Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Dynamic load test on piles is a method that can be used to evaluate pile load-
carrying capacity by applying a dynamic load. The method is valid, reliable, and helps
evaluate pile capacity quickly compared to static load tests, and one or more piles can be
tested per day as per the requirement of the project. Dynamic load test for piles is
conducted using Pile Driving Analyzer(PDA) to determine pile load capacity by
collecting and analyzing force and velocity data under drop-weight impacts. The field
data are further analyzed using Pile Wave Analysis to refine the soil parameter and
assumptions.
Determination of pile capacity from load test is recognized important, as the soil
condition surrounding the pile may be significantly modified during the
construction/installation [1]. At present, dynamic load test (DLT) on pile is practiced in
more than 40 countries to evaluate the static capacity and structural integrity of pile using
the measurement of both force and velocity. The test method of DLT has been
standardized by different relevant codes, such as ASTM 4945. In DLT, dynamic impact
is applied, signals are captured, and then static capacity, skin frictional resistance and tip
resistance of pile are obtained after post-processing of signals. In addition to the
assessment of pile’s static capacity, DLT provides information about pile driveability [2],
pile integrity and changes in cross-section (if any). DLT is significantly faster and
economical than static test, as at least two bored piles and even more driven piles can be
tested in one day with proper arrangements of DLT. In determining pile’s capacity, DLT
has several advantages over static load test in the following cases:
 Large diameter piles
 Offshore and onshore piling
 If there is space constraint to conduct static load test, especially for jetties,
flyover, bridge and other construction projects in crowded area
Moreover, the use of the formulae of static analysis is limited in bridge
construction projects, as it requires large number of borelog so that the variability in soil
deposition at the river-bed can be addressed. In order to measure skin frictional

1
resistance and pile tip resistance from static load test, pile needs to be instrumented with
strain gauges at different sections of the pile, while in DLT these can be measured
without any such instrumentation. Moreover, time after EOD (end of driving) influences
the measurements of pile capacity and skin frictional and tip resistances [5]. DLT makes
it possible to investigate “set up’ time that has a significant effect on the pile capacity
measurement, as it can be executed easily [6, 7]. Pile resistances can be reasonably
obtained from DLT in 50% shorter period after EOD, as compared to static load test. [5].
Ultimate pile capacity of a square pile (30 cm x 30 cm) from a DLT was about 75% of
that obtained from static load tests [8]. DLT is found as a useful method for predicting
pile capacity for helical pile in cohesive soil [9]. DLT predicts pile resistances reasonably
well but correlations and further analysis based on the DLT results. In recent years
researchers paid attention in numerical modelling of pile for predicting pile resistances
[10]. The objectives of the present study are to evaluate DLT in the determination of pile
capacity, shaft resistance developed on the pile surface and pile tip resistance, when the
pile is embedded in layered soils. A program DLTWAVE of Profound BV is used to
obtain the static load settlement curve of the pile by signal matching.

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 Chapter 2
EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM

In this study, seven dynamic load tests on six single vertical driven piles, along
with DLTWAVE signal matching, were conducted. DLT on steel pile was repeated by
re-driving for comparing the pile soil interaction during driving and re-driving. The sub-
surface soil exploration, near each test pile location, was carried out by conducting
standard penetration tests. In addition, undisturbed specimens were collected from
cohesive layers to determine UU triaxial tests.
Table 2.1. Experimental Program.

2.1. Test site

The test site was located near the Gumti river in Bangladesh. The Gumti river is
a tributary of the Ganges. During monsoon, the hilly river has strong and rapid current,
and its breadth is about 100 m (on an average). The Gumti river causes floods as a
common and regular phenomena. Bangladesh water development board (BWDB) took
several measures to train the river. At present, there is a bridge across the Gumti river
and the construction of the second is in progress. Moreover, the rehabilitation projects of
the existing bridges across other rivers with strong current are currently on-going.
Therefore, the site has been chosen for the investigation of pile resistance by employing
advanced technology of dynamic load test.
2.2. Soil condition

During the sub-surface exploration, standard penetration tests were conducted at

1.5 m interval up to 80 m depth below the ground level. The borelogs, as given in table 2
and table 3, demonstrate that different layers of SP-SC, SC, ML and CL soil layers exist

3
at the test sites, according to unified soil classification system. SC and CL types of soils
are most commonly encountered at the test site. Deep stratum with SPT N of 50 was
found at 65 m or greater depths. According to SPT resistances, CL soil layers at the depth
up to 45 m were found stiff to very stiff, while those at greater depths were very stiff to
hard. The consistency of SC soil layers was identified as medium dense type. In the
laboratory, UU triaxial tests were carried out on undisturbed cohesive specimens, and the
undisturbed shear strength varies from 45 to 129 kPa. The water level was found to vary
from 0-5 m above the river bed, as of June 2017. The specimen collected from SC soil
layer was tested in direct shear test apparatus, and the angle of internal friction was found
between 32° and 37°. During SPT, N60 of SC soil layer gave a value ranging from 12 to
14.

