Static & Dynamic Load Test on a Pile: - A comparison

(A case study on Bridge No.113 (1x30.5m TOWG) of

Angul-Sukinda New Rail Line)
S.K.Mishra*

Abstract: -

Increasing demand for dynamic load testing for piles is becoming absolute necessary to compare the values of the result vis-à-vis advantages over static load testing. Although there is a

specific IS code No. 2911 available for static load testing, but no such IS code available for Dynamic load testing. However, Dynamic load test offers substantial advantages in terms of

saving time, cost, and space. This article discusses the differences between both tests in terms of their working principle procedures adopted to conduct the test, including pros & cons. It

also briefs a case study for a cast-in-situ pile in Bridge No. 113 of the Angul-Sukinda New Rail line. The load-settlement response in both tests requires more study to achieve a correlation

of their final result.

Introduction: -

The pile load test provides information regarding the ultimate bearing capacity of the Pile and the behaviour of the settlement during loading and after the load is removed. The
primary purpose for testing piles is as follows:
 To determine the arrival of a safe load for the Pile and its maximum load capacity.
 For setting up the acceptance limits in routine tests.
 For the ideation of an optimal pilling system.
 To verify the calculated load using dynamic or static methodologies.
In accordance with Clause 7.1.5 (b) of IS: 2911 (Part-IV) – 2013, the acceptance criteria for the safe vertical load on a single pile state that it should be either two-thirds of the final
load, at which the total displacement reaches 18mm. Or a maximum of 2% of the pile diameter; generally, the minimum of the two is considered. Alternatively, it can be 50% of the
final load when the total displacement equals 10% of the pile diameter for uniform-diameter piles or 7.5% of the diameter for under-reamed piles.

Types of Pile Load Testing: -

1. Static load testing: -

Conducting a static test on a trial pile provides the most precise method for assessing the response of a pile under applied loads. This approach accurately determines the ultimate failure

load of the pile foundation and evaluates its capacity to support loads while minimizing excessive or sustained displacement.

The test procedure directly measures the displacement of the pile head in response to the applied loads. A calibrated hydraulic jack is used to apply the load to the test pile, pushing

against a beam positioned over the pile. This method is known as the kentledge method. It involves constructing a platform on which weights such as sandbags or concrete blocks are

placed. These weights exert pressure on the piles, subjecting them to load, while gauges monitor resistance, pile movement, and other parameters to ascertain the safe design load of the

pile.

2. Dynamic load testing:

Dynamic load testing evaluates the bearing capacity of a pile by subjecting it to a dynamic load, often a falling mass, at the pile head while monitoring acceleration and strain. In addition to

establishing bearing capacity, this approach provides information on shaft resistance, end bearing, and the structural condition of the pile foundation as a whole.

*MIE(I),M.Tech; Senior Dy. General Manager(Projects),Rail Vikash Nigam Ltd., Bhubaneswar. Mob:-9777440565

Dynamic analysis involves utilizing a device known as the pile-driving analyzer. It consists of a portable computer that gathers and examines strain and acceleration data measured by

the instrument attached to the driven Pile. When a drop weight or a hammer strikes the foundation's top, a compressive stress wave propagates down the shaft at a velocity \(c\),

dependent on the elastic modulus \(E\) and mass density \(ρ\). This impact induces a force \(F\) and particle velocity \(v\) at the foundation's apex. To determine the force, multiply the pile

area and the modulus of elasticity with the signals measured from a pair of strain transducers that are attached near the Pile's top.

Velocity measurement is acquired by integrating signals from a pair of accelerometers, which are also attached near the Pile's top. Both strain transducers and accelerometers are linked to

a pile-driving analyzer (PDA) for signal processing and result analysis. While the wave travels unidirectionally, force and velocity remain proportional. So, we obtain the relationship:

F=Zv;

where Z=EA/c, which is considered the impedance of the Pile

E: The modulus of elasticity for pile material

A: Pile cross-sectional area

C: Speed of the wavefront in the material

The resistance exerted by the soil along the shaft and at the toe results in wave reflections that propagate and impact the top of the foundation. Consequently, high-strain dynamic

testing includes both dynamic pile monitoring and dynamic load testing, which are detailed in ASTM D 4945. Pile driving monitoring involves employing a PDA to conduct real-time
assessments of factors such as bearing capacity, energy transfer, driving stresses, and pile integrity with each blow. The case pile wave analysis program (CAPWAP) is prepared based on

the data obtained from the PDA as soon as the test is completed so as to credit further soil behavior. This includes the resistance distribution of the soil, soil load transfer characteristics,

and soil damping values.

