Title: INTRODUCTION TO STATIC ANALYSIS
 1INTRODUCTION TO STATIC ANALYSIS 
PDPI 2011 
 2Design Considerations
- Insertion of piles generally alters soil 
character, and intense stresses are set up near 
piles  - Complex soil-pile interaction
 
Therefore, it is necessary to use practical 
semi-empirical design methods 
 3Solution Requires Thorough Information  
Understanding of
- Foundation loads 
 - Subsurface conditions  soil/rock properties 
 - Current practices in pile design  construction
 
  4Strength ConsiderationsTwo Failure Modes
- 1. Pile structural failure 
 - controlled by allowable driving stresses 
 - 2. Soil failure 
 -  controlled by factor of safety (ASD) resistance 
factors (LRFD)  - In addition, driveability is evaluated by wave 
equation 
  5Vol. One Pile Manual Chapter 9 STATIC ANALYSIS 
DRIVEN PILES
? Introduction ? Single pile design issues ? 
Group design issues ? Special design 
considerations ? Additional design and  
construction considerations 
 6STATIC ANALYSIS METHODS
Static analysis methods and computer solutions 
are used to  
? Calculate pile length for loads ? Determine 
number of piles ? Determine most cost effective 
pile type ? Calculate foundation settlement ? 
Calculate performance under uplift 
and lateral loads  
 7STATIC ANALYSIS METHODS
Static analysis methods and computer solutions 
are an integral part of the design 
process. Static analysis methods are necessary to 
determine the most cost effective pile type.
For a given pile type 
- calculate capacity 
- determine pile length
Bid Quantity
- determine number of piles 
 8STATIC ANALYSIS METHODS
Foundation designer must know design loads and 
performance requirements. Many static analysis 
methods are available.
- methods in manual are relatively simple
- methods provide reasonable agreement with full 
scale tests 
- other more sophisticated methods could be used
Designer should fully know the basis for, 
limitations of, and applicability of a chosen 
method. 
 9BASICS OF STATIC ANALYSIS
Static capacity is the sum of the soil/rock 
resistances along the pile shaft and at the pile 
toe. Static analyses are performed to determine 
ultimate pile capacity and the pile group 
response to applied loads. The ultimate capacity 
of a pile and pile group is the smaller of the 
soil rock medium to support the pile loads or the 
structural capacity of the piles. 
 10BASICS OF STATIC ANALYSIS
Static analysis calculations of deformation 
response to lateral loads and pile group 
settlement are compared to the performance 
criteria established for the structure. Static 
analyses are performed using geotechnical 
evaluation of soil properties from laboratory 
test, standard penetration test results, or 
in-situ test data. On many projects, multiple 
static analyses are required. 
 11TWO STATIC ANALYSIS ARE OFTEN REQUIRED
1. Design stage soil profile with sourable and/or 
unsuitable soils removed  establish a pile tip 
elevation to accommodate the appropriate load 
(LRFD, ASD) 2. Construction stage soil 
profile, establish the soil resistance provided 
by soil profile at time of pile installation. 
This is the target resistance and includes 
scourable and unsuitable soils. This value 
should be shown on the plans. 
 12ULTIMATE CAPACITY, ASD
- Qu  (Design Load x FS)  other 
 - Other could be the resistance provided by 
scourable soil  - Other could be the resistance provided by 
Liquefiable soil  - Other is soil resistance at the time of driving 
  -  not present later during the design life of the 
pile 
  13ULTIMATE CAPACITY, LRFD
- Qu (Sfi Qi)/f 
 - Qi  various load components 
 -  fi  load factors 
 -  f  resistance factor 
 - ASD, LRFD, regardless-a target capacity is 
shown on plans  
  14TWO STATIC ANALYSIS ARE OFTEN REQUIRED
First analysis with scourable soil removed, this 
will give us required pile length for the 
required capacity.
Second analysis with scourable soil in place and 
with pile length from first analysis, this will 
give us our ultimate static resistance at time 
of driving
Liquefaction ? 
 15The Pile Design is not complete until the pile 
 has been driven 
 16TWO STATIC ANALYSIS REQUIRED
This is the profile that the Contractor sees
9 - 4 
 17TWO STATIC ANALYSIS REQUIRED
This is the profile that Contractor sees
9 - 4 
 18COHESIONLESS SOILS
densification
9 - 7 
 19COHESIVE SOILS
H
H  heave
high pore water pressure increase and decrease in 
effective stress, time effects 
b
3b
9 - 7 
 20LOAD TRANSFER
The ultimate pile capacity is typically expressed 
as the sum of the shaft and toe resistances Qu  
Rs  Rt This may also be expressed in terms of 