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 Chapter 3
DYNAMIC PILE LOAD TEST

Dynamic load test was carried out with two pairs bolt-on strain and acceleration
transducers (sensors) attached to diagonally opposite sides of pile at some distance (1.5
times pile diameter) below the pile head (figure 1). This high strain dynamic pile test
conforms ASTM D4945 standard. For connecting sensors to the pile, anchor bolts and
welded mounting block were used for concrete and steel piles, respectively. The
compressive stress wave that was generated by the strike of driving hammer, travels
down the piles and reflects upward from the pile toe. The reflected stress waves are
picked up by the transducers and the signals are stored in the computer. The overall
arrangement of dynamic load test is shown in figure 3.1

Figure 3.1. Transducers mounted on pile surface: (a) schematic diagram,

(b) cast-in-place
While striking pile by falling a heavy hammer from a pre-determined height, the strain
transducers attached to the pile measure induced strains, whereas accelerometers record
the accelerations generated in the pile. The Pile Driving Analyzer converts strain into
force, and acceleration records into velocities. Both force and velocity x impedence
signals with time were recorded. The resistance developed by the pile is then a function
of force and velocity, and it includes few factors such as the quake and damping
parameters as inputs based on the soil type. The maximum pile top compression is

5
obtained by integrating the pile top velocity. A more accurate value of these parameters is
then obtained from software analysis conducted on field data.

Figure 3.2. Overall arrangement of dynamic load Test

Further the analysis is carried out in DLTWAVE (version 8.173), a signal

matching program of Profound BV. One-dimensional wave equation theory is applied to
model the pile-soil interaction. The signal matching process utilizes an iterative method,
in which the results of each analysis are compared to the actual measured pile behaviour
figure 3.2 employing wave equation theory.

Reliability of DLT results in determining static capacity is checked by field

calibration and comparing the value of static capacity obtained from DLT with that from
static load test. Customarily, both static pile load test and DLT are carried out on the
same test pile, while DLT is conducted on the same pile after a setting time after
conducting static load test; 7 days and 15 days for pile in sand and clay, respectively

6
 Figure 3.3 Signal matching in modelling pile-soil interaction using DLTWAVE.

. This study finds that static capacity obtained from DLT is found less than that from
static load test, when both the tests are conducted on the same pile. Therefore, for field
calibration, these two tests were conducted on two identical piles at the same pier
location.

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 Chapter 4
RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

The pile tips of four (out of five piles) cast in place concrete piles, tested in this
study, rest on cohesive soil bed. The undrained cohesion of clay soil, existing below the
pile tip, was determined in the laboratory and the correlation between cu and N60 was
observed, as shown in figure 4. It can be noted that undrained cohesion is found greater
for lean clay with significant portion of fine sand than that obtained for lean clay only,
though the N60 is the same for both of them.

In this study, the results of dynamic load test were calibrated by comparing the
static capacity obtained from static and dynamic load tests, conducted on two identical
cast in place piles (1.5 m in diameter and 45.1 m in length) at location of Abutment 1.
Both the tests gave static capacity of pile within acceptable range: 1336 ton from static
load test and 1006 ton from DLT.

In the prediction of pile tip resistance in low plastic clay, both DLT and undrained
cohesion (estimated from SPT N60) in the formula of static analysis follow the same
trend-line with respect to N60 (shown in figure 5) for the test site near the Gumti river.
While analyzing the influence of soil below the pile tip, clay soil was found to produce
greater tip resistance than clayey sand though the value of N60 remained the same (figure
4.1).
The skin frictional resistance predicted from the formula of static analysis and
DLTWAVE signal matching, is compared in table 5. It can be noted that skin friction
during re-drive test is found greater that that obtained from initial drive. When the greater
portion of pile length is in contact with clay soil (e.g., CL in present investigation) and its
consistency is ‘very stiff to hard’, skin frictional resistance is found significantly greater
than those obtained from the formula of static analysis. This indicates that much less skin
frictional resistance was developed at the contact between ‘very stiff to hard’ clay and the
pile surface than expected from the formula of static analysis.

8
Figure 4.1 1Undrained cohesion versus N60

Figure 4.2 Pile tip resistance versus N60

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 Chapter 5
PILE AND TEST PREPARATION

 Dynamic load test on piles is carried out by fixing strain sensors and
accelerometers to the sides of the test pile below 1.5 times of pile diameter or
higher from the pile head top and then connecting them with PDA.
 Test pile should be extended to 1.6 times pile diameter after chipping top loose
concrete.
 In the case of the liner pile, two openings(300mm x 300mm) shall be left below
1.5 times of pile diameter from the top of the pile head for sensor fixing.

