OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE PAPER

6200 North Central Expressway :NUMBER OTe 1894

Dallas., Texas 75206 -
THIS IS A PREPRINT --- SUBJECT TO CORRECTION

Techniques and Results of Offshore P Ie

Load Test i ng InCa Icareous So i Is

By

James Angemeer, Dames & Moore, Emery Carlson, Esso Australia, Ltd., and
James H. Klick, Dames & Moore
© Copyright 1973
American Institnte of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, Inc.
Offshore Technology Conference on behalf of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and
Petroleum Engineers, Inc., American Association of Petroleum Geologists, American Institute of
Chemical Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers,
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., Marine Technology Society, Society of
Exploration Geophysicists, and Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers.

This paper was prepared for presentation at the Fifth Annual Offshore Technology Conference
held in Houston, Tex., April 29-May 2, 1973. Permission to copy is restricted to an abstract of
not more than 300 words. Illustrations may not be copied. Such use of an abstract should con-
tainconspicuous acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper is presented.

ABSTRACT tests were:

Calcareous soils are widespread 1. Side friction for steel piles can be very
throughout the world. Their engineering proper- low and appeared to be uniform. over the
ties are uni~ue, but published information has embedded length of the piles.
been almost nonexistent. To study the~behav­ 2. The ultimate unit end bearing measured for
ioral characteristics of long deep foundation deeply embedded pipe piles in the calcareous
piles in calcareous soils, a major pile load soil was independent of depth and was lower
testing program was undertaken by ESSO Austral- than would be expected for piles tipped in
ia, Ltd. The tests were made from platforms <luartz type sands.
located in the Bass Strait off the southeast 3. Special installation techni~ues werere-
coast o£ Australia. They resulted in comprehen- ~uired to achieve satisfactory bonding
sive data for eValuating existing and future between neat cement and soil for piles in-
support systems. While the tests were directed stalled in predrilled holes.
primarily at the frictional capacity of driven 4. Field loading tests appear to be the onJy
open-ended pipe piles, they included several reliable indicator of supporting capacity,
tests to measure unit end bearing, a few for although there are some unconventional
total capacity (friction plus end bearing), and parameters which are helpful.
two tests to measure the adhesional bond of
piles grouted into predrilled holes. There-
suIts of one series of seventeen tests, which INTRODUCTION -
included all of the above types of load tests,
are reported. In the marine areas of the world, car-
bonate provinces in which calcareous material is
It was found that calcareous sands be- formed and deposited are commonly recognized.
have <luite differently from tl<luartz type tl sands, Typical of these areas are the Caribbean, Baha-
and pile capacity predictions based on conven=- mas, Persian Gulf, and Offshore Australia. l ,2,3
tional theory and iiillitingdesign values for co- Until- the late 1960' s, the engineering proper-
hesionless soils can result in unconservative ties of these calcareous sediments were of minor
designs. Some results of the field loading concern; however, this is rapidly undergoing
change with recent offshore developments.
References and illustrations at end of paper.
II-678 TECHNIQUES AND RESULTS OF OFFSHORE PILE LOAD TESTING IN CALCAREOUS SOILS OTC 1894

