TOPIC 3B: PILE FOUNDATION

LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of week 10 lecture, the students will be able to: :

❑Explain the end bearing and skin friction pile. (CO2:PO3)

❑Estimate the bearing capacity of a pile. (CO2:PO3)
❑Able to design single pile and group pile (CO2:PO3)
❑Estimate pile settlement. (CO2:PO3)

2
3
 Introduction
Function:-
◼ To transmit foundation loads through soil

strata of low bearing capacity to deeper soil or

rock strata having a high bearing capacity, or
used in normal ground condition to resist
heavy uplift forces or in poor soil conditions to
resist horizontal loads.

4
5
 PILE AND PILEANALYSIS
Factors Affecting Pile Selection

Factors affecting pile selection … cont.

(a) Location and type of structure
The driven pile or the driven and cast-in place
in which the shell remains in position are the
most favoured for works over water.
On land, bored or driven and cast in-place
are usually the cheapest for moderate
loadings and unhampered site conditions.
Other types may have to be used when
constraints exist at site.

GEOTECHNIQUES (ECG533)
 PILE AND PILEANALYSIS
Factors Affecting Pile Selection

Factors affecting pile selection … cont.

(b) Ground conditions
Influence both the choice of pile type and the
technique for installing piles.
Driven piles cannot be used economically in ground
containing boulders and where ground heave would be
detrimental.
Driven piles are preferred for loose water-bearing sands
and gravels.
Steel H-piles are suitable for conditions where deep
penetration is required in sands and gravels.

GEOTECHNIQUES (ECG533)
 PILE AND PILEANALYSIS
Factors Affecting Pile Selection

Factors affecting pile selection … cont.

(c) Durability
Often affects the selection of pile type.
In marine conditions precast concrete may be preferred
to steel piles from the aspect of resistance to
corrosion.
Timber pile may be rejected for marine conditions
because of risk to attack by mollusc-type borers.
High-quality precast concrete may have to be employed
in soils containing sulphates or other deleterious
substances.

GEOTECHNIQUES (ECG533)
 PILE AND PILEANALYSIS
Factors Affecting Pile Selection

Factors affecting pile selection … cont.

(d) Cost
Final choice of pile is made from the consideration
of cost, i.e. the overall cost.
Cost of the piling work would include the
contractors resources, experience and the ability
to overcome difficult problems which may be
encountered.
Cost would also include the engineer’s supervision
of the pile installation and test loading and others
associated with the work..

GEOTECHNIQUES (ECG533)
11
12
13
 Types of Piling

Concrete Steel Timber Steel H Pre-cast Composite

Pipe Concrete

14
In term of load being transferred

1
Piles can generally be classify with respect to their
function :- Friction piles or End Bearing Piles.

◼ FRICTION PILES
In cohesionless soils – the applied load is
transferred to the surrounding soil mainly
through skin friction along the surface of the
piles..

22
Friction piles in cohesive soil – almost the
whole load on the pile is transferred to the
surrounding soil along the pile surface
through skin friction and only a very small
part through the pile toe.

END BEARING PILES – pile driven down to a

layer with high bearing capacity, the applied
load is transferred from the pile to the
surrounding soil mainly through the pile toe

23
 Classification of Piles

Displacement Piles Replacement Piles

◼ Piles are driven or ◼ A hole is form in the
pushed, vibrated or ground by removal of
screwed into the material from the
ground, displacing the ground and thus
soil outwards and material is displaced
downwards but no by a concrete material
materials are removed. formed in the ground.

24
 DISPLACEMENT PILES
◼ DRIVEN PILES – Preformed unit driven into
the soil by blows of hammer.
◼ Materials of performed pile are :-
Timber ;
Concrete; or
Steel
Advantage of performed unit – can be inspected and checked
as a sound structural member before it is driven into the
ground
•
•Length of pile to be driven depends on the local variation of
soil strata. Disadvantages when cutting off unwanted pile or
the addition of extra lengths can become an expensive
additional cost. 25
26
Driven -Timber Piles

27
cont..
Driven -Timber Piles
 Driven – Precast Concrete Piles
◼ Used where soft soils overlaying a firm strata
are encountered. Lengths up to 18m with
section sizes ranging from 250 x 250mm to
450 x 450mm carrying loadings up to 1000kN.
◼ The precast concrete driven pile has little
frictional bearing strength since the driving
operation moulds the cohesive soils around the
shaft which reduces the positive frictional
resistance.