Fig 5 .1 Dynamic Load Test

 The extended pile head diameter, reinforcement and grade of concrete should be
the same as the actual pile. A higher grade of concrete mix can be used for pile
head built up if required after special approval from the authority. \
 Vertical and helical reinforcement shall also be extended to avoid cracking of
concrete under hammer impact. 
 A reinforcement mesh must be provided at the top of the pile reinforcement, as
shown in the test pile drawing. 
 Concrete at the sensor level shall be smooth, hard and uniform.
 It is necessary to ensure that the pile top has sound concrete, and it should be even
and flat at the top. The pile sides also shall be reasonably uniform in diameter.

10
  After grinding, a flat surface is prepared to fix the sensors.
 Sometimes a pile top cushion consisting of sheets of plywood with a total
thickness between 25mm to 50mm or as directed by the Test Engineer shall be
placed on the top of the pile head before testing. 
 The extended pile head diameter, reinforcement and grade of concrete should be
the same as the actual pile. A higher grade of concrete mix can be used for pile
head built up if required after special approval from the authority. 
 Vertical and helical reinforcement shall also be extended to avoid cracking of
concrete under hammer impact. 
 A reinforcement mesh must be provided at the top of the pile reinforcement, as
shown in the test pile drawing. 
 Concrete at the sensor level shall be smooth, hard and uniform.
 It is necessary to ensure that the pile top has sound concrete, and it should be even
and flat at the top. The pile sides also shall be reasonably uniform in diameter.
 After grinding, a flat surface is prepared to fix the sensors.
 Sometimes a pile top cushion consisting of sheets of plywood with a total
thickness between 25mm to 50mm or as directed by the Test Engineer shall be
placed on the top of the pile head before testing. 
5.1 Pile Monitoring and Analysis:
 After 15 days of pile installation, a dynamic load test on piles may be carried out,
providing the cube compressive strength of pile concrete and built-up portion
concrete has achieved the required strength. 
 High Strain dynamic load test for piles is conducted by fixing strain transducers
and accelerometers to the sides of the pile shaft. The sensors, as mentioned above,
are connected to the PDA through the main cable. 
 First of all, sensors record strain and acceleration measurements and convert them
from analogue to digital form and display them on PDA screens.
  Dynamic load test for piles is started by impacting the pile head with a hammer
blow, starting with a smaller drop height (typically 0.5m). This is to ensure the
correctness of the data and the setup arrangements.

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  Each hammer blow, the strain transducers measure strains, whereas accelerations
are measured by accelerometers connected on the other sides of the test pile. 
 By integration, these signals are converted to digital form by the equipment and
then converted to force and velocity. 
 PDA displays immediate field results in the form of the mobilized capacity, pile
top compression, integrity, stresses etc., are shown after each hammer blow

The force and velocity curve shall be as per ASTM D4945. 

 Dynamic load test on piles is continued by increasing the hammer height by
around 0.5m increments until either the pile set or the pile capacity reaches the
required or limiting values.
 The limiting value for the pile capacity would be the test load at which settlement
would be 3-4mm per blow. In other words, a test can be terminated when
settlement is more than 3-4mm per blow.
 Generally, the pile capacity shall be considered fully mobilized if the energy
levels due to hammer impact are enough to cause a measurable net displacement
of at least 3-4mm per blow for a minimum of three successive impacts.
 Suppose the pile settlement is less than 3-4mm per blow and the pile achieves the
required capacity. In that case, it implies that not all the static pile resistance has

12
 been mobilized and that the pile still has some capacity that could not be
measured or was not required to be measured at the time of testing. 
 After combining measured field data with the pile wave equation, an analytical
method can predict the static bearing capacity of the test pile and the distribution
of soil resistance.
 Recorded force and velocity data is straight input as obtained from field
measurements.
 Depending on the measured velocity, the program computes the force required to
cause the imposed velocity. 
 Both measured and computed forces are plotted as a function of time. 
 The interactive analysis is continued until a good match quality between both the
curves is received. 
 If the match quality is not satisfactory, the soil resistances at the pile point and
along the pile shaft are adjusted until a good match is found. 
 This provides a better judgment of the actual static pile capacity measured during
the field dynamic load test on piles and the friction and end-bearing components.
 A good match is obtained when match quality is less than five tor bored piles.
However, there may be exceptions that shall be acceptable when justifiable. 
 A graphical printout can be obtained on-site, which shall include input and output
quantities, the force/velocity response graph, the upward and downward wave
time response graph, the static and dynamic resistance-time graph, the energy
time and displacement time graph shall be presented along with the following key
input and output results,
5.2 Input Parameters Dynamic Load Test on Piles:
 Pile No.
 Date and time of test
 The pile length below gauges (LE)
 The adopted pile wave speed at the pile head and the overall wave speed
 The wave return time (2L/c)
 The pile modulus at the transducer location
 The pile specific weight