Oil exploration has progressed into grouted into predrilled holes. The tests were
deepwater where coarse-grained continentally performed prior to beginning well drilling oper-
derived sediment does not predominate. Thus, ations on the platform.
the foundation experience gained in near-shore
environments consisting of coarse, relativeJ.Y- The series included:
hard minerals such as quartz is not directly-
applicable. Further compounding the situation 1. Eight tests to measure side friction be-
is the fact that areas are being developea where tween the pile and soil;
very little prior engineering experience of any 2. Five tests to measure the ultimate unit end
kind exists. With the thrust of engineering de- bearing of soil below the pile tips;
sign into these new conditions by oil explora- 3. Two tests for total pile capacity (friction
tion and development , recognition and Under- plus end bearing); and,
standing the engineering behavior of calcareous 4. Two tests on piles grouted into predrilled
sand, a significant component in this environ- holes.
ment, become very important.
The test pile installations were de-
Calcareous sand, 'an accumulation of signed to minimize test-induced variables as a
sand sized pieces of carbonate materials, is de- result of setups. For side friction tests, soil
rived i'rom reworked shell fragments and skeletal plugs were removed to eliminate the dead weight
debris of minute sea life. The individual grain (of soil inside the driven, open-ended piles)
hardness (Mohs Scale, Caicium Carbonate - 3 vs. and suction forces at the pile tips. The end
Quartz - 7) and texture are different from ter- bearing tests were performed on 16-inch casings
restrial, quartz-rich m~t~rials. One type_ of (With cement grout plugs installed at the tips)
textural appearance exhi1:J:i.ted by the calcareous inserted within the 20-inch conductor pipes.
sand is illustrated on Figure 1. It can readi-ly The physical conditions for each test setup are
be shown that the mineral is soft and the struc- schematically illustrated and the evaluated unit
ture collapsible. Recognizing and ident~f'ying friction and end bearing values for the driven
this material and condition early are very im- test piles are presented.
portant in foundation studies. It is not our
intent to review the extensive program that The tests to measure adhesion between
identified the peculiar properties of the mate- soil and cement grout were performed in pre-
rial; however, standard strength and identii'ica- drilled holes which were constructed with and
tiontesting did not clearly differentiate it without drillers mud (bentonite drilling fluid).
from other soils. The tests provided insight into the reduction
in capacity which can result if "mud cake" is
When the unusual properties of calcar- not completely purged from the hole. The test
eous sands were recognized, and the apparent results are discussed and guidelines for instal-
discrepancies in some load -test~ and pile driv- lation are presented.
ing data were reevaluated, it was decided that
conventional pile capacity analyses were not
appli~aQleyiththis material. Pile design, it PLATFORM AND TEST EQUIPMENT
was determined;-would -have to-rely-on large-
scale pile load test interpretations until a The platform on which this series of
better empirical correlation with current~prac­ load tests was conducted was a template-type
tice CQuld be developed. An extens~ve and structure in 250 feet of water. It was typical
thorough large-scale load test program was per~ of other platforms in the Bass Strait. An ele-
formed in the area of the Bass Strait located vation profile of the structure and conductors
off southeastern Australia, Figure 2. One se- on which the tests were perfQrmed is shown on
ries of seventeen tests, inclUding end bearing Figure 3.
and friction evaluations in both tension and
compression, is reported. _ These and other pro- The tests were performed on or inside
grams provided sufficient data to facilitate the of 20-inch-diameter steel conductor pipe~, driv-
sound foundation engineering design decisions en to predetermined depths below the mudline.
required. The reaction frame for the tests was a pair of
pref'abricated I-beams which spanned between the
skid beams supporting the platform rig. The
LOAD TEST PROGRAM I-beams were fabricated so that all i'astenings
were with high strength steel bolts, simplif'ying
The seventeen large-scale pile load the setup and movement of the frame. They were
tests performed were part of a program of study designed so that the beams could be centered
of calcareous soils sponsored by ESSO Australia, over any conductor. The positioned frame along-
Ltd. The tests were designed to measure the in- side the platform rig is illustrated on Figure
situ friction and end bearing capacities of long 4. The accompanying pictures illustrate the
driven pipe piles and the adhesional bondbe-- jack reaction supports, positioned jacks and
tween neat cement grout and soils for piles overall setup for th~_tests. The setup was
OTC 1894 J. ANGEMEER, E. CARLSON and J. H. KLICK II-679
shielded with a tarp for night work and weather ing loads. While this method of load measure-
protection. ment was primarily for backup and checking pur-
poses, it was found to be more accurate than
Performing load tests on a platform the pressure gauges for monitoring rapidly ap-
presented several unique problems: plied loads and rebound loads. In the former,
gauge-lag prevented accurate pressure readings
L Estimating pile deflections at the mudline while the pump was running; in the latter, an
(test loads are.applied at a height of 330 unexplained condition in the pressure system
feet above that level); produced high gauge readings during rebound.
2. Measuring deflections of pile tips (the
test piles.werEl_250 feet ± in length); and, Summary of Measurements
3. Providing backu]? systems for both load
measurements and deflections. The emphasis on all measurements was
to pro~de alternative duplicating data in the
The measurements made during these tests are event of the failure of a primary system or an
shown schematically on Figure 5 and are de- operator error in recording information. This
scribed in subsequent discussion. The dial in- was considered necessary to minimize the possi-
dicator arrangements for the measurements and bility of errors in the data. Checks were pos-
the hydraulic load conSole equipment are illus- sible on operator recording accuracy and equip-
trated on Figure 6. The numbers on the dial ment performance. Spares were available for
indicators refer to measurements described on all critical parts; e.g., dial indicators,
Figure 5. - pressure gauges, and a high pressure hydraulic
pump for the console.
Estimating Deflections

