PILE LOAD TEST

Prior to the construction, an in 1. 2.

situ type of load testing are Statnamic Dynamic
carried out in order to determine Load Test Load Test
information as follows: CATEGORY
OF
LOAD TEST Pile Driving
The ultimate strength of Analyser
each pile must fulfill the
structural and geotechnical (PDA)
limits for a safe foundation 3.
to perform as required Static Load Test

Kentledge Bi-
The bearing capacity of
deep foundations Load Test Directional
Pile Jack-in Load Test
Load Test
To study the behavior of
pile settlement under the
applied loads
 Static Load Test

a) The general testing method is to impose a static vertical load on a test pile for certain duration
and with increment on loads intervals and required cycles.
b) Static load test differs from the statnamic load test and dynamic load testing in that the
pressure applied to the pile is slower.
c) Static load test can be executed by Kentledge or Pile Jack-in Machine.

Kentledge Load Test Jack-in Machine Load Test

a) Kentledge refers concrete weights Jack-in machine and steel beam

used in load testing. This method sections makes up the whole static load
involves the construction of a test systems in which the hydraulic jack
platform upon which massive weights impose vertical force on the test pile.
are placed.
b) These weights bear down on the pile
putting it under load.
c) Gauges measure resistance,
movement of the pile, and other
readings to determine the properties
of the ground
 Method of Testing for
Static Load Test

Prior to testing, load test equipment should be completely set out on firm ground.

The kentledge / pile jack-in machine shall be placed directly on top of the centroid of a mild
steel plate which rest directly on top of the pile.

Kentledge Load Test Jack-in Machine Load Test

 Method of Testing for
Static Load Test

When vertical load is imposed, the pressure applied to the jack shall be measured by
calibrated pressure gauge.

LOAD
CELLS
LOAD
CELLS
HYDRAULIC
Scales JACKS HYDRAULIC
For JACKS
Precise
Level
V W Strain
Gauge
CABLES

LVDTs LVDTs
 Method of Testing for
Static Load Test

The pile is tested from zero landing to 2 times of the working load design for the pile.
Testing will be done in 2 cycles, 1st cycles for 100% of working load, 2nd cycle for 200% of
working load.
The load increments shall be 25% of working load with
minimum holding time of 2 hours. For load decrement, Working Min holding
Cycles
the test load shall be decreased in 4 equal stages with load (%) time (hour)
60 minutes interval. 25 2
50 2
Working Min holding 75 2
Cycles
load (%) time (hour) 100 2
25 2 125 2
50 2 150 2
nd
75 2 2 Cycles
175 2
1st Cycles 100 12 200 24
75 1 150 1
50 1 100 1
25 1 50 1
0 1 0 1
 Method of Testing for
Static Load Test

Monitoring of test pile settlement can

be done by as follows :
i. Measured by 4 LVDT connected to
data logger (As per JKR Spec).
ii. Four numbers of dial gauge which is
equally spaced out around the pile
head and connected to the
independent reference frame.

Any monitoring system shall be

supported by an auxillary system such
as an optical levelling method by
reference to a remote datum.
Scales For
Precise Level
 Static Load
Test Results

The pile tested shall be deemed to have failed if:

The total settlement under the Working

Load exceeds 12.5 mm; or

The residual settlement after removal of

the test load at working load exceeds
[(diameter of pile or diagonal width for
non-circular pile / 120) + 4] mm or 12.5 mm
whichever is the lower value; or

The total settlement under twice the

Working Load exceeds 38 mm, or 10% of
pile diameter / width whichever is the
lower value.
 Bi-Directional
Load Test
(Osterberg Cell)

Introduction

➢ The Osterberg Cell® (O-Cell®) is one of alternative method of static load testing for drilled
shafts and piles.
➢ The O-Cell is a hydraulically driven, individually calibrated, sacrificial loading device installed
within the foundation unit.
➢ Working in two directions, upward against side-shear resistance and downward against end-
bearing resistance, the O-Cell automatically separates the resistance and displacement data
for each component of the pile. The jack provides the static loading which required no
external loading / reaction system.
➢ Testing is performed until either ultimate upward or downward capacity is reached or the
maximum O-Cell stroke or load capacity is reached. Use of strain gages within the foundation
can help to determine the distribution of load throughout the foundation length.
 Bi-Directional
Load Test
(Osterberg Cell)
Objectives :
Principle of Testing

a) The test analyses and determine shear resistance and end bearing capacity of piles under
test especially is restricted site access. The cells assembly location will ideally be located
at the middle of total pile capacity (= skin friction + end bearing).
b) The main aim of positioning the assembly will be to “balance” the bi -directional forces in the
pile so that failure in one direction does not occur prematurely.
c) Two main features of bi-directional testing, which can make it preferable over top down static
load testing, are:
i. Saving in terms of cost, transport, installation and erection of kentledge, anchors or anchor
piles as well as the associated reaction system required above ground level.
ii. Significant improvement in terms of safety; assembly of a loading system at the head of
the pile is not required and the loads applied are buried.
 Bi-Directional
Load Test
(Osterberg Cell)

When the load is applied through the

The testing pile is load cell, it works in two directions.
loaded by the
embedded load cell The lower segment of the pile balances
in upward and the applied load through end bearing
downward directions load and side friction, while the upper
segment through side friction.

