Limitations and risk related to static capacity testing of piles – “unfortunate case” studies

Abstract

Static load testing of foundation piles is still considered the main capacity check technology for almost any kind of piling works (bored, displacement, driven). The rates of load, time increments or imposed displacement are the key factors for various testing methods. The load-displacement relationship, which can be transformed into a coordinate system, is always the point of departure for the analysis of the results. For axis (vertical) loading, both, applied load and measured pile head settlement are examined during the entire test. During the lateral capacity tests, the horizontal displacement and inclination of free pile head is measured. In either case, all recorded values must be thoroughly examined in order to avoid systematic errors which could flaw the results of the analysis. In this paper, the authors gather and discuss their experience from field tests in which equipment malfunctions or external circumstances had the impact on the range of load test and, thus, their results. The possible ways of test extrapolation with regard to load range are also the subject of further observations presented in this publication.