Deflections of the pile at the mud- SOIL CONDITIONS

line and at other points were computed using
the elastic properties of steel. This required The subsurface conditions at the
careful recording of thelei-J.gth and wah thick- platform site were investigated by drilling one
ness of all pile sections. Pipe sections were boring to over 500 feet below the mudline.
logged as they wereyelded together during the Laboratory tests were performed on undisturbed
installation process. samples of the soils. The boring log and test
data are presented on Figure 7. The soils were
Measuring Tip Deflections generally sandy in appearance for the full
depth penetrated by the boring. Below the
The tip deflections of end bearing depth of 150 feet the materials graded finer
test piles were measured with a "telli:;~le II Which grained and somewhat less dense. The quartz
rested on either a soil or grout plug· iris ide -the content of soils was very low (less than 5 per-
pile. This device consisted of a two-inch-diam- cent) for the samples tested, and soil densi-
eter heavy-duty drill rod. The 55G-foct-long ties were compatible with most other sites in-
(±) "telltale" detected deflections of only a vestigated in the Bass Strait.
few thousandths of an inch during both compres-
sion and rebound phases of the test. These The testing of soil samples included
measurements provided direct c9mparisons wit~ . quartz determinations, rod tests, rod and grout
computed elastic deflections of the steel test- tests, and petrographic examinations. The
pile. In general, they were in good agr~eemellt . quartz contents shown on the boring log are the
(within 5 percent). result of either paleontological determinations
or acid reaction tests. The acid reaction test
Test Loads is the percentage of a soil (by dry weight)
which does not react with hydrochloric acid.
The test loads were applied with fQur This percentage may include other minerals
ISO-ton hydraulic jacks. The jack positions for which do not react with acid; however, they
tension and compression tests are illustrated on were lumped under the heading of "quartz II • The
Figures 4 and 6 respectively. Hydraulicpres- rod, and rod and grout tests are miniature
sures were measured with two 6000 psi gauges, model pile load tests performed in triaxial
one as a backup in the event the other failed. compression testing apparatus. Rod resistance
The jacks and load console were Calibrated in a to penetration, soil-steel friction, and soil-
testing laboratory prior to the test work. grout adhesion were measured. The tests have
been a helpful guide to extrapolating load test
Test loads were also monitored with data to other sites; however, the data are not
extensometers which measured the strain between reported here.
two fixed points on the test pile. The lengths
of extensometersvar..ied from 15 ·up to 55 feet Grain-size tests were performed dur~
for some tests. The loads computed from the ing initial investigations at platform sites in
extensometers were then compared with the jack- the Bass Strait. These tests were discontinued
since the results csm be influenced by the siev- formed for each test. For friction tests, each
ing process breaking down particle aggregations. cycle of loading after initial failure resulted
General descriptions of coarse, medium or f“ine in a decrease in frictional capacity; unit val-
a,reconsidered adequate for describing the ma- ues of under 100 pounds per square foot were
teris.ls. measured for the third and fourth loading cy-
cles on some test piles. The end bearing tests
TEST PROCEDURES did not disclose this tendency; the results
were more similar to tests in quartz-rich co-
The test procedures used in this se- hesionless soils.
ries of load tests combined both incremental
load application (stress control) and constant Compression and Tension Tests on the Same Pile
—–—-
rate of deflection (strain control) techniques
during the initial failure loading cycle. Each This method was used on conductors
method has certain advantages and was used to tested for total capacity (Tests 13A and 15) to
obtain the maximum data. aid in evaluating the individual contributions
of friction and end bearing. The total pile
~ capacity was measured by a compression test
(which included end bearing and friction) and
Incremental load tests are the stan- the frictional capacity by tension tests. The
dard method of load application for pile load tests were performed by using two jacking bon-
tests, emd ave considerable precedent and wide nets, one positioned for compression and the
acceptance.E _The limita~ions with the method other for a tension test. The direction of
for large-scale tests were: load application was alternated by moving the
jacks.
1. Loading a pile to failure can take a day
or more where increments must be held Cyclic Testing
until deflections reach 0.001 feet per
hour, or for 2 hours (ASTM criteria). Cyclic tests were performed to evalu-
2. At failure, the pile often deflects ate possible repetitive loading effects on.pile
rapidly and any reduction in capacity capacity as a result of wave loadings. The
after yielding is difficult to measure. test cycle period used was 30 seconds rather
3. The gradual loading bears little resem- than the actual wave period of about 7 seconds.
blance to the dynamic type of loads A more rapid cycling was not possible with the
platfoym .fo~dations_ must resist. capacity of the hydraulic pump in the loading
console. In spite of the limitations, the
The procedure was used for the initial cycle of tests provided insight into the effects on pile
loading up to the_y>el_@_ngyoint of the test capacity flromrepetitive loadings. The tests
pile. Thereafter, constant rate of deflection did not indicate a decrease in capacity with
techniques were used for control in th”eulti- repetitive cycling; however, the results were
mate strength range. _ not conclusive.

Constant Rate of Deflection Testing

RESULTS OF FRICTION MID END BEARING TESTS
Constant rate of deflection methods
of testing are a more recent innovation for Summaries of the conditions and re-
pileload testing (within the last ten to fif- sults of the friction and end beaxing load
teen years) , and have attained moderate accep- tests are presented on Figures 8 through Il.
tance.5 The execution of this test technique There is some data scatter which we attribute
requires powered hydraulic loading console to the following factors:
equipment__andexperienced operators to achieve
a uniform rate of defection during the load 1. Slight differences in the methods of.per-
test. This method is a natural extehsion of a forming tests -- this is considered to.be
laboratory technique to the field situation. very minor.
The test is performed by deflecting the test 2. Distance and time between tests -- this
pile at a predete~ined rate (0.05 inches per appears only to apply to friction tests,
minute for these tests), while measuring the notably Tests 4 and 7 which were per-
corresponding load required to produce t>.?t. formed two days after Tests 3 and 6, re-
deflection. When failure occurred, these pro- spectively.
cedures were used to define stress-deflection 3. Variations in soil strength over rela-
relationships in the ultimate range (Figures 9 tively small horizontal and vertical dis-
and 11). tances -- this is particularly true for
the end bearing tests.
Test Cycles — 4. For end bearing tests, densification below
the tips of casings is also a factor; the
Several cycles of loading were ler- estimated end conditions are indicated in
OTC 1894 -J. ANGEMEER,._ E. CARLSON and J. H. KLICK 11-681
.

the tabulation on Figure 11. diameter foundation piles.