For measurement of the displacement of A calibrated

the cell (top and bottom parts), telltales electronic pressure
will be used. The end of telltales will be gauge will be used to
connected to LVDTs (linear vertical monitor the hydraulic
displacement transducer) to measure jack pressure
displacements
 Bi-Directional
Load Test
(Osterberg Cell)

Test Results

The total settlement under

the Working Load exceeds
12.5 mm; or

The total settlement under

twice the Working Load
exceeds 38 mm, or 10% of
pile diameter / width
whichever is the lower
value.
 Bi-Directional
Load Test
(Osterberg Cell)
Bi-Directional Installation

3. Rebar cage will put to the cell

(perpendicular) and weld together to
1. Preparation of 2. Rebar cage fabricate as a single piece with the rebar
bi-directional cell installation cage
4. During execution, the rebar cage will be
spliced together over the bored hole.
 Bi-Directional
Load Test
(Osterberg Cell)
Bi-Directional Installation

5. Attachment of the
sensors and measuring 6. Lifting of rebar 7. Rebar cages lower
apparatus. cages into bored hole. down to bored hole.
 Bi-Directional
Load Test
(Osterberg Cell)
Bi-Directional Installation

8. Rebar cages lower 9. Bi-directional instrumentation.

down to bored hole.
 Bi-Directional
Load Test
(Osterberg Cell)
Bi-directional Cell’s Cross Section

Bi-directional Cell’s Arrangement

 Dynamic Load
Test
Introduction

Dynamic Load Testing is performed using the Pile Driving Analyser (PDA). The CAPWAP
computer software is develop for PDA test data acquisition which allow full and
accurate analysis of the PDA filed data.

PDA tests is a High Strain Dynamic Load Tests which can be applied after pile
installation for concrete piles. The test consists of estimating soil resistance and its
distribution from force and velocity measurements obtained near the top of a
foundation impacted by a hammer or drop weight. The impact produces a compressive
wave that travels down the shaft of the foundation.
Dynamic Load
Test
Test Operation

When vertical load is imposed, the pressure applied to the jack shall be measured by
calibrated pressure gauge.
Dynamic Load
Test
Test Operation

A pair of strain transducers obtains the signals necessary to compute force, while
measurements from a pair of accelerometers are integrated to yield velocity. These
sensors are connected to an instrument, that records, processes and displays data and
results.
Dynamic Load
Test
Test Operation

The wave assumes an opposite direction (a reflection) when it encounters soil

resistance forces along the shaft or at the toe.

These reflections travel upward along the shaft and arrive at the pile top at times that
are related to their location along the shaft.

The sensors near the pile top take measurements that translate what is happening to
the traveling waves and make it possible to estimate soil resistance and its
distribution.
 Dynamic Load
Test
Termination of Test

The PDA test shall be terminated based on the

following conditions:
a. The mobilized capacity achieve the specified load
test
b. The induced driving stress achieves the specified
limits
c. The integrity of the pile starts to deteriorate and
unsatisfactory
d. The ultimate pile capacity is achieved to the
specified criteria.
 Dynamic Load
Test
Test Results

The pile tested shall be deemed failed if:

a. The total settlement under the

Working Load exceeds 12.5 mm; or
b. The total settlement under twice the
Working Load exceeds 38 mm
c. Pile BTA < 80%
d. Pile integrity : Damaged / Broken
e. DFN > 25mm
Statnamic Load Test
Introductions

1. Statnamic pile testing is based upon launching a reaction mass.

It works by accelerating a mass upward that in turn imparts a
load onto the foundation pile below the Statnamic device.
2. For catching the fall back of this reaction mass, Statnamic uses
unique techniques based upon gravel and hydraulic systems.
3. As the device does not rely on gravity to apply loads as in static
or drop weight testing it can be used vertically, horizontally and
inclined to test raked piles. The ability to test horizontally has
led to the method being used for lateral load testing of piles and
simulation of ship impacts on mooring bodies.
4. Test device are capable of assessing the high load carrying
capacity of deep foundations up to 30MN
Statnamic Load Test
Test Operation

1. To prepare the test, the cylinder with

pressure chamber is connected to the pile
head and the reaction mass (only 5-10% of
the load tested) is placed over the piston.

2. Statnamic loading is applied in a gradually

increasing manner and unloading is achieve
by a controlled venting of the pressure.
Statnamic Load Test
Test Operation

3. The test starts with igniting the solid fuel

propellant inside the pressure chamber,
generating high-pressure gases and
accelerating the reaction mass.

It creates a large pressure which drives the

reaction mass upward.

An equal and opposite force pushes

downward on the pile. At this moment, the
actual loading of the pile takes place.
Statnamic Load Test
Test Operation

4. The space caused by the upward

movement of the reaction mass will be
filled by gravel.
5. The gravel catches the reaction mass
and transfers the impact forces to the
subsoil.
6. The applied force, displacement and
acceleration are directly monitored. All
signals are measured by the data
acquisition system whereby the
mobilized capacity and static load
displacement behavior can
immediately be presented in a load-
displacement diagram.