Basic Comparison: -

STATIC LOAD TEST DYNAMIC LOAD TEST

(IS-2911 Pt.4-2013) (ASTM-D 4945 and IRC 78-2011)

1. Static load test was conducted by applying kentledge reaction load on the test pile. 1. One strain and one accelerometer were attached at a distance of one and a half
The load is applied through a hydraulically driven jack resting on the kentledge times the pile diameter from the pile top. Similar gauges were placed diametric-
girder. The applied load was measured by load cell. The load was applied in a series ally opposite to each other to cancel effect of Pile bending due to eccentric hit by
of hydraulic jacks of adequate capacity were connected to a pressure gauge and a the drop weight (minimum of 1 to 2 percent (1 to 2%) of the anticipated pile ca-
power pack pump. pacity). These piles were impacted by dropping 5.45Mt. of weight from heights
Each increment in the load applied to the pile was equivalent to 20% of the safe 1000mm, 1500mm, and 2000mm. One/Two sets of readings are recorded for each
load capacity of the pile. Settlement at the top of the pile was monitored using four height. The strain and acceleration at the pile top were recorded using PDA-PAX.
dial gauges, positioned equidistantly around the pile. These gauges were secured by The Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA) was employed to record forces, motion, and
datum bars resting on fixed supports, positioned at a distance of three times the pile displacement following each hammer drop.
diameter from the edge of the piles. The CASE method was used to analyze the Pile's loading capacity. PDA-W soft-
The final load was maintained for 24h and the corresponding settlement was ob- ware was used to monitor and save data for further analysis using CAPWAP so as
served. Rebound was recorded after the entire load was released. The pile test data to determine the capacity of the Pile in the consequent steps based on the data ob-
are presented by curves drawn between variables in Load vs Displacement graph. tained.

1. Advantages: 1. Advantages:

More familiar and failure criterion well known Reduced cost, Fast testing time, Simple set up and increased number of tests.

2. Disadvantages: 2. Disadvantages:

Expansive, Loading and testing time takes much time, set up takes too much space and time Some do not acknowledge the method - lack of confidence, require experienced

and Reduced number of tests. professional and sophisticated devices.

Require to provide instrumentation to obtain load distribution over pile.

CASE STUDY: -

Comparison of Static & Dynamic Load Tests done for 1200 mm diameter Cast-in-situ bored Test Pile and Working Pile in Major Bridge No.113 of Angul-Sukinda New Rail line are

described below:

STATIC LOAD ON THE TEST PILE

STATIC LOAD ON TEST PILE DYNAMIC LOAD ON WORKING PILE

 Static load test is to access the direct measurement of pile head displacement in Dynamic load testing is a method to access pile bearing capacity by applying dynamic

response to the physically applied load. The test pile is loaded using a calibrated hydraulic load to the pile head i.e a falling of a mass while recording the acceleration and strain

jack that applies the test load to the pile by pushing against a beam placed over the test developed in the pile head. In addition to the ultimate bearing capacity, dynamic load

pile. This type of kentledge (Dead weight) method involves the construction of a platform testing provides information of shaft resistance and capacity of end bearing. It also

upon which the weights are placed, usually sand bags or concrete blocks. evaluates the integrity of the pile foundation.

These weights bear down on the piles putting it under load and the gauges then measure This Test consists of a portable computer that collects and analyzes strain and

the resistance, movement of the pile and other readings to determine the safe design load accelerations measured by the instrument attached to the pile. When the hammer or drop

of the pile. weight falls on the top of the foundation, a compressed stress wave travels down the shaft

using a Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA) to access the real time evaluation of Energy transfer,

Driving stress and pile integrity for every blow. Case Pile Wave Analysis Program

(CAPWAP) is made on the PDA data after the test is complete to credit further behavior of

soil including soil resistance distribution, soil damping values etc.

LOCATION OF TEST PILE LOCATION OF WORKING PILE

Near A2/RHS @Ch:56974 Pile No - 09/A1

@ CH: 56931

BORE-LOG OF TEST PILE BORE-LOG OF WORKING PILE (A1-9)

PROCEDURE ADOPTED IN FIELD FOR STATIC LOAD TEST DONE ON TEST PILE PROCEDURE ADOPTED IN FIELD FOR DYNAMIC LOAD TEST DONE ON WORKING
PILE

The static load test was conducted by applying Kentledge reaction load (Dead weights) Dynamic load test was done on a working pile (A2/9), dropping a weight of 5.45 MT
on the test pile. The load is applied through a series of hydraulic jacks resting on a (about 1 to 2% of the Test load, i.e. 483 MT) from different heights at 1000mm, 1500mm,
Kentledge girder. The applied load was measured by the pressure gauge of the load cell and 2000mm by burning the rope tied to it.
connected to a power pack pump. The load applied increased incrementally by 20% of the One strain Transducer and an accelerometer were attached to a Pile Driving Analyzer
Pile's safe load for each step. Settlement on the top of the Pile was measured using four (PDA) at a distance of one and a half times the pile diameter from the pile top. Similar
dial gauges, each placed equidistantly around the Pile. These gauges were held in position gauges were also placed diametrically opposite to each other to cancel the effect of Pile
by datum bars supported by immovable fixtures situated at a distance three times the pile bending due to eccentric hit by the drop weight.
diameter from the Pile's edge. Reading of each drop was recorded for each height using PDA-PAX, which evaluates
The final load of 805 MT was maintained for 24 hours, and the corresponding the induced forces and motion of each blow. The pile load carrying capacity and the
settlement was recorded. The rebound was also observed after the entire load was behavior of the pile shaft were then analyzed through PDA-W, CASE, and CAPWAP
released. software.
The pile test data are presented by curves drawn between variables of the Load vs
Displacement graph.
FULL LOAD ON TEST PILE FULL LOAD ON WORKING PILE