I[t is believed that of the above, variations in

ssoils strengths had the greatest influence on RESULTS OF DRILLED AND GROUTED
tthe test results, particularly the end bearing- PILE I.OADTESTS
ttests.
The load tests performed on drilled
and grouted piles were tension tests on piles
CONCLUSIONS REGARDING FRICTION AND installed in predrilled holes. The holes were
END BEARING LOAD TESTS constructed with and without drillers mud. The
purposes of the tests were to measure soil-
~Zeneral . ...— grout bonds, to evaluate the effects of dril-
ling fluid on pile capacity, and to perfect
We believe the following conclusions construction techniques for their installation.
nnay be drawn from the friction and end bearing
ttest results: The first test was performed on a
conventionally installed drilled and grouted
1.
1 All tests appeared to be representative pile. Drillers mud was used to maintain the
and valid. Deflection characteristics predrilled hole in the cohesionless material.
of piles were satisfactory and extensom- The following steps outline the test pile in-
eter data confirmed jacking loads. stallation:
2.
: The evaluated unit capacities represent
the best estimates available for the 1. Predrill hole below the conductor casing
static friction and end bearing tests. with drillers mud, and caliper (measure
3. Cyclic loading tests, performed following diameter) the hole.
Tests 5 and 14, did not indicate that 2. Insert a 16-inch casing into the pre-
repetitive loadings would significantly drilled hole.
change unit skin friction or end bearing 3. Purge the drillers mud &rom between the
values. test casing ad. predrilled hole with salt
water, and, in a continuous operation,
:Friction Tests grout in the test casing with neat cement
slurry.
The following conclusions apply speci- 4. Control the grout quantity to a predeter-
fically to friction tests (Figure 9):
~ mined volume to achieve a desired length
of grouted section for the test pile (the.
1. Based on the test data for 150 to 270-foot volume of cement needed was computed from
test pile embedments, it appears that an the caliper data).
assumption of uniform friction from near Allow the grout to set up.
the mudline to the pile tips is valid. 2: Perform the load test.
2. Friction decreases rapidly with deflection
following the initia~ yielding (ultimate All stages of the installation were
range ). carefully monitored and all objectives were
3. Losses in skin friction causedby yielding achieved. However, the load test measured a
are believed *O be temporary and primarily unit resistance between grout and soil of only
a sensitivity phenomenon. 200 pounds per square foot. This very low
unit value was attributed to “mud cake” from
End Bearing Tests
J the drilling fluid, which was not purged from .
the hole.
The following conclusions apply speci-
fically to end bearing tests (Figure ~):. ._ The second test installation did not
use drillers mud, eliminating that uncertainty
1. Even after significant tip deflection, from the installation. The following proce-
resistance increased with continued de- dure was used to install the test pile:
flection.
a. The increase was on the order of 1. Pretiill to below the conductor casing
15 KSF per inch of deflection in to a desired tip elevation with salt
the failure condition. water as the drilling fluid.
b. The increase was somewhat less 2. Switch directly from the salt water to
where tests included rapid deflec- cement grout without stopping circula-
tion or dynamic cycling: i.e., tion.
Tests 5, 13A and 15. 3. The drill pipe (test pile) and drill.
2. It is believed that there is a size factor tools are cemented into the hole and
involved in the end bearing resistance of become a permanent part of the instal-
piling; scale effects_msy be considered lation.
when applying the test data to large 4. The length of the grouted section was
11-682 TEC~IQUES AND RESULTS OF OFFSHORE PILE LOAD TESTING IN CALCAREOUS SOILS OTC 1894

controlled by”the use of a-ball-seating suMMARY

sub with a shear-out plate (this appara-
tus allowed all of the excess grout above Pile load testing is the basic tool
the shear-out plate to be washed out, for developing pile capacity data. It requires
positively fixing the_l_engthof the the commitment, understanding> and foresight of
grouted section). an owner to provide the lead time required to
Allow the grout to set up. perform the tests, analyze the data, and incor-
2: Perform the load test. porate the results into designs. The engineer-
ing team must be innovative and understanding
The maximum unit bond stress was not of offshore design and construction problems.
recorded because failure was not achieved wi%h They should have the prerogative to modify the
the 800 plus kips of uplift load possible with progrsms and test methods to obtain the maximum
the test equipment. ..~e_ninimum agdmqximum data. Back-up systems should be utilized diu?-
unit bond stresses evaluated from the installa- ing all phases of the testing as a means of as-
tion and the maximum test load were 1500 and suring data acquisition, as well as for cross-
2000 pounds -jersquare Toot; respectively. It checking purposes. In general, a prelim@ary
appears that bond stresses of over 200_0pounds analysis of each test should be performed in
per square foot may be pos.sible..withthis type the field prior to proceeding with the next
of installation. test.