29
cont..
Driven – Precast Concrete Piles

30
Spun Concrete Piles

Timber Piles

31
cont..
Driven – Precast Concrete Piles
Problem encounter when using this pile in urban
area :-
◼ Transporting the complete length of pile
through narrow or congested streets;
◼ The driving process which is generally
percussion can set up unacceptable noise or
vibration;
◼ Many urban sites are themselves restricted or
congested thus making it difficult to
manoeuvre the long piles length around the
site.
32
Driven – Steel Piles

33
 Driven – Steel Piles
cont..

34
DRIVEN and CAST –IN- PLACE PILES

35
1. Centering 2. Starting drilling 3. Inserting stand pipe 4.Feeding bentonite 5.Drilling till
the specified depth 6.Inserting belling bucket 7. Reaming bore hole bottom 8. Measuring
depth 9.Setting up iron-reinforcement cage 10. Inserting tremie tube 11. Cleaning slime
by an air-lift 12. 13 Concreting 14.Completing cast-in-place concrete pile with bellin3g6
bottom.
cont..
DRIVEN and CAST –IN- PLACE PILES

Franki driven in-situ piles

37
BORED and CAST –IN- PLACE PILES

38
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES

40
cont..
DRIVEN and CAST –IN- PLACE PILES

41
cont..
Percussion Bored Piles

42
cont..
Percussion Bored Piles

43
44
cont..
Rotary Bored Piles

45
 Grab Construction - Cased
Using crawler crane and casing oscillator

Main soil – sand and gravels with high demands on casing technology

Used chisels to break up bedrock and boulders

Pile diameter ranging from 620-2000mm
Depths generally up to 50m

46
 Rotary Drilling with kelly -Cased
Standard cast-in-place pile :-
Use in all types of soil
Use where site conditions are restricted
Vibration free drilling. Casing installed by rotary drive
Casing oscillator can be used for larger pile diameters and greater
depths. Pile diameter generally 600 –1800 mm
Depth generally up to 40 m but greater depth possible.

47
1. Centering 2. Starting drilling 3. Inserting stand pipe 4.Feeding bentonite 5.Drilling till
the specified depth 6.Inserting belling bucket 7. Reaming bore hole bottom 8. Measuring
depth 9.Setting up iron-reinforcement cage 10. Inserting tremie tube 11. Cleaning slime
by an air-lift 12. 13 Concreting 14.Completing cast-in-place concrete pile with bellin4g8
bottom.
 Rotary Drilling with kelly – Borehole
supported by hydrostatic pressure

1. Rotate or vibrate
starter casing to
required depth.
2. Remove driilling spoil
with bucket
attached to kelly
bar with borehole
supported by slurry.
3. Recycle slurry to
remove soil and
insert reinforcing
cage.
1 2 3 4 5 4. Place concrete
simultaneously
displacing slurry.
5. Complete pile
49
 Rotary drilling using twin rotary head – Front
of Wall
Suitable for all types of soil and on restricted sites.
Vibration free, and can be installed against existing wall. Continuous
flight auger and casing installed simultaneously by counter rotating
twin rotary drives. Pile diameter from 305 to 550mm and depth
generally up to 15m

1. Install casing and

continuous flight
auger to require
depth using counter
rotating drives.
2. Inject concrete
through hollow stem
auger, simultaneously
withdrawing auger and
casing.
3. Insert reinforcement
1 2 3 4 cage into concreted
borehole. 50
4. Completed pile
Rotary drilling using flight auger – Continuous
flight auger system
All types of soil and at restricted sites.
Vibration free. Reinforcement can be pushed or vibrated into fresh the fresh
concrete. Diameter from 400 – 1000mm . Depth generally up to 18 m.

1. Rotate continuous
flight auger to
required depth.
2. Inject concrete
through hollow stem,
simultaneously
withdrawing auger
without rotation.
3. Vibrate or push
reinforcement cage
1 2 3 4 fitted with spacers
into fresh concrete.
4. Completed pile.
51
52
COMPOSITE PILES

53
 COMPOSITE PILES :-
Prestcore pile – formed inside a line bored hole. It is a replacement pile
and can be of precast or insitu concrete.
Advantage – Problem of necking is eliminated which made it suitable to
use in waterlogged soils.

