PILE TESTS

Pile tests are necessary to:
determine the expected settlement of the pile at working load or at some multiple thereof;
determine the ultimate bearing capacity of the pile; and/or
check the pile integrity (structural soundness).
In this unit, we will illustrate and describe some of the methods of testing piles. The tests described include both the static and the dynamic methods.
Methods of Testing Piles
There are many methods of testing piles. These methods can be grouped into three categories:
the static load principle,
the dynamic load principle, and
other tests.
For tests based on the static load principle, the load applied to the test pile is static, that is, not moving. Two types of tests based on the static load principle are:
the maintained load test (ML), and
the constant rate of penetration (CRP) test.
For tests based on the dynamic load principle, the load applied is dynamic, that is, moving or vibrating. Three types of tests based on the dynamic load principle are:
the driving formula test,
the Case-Goble test, and
the steady state dynamic response test.
Other tests include:
the sonic test, and
the coring test.