The results of these tests and other

CONCLUSIONS REGARDING programs have added significant information on
DRILLED AND GROUTED TESTS the engineering properties and behavior of cal-
careous soils. Frictional capacities may be
Based on the results of these tests as low as one-tenth of those normally used in
and laboratory experiments, it seems clear that conventional design in cohesionless soils. At
drilling fluids which might leave residual de- present the important soil parameters that con-
posits should be avoided. For the best results, tribute to pile capacity in calcareous soils
water followed directly by ceme~t grout should have not been fully determined. Field load
be used. The following principles should be tests have been the primary bssis for deter-
considered in any similar installations: mining pile supporting capacity to date.

1. Maintain adequate fluid pressures on the

formation during drilling operations and REFERENCES
any interim period between drilling and
grouting. 1. Jennings, J.N., 1959. The Coastal Geo-
2. Intimate contact should be achieved be- morphology of King Island, Bass Strait,
tween the grout and__u@i~tgrbed soils in Relation to Changes in the Relative
below the pile tip if.end bearing is tO _ Level of Land and Sea; Queen.Victoria
be considered in the total evaluation Museum, Launceston, No. 11, pg. 39.
of pile support.
3. Bentonite and other drilling fluids 2. MacKenzie, F.T., 196L. Geometry of
leaving residual mud cakes should be Bermuda Calcareous Dune Cross Bedding;
avoided. Science, vol. 144, No. 3625, pg. 1449-50.
4. The time between drilling and grout
placement should be minimized. 3. Friedman, G.M., 1964. Early Diagnosis
5. Test pile installations should attempt and Lithificakion in Carbonate Sediments;
to duplicate as closely as possible all Journsl of Sedimentary l?etrolo~ , vol. 34,
features of a proposed installation pg. 777-813.
scheme for structural pile installations:
a. Scale effects; 4. ASTM Designation: D 1143-69. Standard
b. Fluid pressures on the formation; Method of Testing for Load Settlement Re- .
c. Method of g_out placement; and, lationship for.Individual Vertical Piles
d. Time delays between drilling and Under Static Axial Load.
grouting.
5. Whita.ker, T. andW. Cook, 1961. A New
Approach to Pile Testing; Fifth Inter-
national Conference on Soil Mechanics
and Foundation Engineering, Paris, Vol.
II, pg. 171.
 60X MAG.

SAMPIJ3NO. 5 DEFTH BELOW MUDLINE 22+’

60X MAG.

SAMPLE NO. 46B DEPTH BELOW MUDLINE 214+’

Fig. 1 - Petrographic thin sections of

calcareous soil.
 VICTORIA
I

w s s. w,,.
!h.1 s .7..< w.

BASS STRAIT
I
I.TUNA
,+NgPER –+iais38vo’lp” “
mlnu
W* ,,. lat. s.3’s”10;50: ly$;~y;;’:$
“v It w-
i ~&&t%%l_ - +&IN ‘A’

ht.s. 3.s”
13s
55”
ilong. E. 14& 13’09”
Water O@pth 192’

-“”=-i-k
w. s. We’<m”,,
~’~;,. I r&
dOER n
39:18’!
,!46 213
W!h 36

-“+%%%;;::?
Water Depth 238’
I
MACKEREL
—. .—
lat. s 33:2s’ 57:
~%%%w

II
;2;;+” -far:;..::,.,,
long . E. IIS” II ‘ 20”
bter Oepth 253’ Water Oepth 255’

M (A. G.0.l
0 CUC4NATES ARE CiASEO U4 PJJSTRALIAN GEOOSTIC D

PROJECTION MERCATOR

SITE LOCATIONS+

LOCATION MAP

Fig. 2 - Vicinity map.

 TEST NUMBER ~
LoCACATION WHERE
PERFORMED

‘. -
-. :
-..
-.. . :
1
->
HAIII D~CK ELEVATION 72’1 !. I
+30-

CELLF.R DECK @ EL +53

+40 -

0.
I

-40

-80

-120

F -160
2
s

g
-200
G
Y
. !55
; -240

~
>----
3
.
-280

-320

-360

-400

-440

-480
-—
-—
-520

Fig. 3 - Elevation of platform and plan view of

conductor locations where tests were performed.
 t P=TEST LOAD
t ACKING POINT - TENSION OR
COMPRESS 10IN

I MAIN REFERENCE BEA

LLTALE I _—
---- @

MAIN OECI
+72 AS ING REFERENCESUPPORT ‘-L TRIPOO & LEVEL

CELLAR DECI
+53 4
tiAR DECK)

TEST BEAMS LOCATED AT NORTH END k-- EXTENSOMETER SUPpoRT

OF PLATFORM NEXT TO M-2 DRILL RIG SEA OECK
MEASURES MOVEMENT OF HEAD OF
MSL=O CAS 1NG RELAT IV’ TO PLATFOIRM
JACKS & DIAL GAGES
MEAsuREs ELASTIC STRETCH OF THE CASING BEWEEN
IN PLACE
THE TOP OF THE solt- PLUG & HEAD OF THE CAS INIG