Construction stage :-
1. Lined bored hole formed by percussion bored method.
2. Precast units which form the core of the pile are assembled on a
special mandrel and reinforcement is inserted before the core unit is
lowered into position.
3. By means of pneumatic winch, the raising and lowering the pile
core which is attached to the head of lining tube to consolidate the
bearing stratum.
4. Withdraw the lining tube and grouting with the aid of compressed
air to expel any ground water.
54
COMPOSITE PILES :-
Shell – Is a driven or displacement pile consisting of a series of
precast shells threaded on to a mandrel and top driven to the
required set. After driving and removing the mandrel the hollow
core can be inspected, cage of reinforced can be inserted and void
filled with in-situ concrete.

Suitable in waterlogged and soft substrata with readily adaptable

length.
Advantages :-
1. The shaft can be inspected internally before in-situ
concrete is introduced,
2. the flow of water or soil into the pile is eliminated,
3. The presence of corrosive conditions in thes soil can be
overcome using special cements in the shell
construction. 55
56
Type of pile shoe for various ground condition

57
Learning outcomes

At the end of this lecture (Week 11), the students should

be able to:

1. Explain about Pile Load Test

2. Determine the capacity of single and group piles
3. Analyze the settlement of single and group piles
4. Describe about Negative Skin Friction
 PILE TESTING

◼ Objective is to confirm that the

design and information of the
chosen pile type is adequate.
 Test piles are usually overloaded
by at least 50% of the design
working load to near failure or to
actual failure.

58
Ultimate Bearing Capacity - Static
Formula Method (Qu = Qp + Qs)
Qu = Ultimate Bearing Capacity

Qs = fAs

f = Unit Frictional
Embedded Resistance
=D
Length AS = Shaft Area
qP = Unit Bearing
Capacity
AP = Area of Point
QP = qPAP
Classification of piles
Classification of pile with respect to load transmission
and functional behaviour

1- End bearing piles (point bearing piles)

2- Friction piles (cohesion piles )
3- Combination of friction and cohesion piles

End B Friction
 End Bearing Piles
These piles
transfer their load
on to a firm stratum
located at a
considerable depth
below the base of
the structure and
they derive most of PILES SOFT SOIL
their carrying
capacity from the
penetration
resistance of the ROCK
soil at the toe of
the pile
Friction piles
These piles also transfer their load to the ground through skin
friction. The process of driving such piles does not compact the
soil appreciably. These types of pile foundations are commonly
known as floating pile foundations.

These piles transmit most of their load to the soil through skin
friction. This process of driving such piles close to each other in
groups greatly reduces the porosity and compressibility of the
soil within and around the groups. Therefore piles of this
category are some times called compaction piles. During the
process of driving the pile into the ground, the soil becomes
moulded and, as a result loses some of its strength. Therefore
the pile is not able to transfer the exact amount of load which it
is intended to immediately after it has been driven. Usually, the
soil regains some of its strength three to five months after it has
been driven.
 Friction Piles
These piles also transfer
their load to the ground
through skin friction. The
process of driving such
piles does not compact
the soil appreciably.
These types of pile
foundations are
commonly known PILES
SOFT SOIL
as floating pile
foundations. Strength
increases
with depth
Combination of friction piles and cohesion piles
An extension of the end bearing pile when the bearing stratum
is not hard, such as a firm clay. The pile is driven far enough
into the lower material to develop adequate frictional
resistance. A farther variation of the end bearing pile is piles
with enlarged bearing areas. This is achieved by forcing a
bulb of concrete into the soft stratum immediately above the
firm layer to give an enlarged base. A similar effect is
produced with bored piles by forming a large cone or bell at
the bottom with a special reaming tool. Bored piles which are
provided with a bell have a high tensile strength and can be
used as tension piles
 Loads applied to Piles
V
M
• Combinations of vertical, horizontal and moment H
loading may be applied at the soil surface from the
overlying structure

• For the majority of foundations the loads applied to

the piles are primarily vertical

• For piles in jetties, foundations for bridge piers, tall

chimneys, and offshore piled foundations the lateral
resistance is an important consideration

• The analysis of piles subjected to lateral and moment

loading is more complex than simple vertical loading
because of the soil-structure interaction.
PILE ANALYSIS
Static Approach

Qu
0
Qu = Q b + Qs – W

Qu = Pile ultimate capacity

Qs
Qb = Ultimate end bearing resistance
Qs = Ultimate shaft resistance

W = weight of pile – weight of soil

displaced (usually ignored except
Hard stratum for steel pile)