The total load applied is 2.5 times the design load, i.e., 805 MT (as the design load is The total load applied is 2.5 times the design load, i.e., 483 MT (as the design load is
322 MT) 322 MT)
GROSS SETTELEMENT ON FULL LOAD (DIRECT MEASUREMENT) GROSS SETTELEMENT ON FULL LOAD (THROUGH ANALYSIS)

2.613mm @805MT 4.25 mm@483MT

& 1.61 mm @480 MT

ADVANTAGES OF STATIC LOAD TESTING ADVANTAGES OF DYNAMIC LOAD TESTING

More familiar and failure criterion well known Reduced cost, Fast testing time, Simple set up and increased number of tests.

DISADVANTAGES OF STATIC TESTING DISADVANTAGES OF DYNAMIC TESTING

Expansive loading and testing time takes too much time, setup requires too much space,  Some do not acknowledge the method - lack of confidence.
and there is a reduced number of tests.  require experienced professional and sophisticated devices.
 Difficult to predict Pile capacity in end-bearing piles
REMARKS:
In the above tests, the maximum settlement as per acceptance criteria vide clause 7.1.5 (b) of IS: 2911 (Part-IV) – 2013 is well below 18 mm and hence safe from a design point
of view. However, there is a difference in results for the dynamic and the static tests, which may be due to the following reasons:-

 The distance between the two locations is 42 mt. apart.

 Both Ground and Founding levels at both locations are different, as shown in the Bore log data.
 The Rock socketing in the Test pile was 3.6 MT, while it was 1.57 MT in the A1/9 working pile. Termination criteria of Pile were done based on samples collected for
UCS, rate of penetration per hour during chiselling, and advice from the designer.
 RQD and other properties of rock at the founding level are not known.
The current study emphasizes the significance of dynamic tests in predicting the ultimate load capacity and integrity of piles, offering a cost-effective and time-efficient approach.
However, it is crucial to conduct a thorough analysis of static soil resistance and its distribution, considering it as a matter subject to individual engineering judgment.
TEST LIMITATIONS:
Assessing static soil resistance and its distribution can be approached through various analytical methods, subject to individual engineering judgment. The inputs for these methods may or
may not align with the results of dynamic evaluations matching static load test data. Therefore, it becomes imperative to calibrate the results of dynamic analysis with those obtained from a
static pile load test conducted according to IS 2911.
1) Based on the above, it can be challenging to anticipate rock socket friction and actual end bearing for rock socketed piles that exhibit minimal net displacement under impacts.

2) In contrast to static testing, interpreting dynamic pile test results necessitates the expertise of an experienced engineer trained in result interpretation.

CONCLUSIONS:
This paper examines the reliability of dynamic tests by comparing them with static tests conducted on piles from the same site. The following conclusions can be made:

1. The load settlement behaviour of piles shows strong agreement with static load tests, particularly when the applied load is low. However, as the test load increases, dynamic
load tests may underestimate settlement.
2. Dynamic load tests hold significant potential for predicting pile capacity and integrity, provided that proper caution is exercised in comparison.
3. Dynamic load tests can be more cost-effective and less time-consuming for larger diameter bored piles compared to static load tests.
4. Based on this study, it is recommended that dynamic tests be calibrated with at least one static load test for a given project.
5. While dynamic load testing offers advantages such as time and cost savings, along with the ability to conduct a greater number of tests on a group of piles, it's advisable to
calibrate the results of dynamic analysis with static pile load tests in a project.
In summary:
 Loading arrangement and final design load are typically assessed through static load testing.
 Recording of settlement is predominantly carried out via static load testing.
 Dynamic load testing involves dropping weights and using a Pile Driving Analyzer for data

collection and analysis.

Loading arrangement: Static Load Testing

Final Design Load: Static Load Test

Recording of Settlement: Static Load

Testing

Dropping of weight: Dynamic Load Testing

Pile Driving Analyzer: Dynamic Load Testing

REFERENCES
1. IS 2911 (Part 4) : 2013 'Code of practice for design and construction of pile foundations: Part 4 Load test on piles'.
2.ASTM-D 4945 -12 Standard Test Method for High-Strain Dynamic Testing of Deep Foundations
3. IRC 78-2014 : STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS AND CODE OF PRACTICE FOR ROAD BRIDGES