MEASURES DEFLECTION OF THE TOP OF THE SOIL PLUG RELATIVE

TO THE FIXEO BASE ON THE CELLAR DECK OF THE PLATFORM
MUDLINE
-255 EXTENSOMIETER (15’ OR S51 IN LENGTH) DEVICE FOR
CHECKING THE TEST LOADS P=A& = ~
L LE

EXTERNAL LEVEL SHOTS ON DEFLECTIONS OF

HEAD OF CAS lNG. SAMIE AS @ .
TELLTAl L REST
RELAT 10NSH 1P OF MEASUREMENTS
“’’-———. @.@=@+@

~SOIL OR GROUT PLUG

SETTING JACKS UNDER BONNET Fig. 5 - Scliematic diagram of test setupandmeasurements.

>. ... .. ... .’

S!Eimlwt?##ii5
Tw’ilLlw,
‘wm-m?#w’64mf##Ym
.ma!a~-~wi - I
Fig. 4 - Loadtestsetupon platform.
 SETUP FOR TENSION TEST
(TEST 9)

SETUP FOR COMPRESSION TEST

(TEST 15)

CLOSEUP OF ABOVE

CLOSEUP OF ABOVE

Fig. 6 - Setups for compression and tension tests.

 BORING LOG

ELEVATIDN -2601 k 21 ) NSL DATUM

390 200 OdN SILTY WEDIW4 TO COARSE SAND WITH SHELLS

22 106
DS/CU
DS/CU
I .. . .“” I !-l CEMENTED LUI’PS (CALCAREOUS) ( LOOSE]

2
‘ALE O, SAFFLE
33 90*
WH!!IS” GRADING FINE TD NEDIUM SAND - LOOSE TD
WEOIUN DENSE)
GRADING TO MEDIUM DENSE)
OCCASIONAL SMALL CEWSNTEO LUhWS)

GRADI I(G GSAY MED1W! SAND WI TH A8UNDANT SHELLS,

CEPENTED, SOWE QuARTZ CONTENT)
4
sTRUCTURE BECDWESOPEN C PDRDUS)
L 33 ,.” GRADING w ITH LESS CEMENTATI ON) (COLDR TO
‘ALEO SAMPLE LIGHT BR134N)
I 31 92 %$!:%
DCCAS10NAL CEWENTED LUfF’S )
<

ND CEI’KNTAT I C# )

t ECAS ILWCALCEN-ZNTCDLLMWS)

G8AD1NG WlTH VERY HAS3 CEMEN7AT10N)

GRADING TO LIGHT GRAY F’IN;
CALCAREOUS SAND)
11
;EXTENS t VE CEMENTAT! ON)

;GRADING w I TH NO CEWENTAT10N)
~ocCASI GNAL CEIKNTED LUM?S)
1
.. ,.. ,, W,.YZ

[GRADING TO BRE14N)

x
36
’31*
89
86 Osmw.t -
,,c”,lI+-
[G~DING TO GRAY & WITH NO SHELLS)

- ~f
28 97
&l
27 9G*
. RSO & GROUT TEST
30
.
~ 98*
IGNT GRAY S I LTY CALCAREOUS SANO WITH
:: 3D*
r. BLACK SHELLS (C ENENTEO) [MED 1UM DENSE)
E ,., , ,., t ,
&Jr
I I 1
. . F
(GRADING WITH NO SHELLS)
PALEO SAMPLE
RDD & GROUT TEST

I
&-2.75 (GRADING FINER)
(cEhfNTED LUW?S c BLACK SHELL FRAGmNTS )
[GRAOING To MEDIUN TD COARSE)
2

PALEO SAMPLE (GRADING DARKER)

.
1% QUARTZ :: ::*
2 3% QUARTZ
(HARD CEMENTED LUMPI

27 90*
30 94*
(occA5!ML CEMENTED LUNPS)
34 88+
(GsADING WITH ABUNOANT SHELLS)
2% QUARTZ ~ ~:
4% QUARTZ W* (SQK LARGE SHELLS 6 CEWfNTED LUP#S)
3,
(GRADING vERY SILTY)
91* ~:
w+ :; 91* (SMALLER SHELLS ]
1 I 1 b ,
“.” , . . . b 1 I 1 I ,! .

1
500

520

I 1 I I
540 I
~ORlvIffi RESISTANCE FOR SAWLER (SEE NOTC 2)

NOTE: (1) “SANO” 1S A GENERAL OESCRIPTIVE TERM - THE MATERIAL CONSISTS

PRIMARILY OF CALCAREOUS FRAGMENTS (SHELL & SKSUTAL DEBRIS)
IN SAND SIZES.
(2) THE ORIVING RESISTANCE IS IMIICATED 8Y THE NUWLTEROF 8LOWS
TO DRIVE THE SANPLER 1 FOOT FOLLOWING THE IN ITI.4L 1 FOOT OF
PENETRATION. THS S,4NPLER WAS ORIVEN BY A 500-LB. HEIGHT FALLIXG APPROXIMATELY 30”
(3) TNE ORY DENSITY & MOISTURE CONTENTS NOTEO 8Y AN ASTERIK (*) WERE OETERNINEO
BASEO ON AN ASSUHEO SATURATIOti & SPECIFIC GRAVITY (QuICK DENSITY TESTS)
(4) THE PERCENT QUARTZ INDICATED MERE OETERMINEO BY ACIO REACTION TESTS k
NAY ll{CLUDE OTHER MINERALS TNAN QUARTZ.
(s) IN THE. ”TEST TYPE” COLUMN ;; : j:~:~fiH:flp}:;:IOH TEsT