Qb
PILE ANALYSIS
Piles in cohesive soil

Piles in cohesive soil

A number of factors conspire to reduce the shear

strength and consequent adhesion around a pile,
such as remoulding, softening due to water in the
hole or from fresh concrete, or due to water
seepage.
It is common to assume undrained conditions exist at
the time of loading, but recent studies have shown
that dissipation of excess pore pressure takes place
fairly quickly. By the time the pile is fully loaded,
conditions may be near to being drained.
PILE ANALYSIS
Piles in cohesive soil

(i) The ultimate bearing capacity using the α-method:

Based on total stress analysis (TSA). Usually used
to estimate short-term load capacity of piles
embedded in fine grained soils
The skin friction or adhesion, f, that
develops between the soil and the pile shaft
has been related to the undisturbed cohesive
strength of the clay.
fclay = α c
where fclay = unit adhesion or skin friction
c = cohesive strength of undisturbed clay
α = factor that relates adhesion to cohesion
PILE ANALYSIS
Piles in cohesive soil
Thus the ultimate bearing capacity using the α-method
is given by :
Qu = cu N c Ab +  (  cuAs )

where
Nc = 9.0 for intact clays or 6.75 for fissured clays
α = adhesion factor, usually taken as 0.45, but may vary from
1.0 for soft clays to 0.3 for overconsolidated clays
cu = undrained strength at the pile tip
∆As = shaft surface area within a given layer of UD
strength cu
cu = average undrained strength along the pile shaft
PILE ANALYSIS

Variation of α
with the
undrained
cohesion cu
PILE ANALYSIS
Piles in cohesive soil

(ii) The ultimate bearing capacity using the β-method:

The method was proposed by Burland (1973)

The β-method is based on the ESA and is used to
estimate the short-term and long-term pile load
capacities in all soil types.
The excess pore water pressure that develops
when piles are driven in saturated clays gradually
dissipates. The unit frictional resistance for the
pile can be determined on the basis of the
effective stress parameters of the clay in the
remoulded state.
PILE ANALYSIS
Piles in cohesive soil
Thus at any depth

f = 
'
o

Hence the ultimate bearing capacity using the β-method:

Qu = cu N c Ab + K o 'o tan  As
= cu N c Ab +  s 'o As
Where βs = adhesion factor, usually taken between 0.25 –0.40
As = shaft surface area
'
 o = average effective overburden pressure at the
centre of the pile length
Ko= earth pressure coefficient
PILE ANALYSIS
Piles in cohesive soil

Hence the ultimate bearing capacity using the λ-method:

Qu =cu N c Ab + f av As
= cu N c Ab +  (  + 2cu )As
'
o

Where λ = adhesion factor, usually taken between 0.5 – 0.117

depending on the length of the pile.
As = shaft surface area
o
'
= average effective overburden pressure at the
centre of the pile length
cu = mean undrained shear strength (φ = 0 concept)
 ;;;-.-------
------ l:ndruoed
coheslon. c.
..-- - - - ►
\'mical
cfl'ca.-e
urcu.<(.
l, Atta • A1

V:llue orA
01 02 03 04 05
1-,
'-
I I

oj
I

00
0
- _! +_c"°_.
Arca • Ai

0 0 (al .
10
0 !p6
(
g - Ocpch
(b)
Depch
Ccl
zo
I- oy 0
- Application of.\ methodln layered sofl

g <.p.,
J, J.( q"+l C,)

<pO -
9,

50 - 0 -
-

00 -
,oI-
,o
-
I
Fric tional capac ity co ef1icien t A vs pile penet ratio n
(Vijayve rgiya and Foch t, 197 2)
PILE ANALYSIS – Static Analysis

Piles in Cohesionless soil

The ultimate bearing capacity is:
Qu = Q b + Qs
= A b q b +  A sq s
' '

=  ' N A + K  ' tan  A

o q b s o s

= ' N A +   ' A
o q b s o s
PILE ANALYSIS
Piles in cohesionless soil

where σo’ = effective overburden pressure, at the pile toe

Nq = a bearing capacity factor
Ks = a coefficient of earth pressure dependent
largely on the relative density of the soil
'
o = average effective overburden pressure at the
centre of the pile shaft
 = angle of friction between the pile and the soil

The values of Nq may be obtained from the preceeding

figure in the next slide
STATIC APPROACH
Piles in cohesionless soil

Values of Nq for
pile formula (after
Berezantsev et
al., 1961)
PILE ANALYSIS
Piles in cohesionless soil

Skin friction coefficients

 QUESTION:
A 0.3 m diameter concrete pile is
driven at a site as shown on figure on
the next slide. What is the pile’s
design capacity if the Factor of
safety is 2?

