined by
the soil internal friction angle  ef  and the soil type (for more details, visit the program help – F1).

The significant influence of this parameter on the result is demonstrated by the following table:

− for N p = 10 (pile base in clayey soil): Rb = 1542 .24 kN ,

− for N p = 30 (pile base in sandy soil): Rb = 4626 .71 kN ,

− for N p = 60 (pile base in gravelly soil): Rb = 9253 .42 kN .

In our problem, we consider the coefficient of bearing capacity N p = 30 (the pile base in sandy
soil). The guidance values of N p can be found in the program help – for more details, visit F1.

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 y

“Vertical capacity frame – assessment according to the Effective Stress method”

− EFFECTIVE STRESS: Rc = 6172 .8 kN  Vd = 1450 .0 kN SATISFACTORY

Analysis of vertical load-bearing capacity of a single pile – CSN 73 1002 analysis method
Now we will get back to the “Settings” frame, where we will change the analysis method for drained
conditions by clicking the “Edit” button and changing the analysis method to “CSN 73 1002“. All the
other input parameters will remain unchanged.

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 “Edit current settings“ Dialog Window

Note: The analysis procedure is presented in the publication “Pile foundations – Comments on CSN
73 1002“ (Chapter 3: Designing, part B – General solution according to group 1 of the limit states
theory, page 15). All program procedures are based on the relationships contained in this text, with the
exception of calculation coefficients, which depend on the assessment methodology adopted (for more
details, visit the program help - F1).

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 Now we will go back to the “Soils” frame, where it is necessary to define effective soil parameters
for each soil.

“Edit soil parameters“ Dialog window – soil CS

“Edit soil parameters“ Dialog window – soil S-F

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 Subsequently, we will re-assess the pile in the “Vertical capacity” frame. We will leave the
coefficient of technological influence equal to 1.0 (the analysis of the vertical load-bearing capacity of
a pile without the reduction due to installation technology).

“Vertical capacity – assessment according to CSN 73 1002“ frame

− CSN 73 1002: Rc = 5776 .18 kN  Vd = 1450 .0 kN SATISFACTORY

Vertical load-bearing capacity of a single pile analysis results

The values of the total vertical bearing capacity Rc of a pile differ depending on the analysis
methods used and the input parameters assumed by these methods:

NAVFAC DM 7.2: adhesion factor  −,

pile skin friction angle   ,

coefficient of lateral soil stress K − ,

critical depth analysis coefficient k dc − ,

coefficient of bearing capacity N q −  .

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EFFECTIVE STRESS: coefficient of pile bearing capacity  p −  ,

coefficient of bearing capacity N p − .

CSN 73 1002: soil cohesion c ef kPa ,

soil internal friction angle  ef  .

The results of the analysis of the vertical bearing capacity of a single pile in drained conditions
relative to the analysis method used are presented in the following table:

EN 1997-1, DA2 Pile skin bearing Pile base bearing Vertical bearing
capacity capacity capacity
(drained conditions)

Analysis method
Rs kN Rb kN Rc kN

NAVFAC DM 7.2 676.82 1542.24 2219.06

EFECTIVE STRESS 1546.09 4626.71 6172.80

CSN 73 1002 1712.58 4063.60 5776.18

Summary of results – Vertical bearing capacity of a pile in drained conditions

The total vertical bearing capacity of a centrally loaded single pile Rc is higher than the value
of the design load Vd acting on it. The fundamental reliability condition for the ultimate limit state is
met; the pile design is therefore satisfactory.

Conclusion
It follows from the analysis results that the total vertical bearing capacity of a pile differs in
each calculation. This fact is caused both by the different input parameters and by the chosen analysis
method.

The assessment of piles mostly depends on the chosen analysis method and the input parameters
describing the soil. Designers should always use calculation procedures for which they have the
required soil parameters available, for example, values resulting from the results of geological surveys
or values that reflect local practices.

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 It is certainly improper to assess a pile using all analysis methods contained in the program and
choose the best or the worst results.

For the Czech and Slovak Republic, the GEO 5 software authors recommend calculating the vertical
load-bearing capacity of a single pile using the following two methods:

− An analysis taking into consideration the value of the allowable settlement slim = 25 mm (the
procedure, according to Masopust, which is based on the solution of regression curves
equations).

− An analysis, according to CSN 73 1002. The pile analysis procedure remains identical with that
contained in CSN, but the loading and calculation coefficients reducing the soil parameters or
the pile resistance are specified according to EN 1997-1. This analysis therefore fully complies
with EN 1997-1.

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