- FRIcTION TEST
:U - CONSOLIOATEO UNORAINEO
CB - CONSOL1OATEO OkAINEO
HI - HULTIPHA$E TEST

Fig. ‘7 - Log of boring and test data.

 TEST NUMBER—+1 2 14 3 4 6 7 8
3NOUCTOR NUMBER~5 19 3 6 20 7 14 6
COMPRESS 10N TENS 10N TENS 10N TENS 10N TENSION TENS 10N TENS ION
YPE OF TEST ~TENS 10N
—+100
+loo —
t t t t

LEVATION
OAD APPLIED
WHERE
‘+80
TEST &
~
e
1:1 :1
0
+50— E-
~
g
~
~
o MSL
1

—
-50 — =
—

~
-150—

-200— =

——.—
MUDLINE
E:LEV. -255

SOIL PLUG’

\crEA~ ,UT pRloR~

/~” GRoUT’
PLUG

TO TESTING \ ~.
—-600
-600 —

‘ENETRATI Ofi BE LW~269 211 148 150 334

269 271 214
MUDLINE IN FEET

* .TEsT No.14 wAs ACTUALLY FJERFoRMED FOLLOWING TEST NO.5. IT INCLUDED A OYNAMIC LOADING TEST FOLLCWING
THE INITIAL TENSION CYCLE. THE OYNAMIC TEST INCLUDED ONE CYCLE OF 28 PERIODS (30 SECONDS TO 2 MINUTES).
THE TEST RESULTS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO FOR DETAILS.

Fig. 8 - Profile of conditions for skin friction tests.

 EVALUATED AVERAGE UNIT SKIN FRICTION IN LSS. /SQ. FT.

50 [m 150 2CQ Z&l 3ci7 3??J

NOTES:

1. DATA USED FOR EVALUATING SKIN FRICTION TESTS,

2. ALL TESTS SHW WERE STAT lc TESTS. up TO FA I LURE, LOADS WERE
GENE~LLY APPLIED. I NCRENSNTALLY, THEREAFTER, A STRAIN CONTROL
TECHNIQUE , CDWSTANT RATE DEFLECT [ ON, WAS USED TO NEASURE LOAD
CNAWGES WITH OEFLECT I oN.

~:
&
:. PENETRATkW TYPE
EXCEPT LONS ARE:
A. TESTS NO. 1 L NO.2 - INCREMENTAL ALL THE wAY.
KEY :5 $: BELOW OF 8. TEST NO. 14 - C R D TEST FROM START.
MUDLINE TEsT
z 8’ (FEET)
3. TEST NO. 14 [ NCLUDES A REDUCT10N TO MEASURED LOADS (20% OF )+4X! WUM
A SUCT [ ON FORCE) TO ACCOUNT FOR SUCTION EFFECTS OF THE SOIL PLUG.
.—. — 1 3 2.69 TENSIW

4. ALL TESTS WERE PERFDRMED DN CDNDUCTOR P [ PES EXCEPT FOR TEST NO.8 .
—— 2 19 269 COMPRESS10N . $4 TEST NO.8 WAS PERFORMED ON A 16- INCH CASING DRIVEN CLDSED ENDED
INS IDE CDNDUCTOR NO.6 FOLLUtll NG END 8EARI NG TEST NO.5 .
$ g
————— 3 6 214 TENSICN
5. ALL ASOVE TESTS ARE BELIEVED TO BE REPRESENTATIVE, ALTHOUGH JESTS
? : ND.4 s NO.7 (CDWDUCTORS 19 c 14) nAY HAVE BEEM EFFECTED 8Y TIME b
—.. .— 4 20 211 TENS 10W 2 3 pR0xlt41Ty To TEsTs No.3 s ND.6 (CONDUCTORS 6 .5 7).
J z
=
6 7 14s TENS 10N . 3
6. THE PLOTTED DEFLECTI DWS EXCLUDE THE ELAST I c OEFLEcT I ON DF THE
E
CONDUCTORS (DR CASt NG) ABOvE THE pol NT OF EMBEDMENT (MUDLINE FOR
. . . . . . . . .. . . . ALL TESTS EXCEPT NO.8).
7 14 1s0 TENS 10N

-.. -—--. .— 8 6
@
TENS 10N
GROUT
PLIK
7. EMSEDDED LENGTH OF 16,,” CAS !NG I N TEST !40.8 WAS 115 FEET.

SOIL
—.. — 14 3 271 TENS 10N PLUG IN
PLAcE

I?ig. 9 - Evaluated unit skin friction test data.