92
 Q design = ?

Clay
4.5 m qu = 60 kN/m 2
γ = 16 kN/m3

12 m Clay
qu = 240 kN/m2
7.5 m
γ = 19.80 kN/m3

0.3 m 93
Qultimate = α c Ashaft + c Nc Abase
α c Ashaft = α1 c1 Ashaft 1 + α2 c2 Ashaft 2

From graph α versus cu , with cu1 = 60 kN/m2 , α1 = 0.9

c1 = qu1 = 60 kN/m2 = 30 kN/m2

2 2

Ashaft 1 = πd x L1 = π x 0.3 x 4.5 = 4.24 m2

From graph α versus cu , with cu2 = 240 kN/m2 , α2 = 0.46

c2 = qu2 = 240 kN/m2 = 120 kN/m2

2 2

Ashaft2 = πd x L2 = π x 0.3 x 7.5

= 7.07 m2
94
 Graph α versus Cu
0.9

0.46

Cu2=120 kN/m2
Cu1=30 kN/m2

95
Σ(α c Ashaft) = α1 c1 Ashaft1 + α2 c2 Ashaft2
=(0.9)(30)(4.24) + (0.46)(120)(7.07)
= 504.744 kN

Qb =c Nc Abase

qbase = c Nc
= (120)(9)
= 1080 kN/m2

Abase = π d2 = π (0.3)2 = 0.07 m2

4 4

c Nc Abase = (120)(9)(0.07) = 75.6 kN

96
Qultimate = α c Ashaft + c Nc Abase

Qultimate = 504.744 + 75.6

= 580.344 kN

Qdesign = Qultimate
FOS

Qdesign = 580.344
2
= 290.172 kN

97
98
99
100
101
NEGATIVE SKIN FRICTION

3.13 NEGATIVE SKIN FRICTION

Negative skin friction is the value of shaft resistance
developed between the pile and soil in a downward
direction and results in the increase of the load on
the pile (same direction with pile load)
It develops when:
(i) Piles are driven through a layer of fill material
which slowly compacts or consolidates due to
its own weight,
(ii) The layers underlying the fill consolidates under the
weight of the fill,
NEGATIVE SKIN FRICTION

Negative skin
friction
NEGATIVE SKIN FRICTION

The general expression for the load-carrying

capacity of a pile subject to negative skin
friction is

Q +  qN ASN = qb Ab +  qs ASR
BEARING CAPACITY OF PILE
GROUPS

3.14 BEARING CAPACITY & SETTLEMENT

OF PILE GROUPS
Piles are usually placed in groups with centre-to-
centre spacings typically between 2 and 5 shaft
diameters.
The ratio of the average load in a pile group to
the ultimate single pile load is referred to as the
efficiency (ξ ) of the group.

ultimate group load

=
N x ultimate individual load
BEARING CAPACITY OF PILE 3.14.1
GROUPS Arrangement
of piles in
group
BEARING CAPACITY OF PILE
GROUPS

3.14.2 Pile groups in cohesionless soils

When pile are driven into sands, the relative density

will increase and thus th group bearing capacity
may be greater than the sum of the individual
capacities (i.e. ξ >1.0). However for design purposes
ξ is taken as 1.0.

In the case of bored piles in sands, the efficiency is

lower because the shear zones of adjacent piles
overlap, giving values of ξ as low as 0.6.
BEARING CAPACITY OF PILE
GROUPS

3.14.3 Pile groups in cohesive soils

If the spacing in a group is 2 to 3 times the pile

diameter the efficiency will be about 0.7. The
failure mode is likely to be block failure.
The basic ultimate load equation is modified as
follows:

Qu( group) = Nccu Bg Lg + c u 2D(B g + Lg )

BEARING CAPACITY OF PILE
GROUPS
Qu( group) = Nccu Bg Lg + c u 2D(B g + Lg )
where Nc = Skempton’s values taken from Figure XXX
cu = undrained shear strength at depth D
Bg = breadth of group block
Bg = Lg = (No of pile in B or L direction)(spacing)
Lg = length of group block + Pile diameter