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  The pile area at the transducer location (AR)
 The pile impedance
 The Case Method damping factor(Jc)

5.3 Output Parameters for Dynamic Load Test on Piles:

 The maximum force applied(FMX)
 The maximum energy imparted to the pile (EMX)
 The maximum displacement of the pile head (DMX)
 The pile capacity estimate(RMX, RSU)
 Force velocity proportionality(FVP)
 The maximum compressive stress in a pile (CSX)
 The maximum tensile stress in a pile (TSX)
 Estimated finalnile set(DEN)
The final report contains all aspects of pile monitoring. The report will
incorporate the results of CAPWAP analysis and a plot of simulated static load test curve
with all the output mentioned in the introduction that satisfies all the requirements of a
standard dynamic load test on piles.

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5.3 Limitation of Dynamic Load Test on Piles:
 Although the method can be used to predict skin friction and end bearing along the
length of the pile, these values should be used with caution as the CAPWAP is an
iterative procedure.
 Further, this separation also depends on pile geometry, reliability of soil bore log, and
movement of the pile under repetitive impacts.
 Unlike static testing, the evaluation of dynamic pile test results requires an
experienced engineer trained in interpreting the results.

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 Chapter 6
ADVANTAGES

 Efficient pile design requires an understanding of the engineering properties of

the site, the pile, and the complex changes that occur during installation.
Engineers usually specify tests to verify the resistance and the behavior of the
hammer-pile-soil combination. Static testing requires significant time and
expense.

 A dynamic test monitors the response of the pile-soil system during hammer
impact, investigates installation parameters and resistance, and confirms pile
integrity.

 The usability and reliability of dynamic tests have improved with better
instrumentation and computing capabilities.

 Dynamic tests are relatively inexpensive, cause only minor delay to the project,
can be performed on any accessible pile, and are now routinely used for both
driven and drilled piles.

 An impact weight of only 1.5% of the desired static resistance provides a low-cost
alternative when testing high-capacity piles. Multiple restrikes allow the engineer
to investigate changes in driven pile resistance with time and improve the
foundation design.

 A refined wave equation analysis using the dynamic test results provides reliable
installation criteria.

 This paper discusses the advantages of dynamic testing, with specific examples to
illustrate its value to verify static resistance, to investigate time effects on
resistance, to refine installation criteria, and to address quality control issues

16
 Chapter 7
CONCLUSION

Based on the results of geotechnical investigation (such as SPT), undrained

cohesion determined from laboratory investigation on undisturbed specimens and
Dynamic Load Test (DLT), the following conclusion may be drawn:
 Both DLT and the formula of static analysis gave a unique trend-line with respect
to N60 (shown in Figure 3) for the test site near the Gumti river.
 Clay soil was found to produce greater tip resistance than clayey sand though
the value of N60
 remained the same.
 The greater the pile surface is in contact with very stiff to hard clay, the smaller
the skin friction developed according DLT signal matching. This observation is
found less pronounced for ‘stiff to very stiff’ consistency of clay soil than that for
‘very stiff to hard’ consistency.
Skin frictional resistance in re-drive test is found greater than that
obtained from DLT during initial drive

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 Chapter 8

REFERENCES
[1] Rausche, F., Likins, G., & Hussein, M. H. (2008). Analysis of post-
installation dynamic load test data for capacity evaluation of deep
foundations. From Research to Practice in Geotechnical Engineering pp
312-30
[2] Hussein, M. H., Woerner, II, W. A., Sharp, M., & Hwang, C. (2006). Pile
driveability and bearing capacity in high-rebound soils. GeoCongress
2006: Geotechnical Engineering in the Information Technology Age pp 1-
4
[3] Rausche, F., Goble, G. G., & Likins Jr, G. E. (1985). Dynamic
determination of pile capacity. Journal of Geotechnical Engineering,
111(3), 367-383
[4] Rausche, F., Likins, G., Liang, L., & Hussein, M. (2010). Static and dynamic
models for CAPWAP signal matching. Art of foundation engineering
practice pp 534-53
[5] Abu-Farsakh, M. Y., Haque, M. N., & Tsai, C. (2017). A full-scale field
study for performance evaluation of axially loaded large-diameter cylinder
piles with pipe piles and PSC piles. Acta Geotechnica, 12(4), pp 753-72

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