 TEST NUMBER-5 II 12 15
CONDUCTOR NUMBER-G 7 6 14
— +100
+loo —-

ELEV.WHERE .
TEST LOAO
APPLIED +80 ‘n
2CC — +50
+50 —- -<
%%
;=
<0
~~
Z& —o
~ MSL -s

—-50
=

—-loo
-loo— -
—

— -150
-150 —----

— -200
+
H
L 1.
~
.
z
—
z -250—
. MUOL I NE
L
z
5
. — -300
-300—

—-350
-350 —

—-400
-400—

—-450
-450- —

—-s00
-500—

\ CEMENT =
GROUT PLUG —-550
.—
-550—

—-600
-600— ‘- ‘-—

260 336 210

PENETRATION BELW—234 214 216
MUOLINE IIN FEET

TESTS PERFORMSO
. -—— .-. — . .—— ..-.
2 3 ““--”” ““2@ 5@
COMPRESSION CYCLES-3 2 1

----
,@ T&.
TENSION cYCLE5--- TEST 8 TFiT S8
m!mc
,@ p
OYNAMIC CYCLES— @ --l@

! CYCLE I - 8 PER IOOS; CYCLE 2 - 16 PERIODS; CYCLE 3 - 8 PER IOOS; PERIODS AVERAGED 1 MINUTE.

I
z
3
4
6
CASING DRIVEN TWO FEET
SEQUENCE - COMPRESSION
SEQUENCE - COMPRESSION
PORTION w CYCLE
TO
(1
(3
OEFLECTEO
SEAT AFTER
CYCLE),
CYCLES),
AT ~xlMu~
PERFORMING
TENSION
TENSION
~TE
TENSION
(1 CYCLE)
(1 CYCLE),
possl BLE WITH
TEST 8,
& COMPRESSION
CONPRESSION
THEN COMPRESSION
[1 CYCLE).
(2 CYCLES)
JACKINGEQUlp~ENT.
TESTEO.

G TENSION. (1 CYCLE).

Fig. 10.- Profile of conditions for conrpresssion tests for end bearing.
 EVALUATED UNIT BEARING VALUES (KIPS PER SQ. m.)

222 ..244 260 280 m 320 :

0.5

— - _

I .0
— .

— ~ —
I .5

2.0

2.5

3,0 — —— — . —%

3.5

4.0 —— — — — — — — —

4,5

5.0 — — — — — — — — —

5,5

6.0

6,3

7,0

NOTES:

1. DATA USED FOR EVALUATING LoAD TEST RESULTS.

TE2TS 13. & 15 WERE PERFORNED (X4 FULLY EMBEDDED CONDUCTORPIPES. THE
EVALUATED END BEARING DATA FRDM THESE TESTS SHWLD SE WEIGHTED LUIIER
THAN FOR OTHER TESTS. THE EST IWA.TED ACCURACY IS ON THE ORDER OF 10 TO
15 K2F. ENVELOPE2 OF MAXIMUM VALUES ARE PRESENTED.

T52T 13. HAD A SOIL PLUG END CONDITION RATHER THAN A CEWENT GROUT PLUG
AS WAS TSE CASE FL?RTHE OTHER TESTS. THE DATA ARE SHU,4N PRII+3RILY TO
COt&ARE THE DEFLECTICM CNASACTERISTICS OF A SOIL PLUG END CONDITION TO
THE OTHER TESTS.

IN EsTI144TING DENS! FICAT!ON OF SOILS BELOfI THE cAsl NGs. [T Is INTENDED

TO INDICATE RELATIVE DENSIF ICATION RATHER THAN AOSOLUTi. THE STANDARD
WOULD BE THE DENSIF ICATl ON CAUSED BY DRIVLNG AN OPEN ENDED PIPE 20,$DIAM
OR LESS N4RE THAN 40 FEET PRIOR TO TESTING, THIS CONDITION IS TERMED
,,~pREsE~TAT,l/E,,.

ALL TESTS WERE STATIC TESTS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

THE DASHED PORTICM OF TEST CURVES FOR 5, 136 G 15 REPRESENT DYNAMIC

LOADING CDNDIT!IMS. FDR TEST 5 [T [S THE ENVELOPE DF 32 PERIDDS OF
sAPIDLY FLUCTUA71W LOAD, (REFER TO TEST DATA FOR DETAILS). FOR TEST
, , , 13. 5 15 IT REPRESENTS DEFLECTION AT THE AIAXI141MSATE POSSIBLE WITH THE
EQu]pI~EN7 (AppR0Mlt44TELy 1 To 1* lN. /MIN. ).
15 14 210 3 27@ -300 +64 -236 EEm.n.z
4 140@ -156 +64 -92
5 IO@ -1.[1 $s4 -47’
, , , , I I 1 I

ID EEASURED BY TENS(OW TEST

a EvALuA7ED
@EvALuATED wclGHrErJ AVESAGE OF T.40 MAsuRED VALUES

Fig. 11 - Evaluated unit end bearing test data.