D = depth to the base of group

cu = average undrained shear strength between 0

and D m below the surface

If the pile cap rests on the ground the design load should
be taken as the least of the ultimate group load (Qu(group))
and the sum of the individual pile capacities (Qu x N).
When the piles are free-standing the design load should
not exceed ⅔QuN.
BEARING CAPACITY OF PILE
GROUPS

Calculation of
block failure of pile
group in clay
Given :
1. A pile group consist of 4 friction piles in
cohesive soil.
2. The diameter of each pile is 0.5m and
center-to-center spacing is 2.5m. Nc=7.0

Q.) Design capacity of the pile group:

i.) Calculate Qult of group of pile
ii.) Calculate Qult for each pile
iii.) Calculate q equivalent 111
 B=3.5m

Spacing
=2.5m

Lg=3m L=3.5m

Clay Depth
Cu=80kN =20m

Diameter
=0.5m
Bg=3m
112
 Capacity of a single pile

α = 0.6
Qu= Cu Nc Ab +∑(α Cu As )
=[80(7.0)(0.5 x 0.5)] + [0.6(40)(4(0.5)(20)]
=1100 kN

113
i.) Calculate Qult of group of pile
Solution:
D=20m , Nc=7.0
Bg = 2.5+Bo
= 2.5+0.5
= 3.0m
Bg = 2.5+Lo
= 2.5+0.5
= 3.0m
Cu =0.5 Cu
=0.5(80) =40 kN 114
ULTIMATE BEARING CAPACITY OF PILE GROUP,
Qg

Qg = 2 D (Bg + Lg) Cu + Cu Nc Bg Lg
Qg = [2(20)(3.0+3.0)(40)] +[80(7.0)(3.0)(3.0)]
=9600+5040
=14,640 kN

115
ii.) Calculate Qult for each pile
Solution:

Efficiency group = Ultimate b.c. pile group

load (No. of pile) (Ult capacity single pile)

Efficiency of the group= 14,640

4 x 1100
=3.33
116
iii.)Calculate q equivalent
Solution: 14,640 kN
qo=?

qo = Qu
Area of pile group
= 14,640
3.0 x 3.0
= 1626.67 kN/m2
To calculate q equivalent : 2(D)
3
= 13.33m
117
 qo = 1626.67 kN/m2

2V
13.33m

L1 = Lg + 13.33
1H
= 3.0 +13.33
=16.33m

B1 =Bg + 13.33
=16.33m

Aequ= L1 x B1
= 16.33 x 16.33
= 266.67m2
q1 = qequivalent = Qult
Aequ
= 14,640
266.67
= 54.9 kN/m2

118
 EXAMPLE FINAL EXAM
Question
A square group of nine piles with the diameter of piles shaft is 350 mm will be
installed to an embedded depth of 18 m in a cohesive soil, which has the following
properties:

cu = 42 + 3.5 z kPa; where z is the depth below ground surface

b = 19.5 kN/m³ and sat = 21.0 kN/m³

The ground water table is located at a depth of 4 m from ground surface. The piles
are spaced at 2.5m center- to-center. By adopting a factor of safety of 2.5 for overall
group failure, determine:

i) the safe working load of the pile group

ii) the efficiency of the pile group.

Assume the β = 0.4 and NC = 5.4 *( 1 + 0.2( B / L) )* ( 1 + (0.053(D/B) )1/2 ) ≤ 9.0

SOLUTION:
Given: cu = 42 + 3.5 z kPa
b = 19.5 kN/m³
sat = 21.0 kN/m³
β = 0.4
F.O.S = 2.5

42 kPa
4m

18 m 73.5 kPa

42 + 3.5(18)
= 105 kPa
Qult = Qb + Qs

Q b = A b qb = Ab cu Nc = π (0.35)² / 4 x 105 x 9.0

= 90.92 kPa
Qs = A S q s = Ab β σvo = 2π (0.35) /2 x18 x 0.4 x 133.95
= 1060.46 kPa

σvo = (19.5x4) + (21 – 9.81) x 5

= 133.95 kPa
Qult (s) = Qb + Qs
= 90.92 + 1060.46
= 1151.38 kPa
 2.5 m

Lg = Bg
= (2.5 x 2) + 0.35
Bg = 5.35 m

Lg

Qb = Ab(g) cu Nc Qs(g) = As(g)cu

= 5.35² x 105 x 9 = (5.35 x 4 x 18) (73.5)
= 27048.3 kPa = 28312.2 kPa

Qult (g) = Qb(g) + Qs(g)

= 27048.3 + 28312.2
= 55360.5 kPa
i) safe working load of the pile group
Qall(g) = Qult(g)
F.O.S
= 55360.5
2.5
= 22144.2 kPa

ii) Efficiency of the pile group

ξ= Qult(g)
Qult(s) x n

= 55360.5
1151.38 x 9

= 5.34
SETTLEMENT OF PILE GROUPS

3.14.4 Settlement of pile groups

The settlement of a pile group in both cohesionless

and cohesive soils will be greater than that due to an
individual pile. In order to estimate the settlement it is
usual to consider an equivalent raft located at a depth
of ⅔D, where D = the embedded depth of the pile.
The area of the equivalent raft is determined by
assuming that the load spreads from the underside of
the pile cap in the ratio of 1 horizontal to 2 vertical (or
whatever is given). The settlement is then calculated by
conventional means.
SETTLEMENT OF PILE GROUPS

Settlement of pile groups

SETTLEMENT OF PILE GROUPS

Settlement of pile groups … cont.

Sometimes, a pile group may be embedded above a
soft clay layer and transfer sufficient load to it ( soft
clay) to cause consolidation settlement. To estimate
the settlement, the full design load is assumed to act at
a depth of ⅔L, where L = the embedded depth of the
pile. The load is then distributed in the ratio of 2:1
(vertical : horizontal).
The increase in vertical stress at a depth z is given by :
Qag
 z =
(B g + z)( Lg +z)
 SETTLEMENT OF PILE GROUPS

Assumed distribution
of load for calculating
settlement of a pile
group

The increase in vertical stress at a

depth z (centre of the clay layer) is
given by :
Qag
 z =
(B + z)( L +z)
g (ECG433)g
GEOTECHNIQUES ARM - 2007
SETTLEMENT OF PILE GROUPS

Assumed distribution of load for

calculating settlement of a pile group

The increase in vertical

stress at a depth z (centre
of the clay layer) is given
by :
Qag
 z =
(B g + z)( Lg +z)
,,
SETTLEMENT OF PILE GROUPS

Consolidated settlement of the clay

layer is given by :

Sc = mv  H
where the symbols used have their
usual meanings.

Sc = Ho Cc log σ’c
1 +eo σ’o
 QUESTION
Q = 30x103kN 1m

Ø = 0.3 m

1m
4m γ = 18kN/m2

12 m γ = 20kN/m2

3m

3m Clay γ = 19kN/m2

The water table is at depth 4 m. the unit weight of soil above water is 18 kN/m2 and the
saturated unit weight is 20 kN/m2. If the load of the group is spread at 1:2, determine the
consolidation settlement of the pile group given the following conditions. The compression
index Cc and the initial void ratio eo of the clay are 0.33 and 0.852, respectively.
 1m

SOLUTION Ø = 0.3 m

1m

Q = 30x103kN

4m
γ = 18kN/m2
⅔ L= 8 m
12 m

1
γsat = 20kN/m2
4m 2
z = 8.5 m
3m
3m

3m Clay γ = 19kN/m2 3m xA
clay

Bg= 2(1)+0.3 = 2.3 m ,

Lg= 3(1)+0.3 = 3.3 m
SOLUTION -
cont.
qeq = Q
(Bg + z) (Lg + z)
= 30000
(2.3 + 8.5) (3.3 + 8.5)
= 235 kN/m2
 SOLUTION -
cont.
At point A(before loading) (After loading)

σc = γz = 20(7) + 1.5(19) σc = γz = 168.5 + 235

= 168.5 kN/m2 = 403.5 kN/m2
σ’c = σo - u = 168.5 – 8.5(10) σ’c = σo - u = 403.5 – 8.5(10)
= 83.5 kN/m2 = 318.5 kN/m2

Sc = Ho Cc log σ’c
1 +eo σ’o

= 3 x 0.33 x log 318.5

1+ 0.852 168.5

= 0.148m
PILE SPACING

MINIMUN OF 3 DIAMETER CENTRE TO CENTRE OF PILE

FOR NON-CIRCULAR –CENTRE TO CENTRE SPACING

SHOULD BE AT LEAST BE SAME AS THE PERIMETER