unit resistances Qu  fs As  qt At The above 
equations assume that the ultimate shaft and toe 
resistances are simultaneously developed. 
 21LOADTRANSFER
Qu
Axial Load vs Depth
Soil Resistance vs Depth
Rs  0
Rs
Rt
Rt
Uniform
Rt
Rs
Triangular
9 - 9
Rs
Rt 
 22STUDENT EXERCISE 1
Figure 9.7 on page 12 shows the effect of water 
table location on effective stresses. Low water 
table results in higher effective stresses, 
higher shear strength, and therefore higher 
driving resistances 
 23DESIGN SOIL STRENGTH PARAMETERS
Most of the static analysis methods in 
cohesionless soils use the soil friction angle 
determined from laboratory tests or SPT N 
values. In coarse granular deposits, the soil 
friction angle should be chosen conservatively.
What does this mean ?? 
 24DESIGN SOIL STRENGTH PARAMETERS
In soft, rounded gravel deposits, use a maximum 
soil friction angle, ?, of 32 for shaft 
resistance calculations. In hard, angular gravel 
deposits, use a maximum friction angle of 36 for 
shaft resistance calculations. 
 25DESIGN SOIL STRENGTH PARAMETERS
In cohesive soils, accurate assessments of the 
soil shear strength and consolidation properties 
are needed for static analysis. The sensitivity 
of cohesive soils should be known during the 
design stage so that informed assessments of pile 
driveability and soil setup can be made. 
 26DESIGN SOIL STRENGTH PARAMETERS
For a cost effective design with any static 
analysis method, the foundation designer must 
consider time dependent soil strength 
changes. Ignore set up --- uneconomical Ignore 
relaxation --- unsafe 
 27FACTOR OF SAFETY SELECTION
Historically, the range in factor of safety has 
depended upon the reliability of a particular 
static analysis method with consideration of 
? Level of confidence in the input parameters ? 
Variability of soil and rock ? Method of static 
analysis ? Effects of, and consistency of 
proposed pile installation method ? Level of 
construction monitoring 
 28FACTORS OF SAFETY, ASD
The factor of safety used in a static analysis 
should be based on the construction control 
method specified.
Construction Control Method Factor of Safety
Static load test with wave equation analysis 2.00
Dynamic testing with wave equation analysis 2.25
Indicator piles with wave equation analysis 2.50
Wave equation analysis 2.75
Gates dynamic formula 3.50
9 - 14 
 29EXAMPLE SOIL PROFILE 
 30EXAMPLE SOIL PROFILE
Ultimate Capacity Qu  Rs1  Rs2  Rs3 Rt
Design Load Qa  (Rs3  Rt) / FS
Soil Resistance to Driving
SRD  Rs1  Rs2  Rs3 Rt
(with no soil strength changes)
SRD  Rs1  Rs2 / 2  Rs3 Rt
(with clay soil strength change) 
 31LRFD for Driven Piles /Drilled Shafts Axial 
Loading 
- Traditional allowable stress design 
 -  (1) 
 - In plain English 
 - the design load may not exceed the allowable 
load, taken as the ultimate capacity divided by a 
factor of safety  
  32LRFD Load and Resistance Factor Design
- The following inequality must be satisfied 
 -  (2) 
 - In plain English 
 - the summation of factored force effects must not 
exceed the summation of factored resistances  
  33 (2) 
- where 
 -  
 - gi  load factor a multiplier applied to force 
effects  - Qi  force effect on the foundation resulting 
from loads applied to the structure and 
corresponding to a specific limit state (may be 
axial, lateral, or moment)  - ji  resistance factor for resistance component i 
 - Ri  nominal value of resistance component i 
 
  34 - Ideally, resistance factors are established 
through probabilistic reliability analyses of 
load test results, calibrated to a target 
probability of failure (e.g., 1 in 1,000)  - In practice, development of resistance factors 
for deep foundations is a work in progress and is 
based in part on probabilistic analyses but with 
adjustments to match designs based on historic 
practice (ASD) and judgment  
  35(No Transcript) 
 36Equation 2 is to be satisfied for all potential 
failure modes or limit states
- Strength Limit States 
 - ultimate axial resistance 
 - Service Limit States 
 - limits deformations to tolerable values 
 - Extreme Event Limit States 
 - e.g., earthquake, scour, impact 
 
  37Static Analysis- Single Piles
- Methods for estimating axial static 
 - resistance of soils 
 
  38Soil Mechanics Review
- Angle of friction 
 - Undrained shear strength 
 - Unconfined Compression Strength
 
  39STATIC CAPACITY OF PILES IN COHESIONLESS 
SOILS 
 40Cohesionless Soils, Drained Strength
Normal Force, N
F  N µ
Friction Force, F
 µ  coefficient of friction between 
material 1 and material 2
1
2
Tan (?)  F/N
F  N TAN (?) 
Soil on Soil, we use ? Soil on Pile, we use d 
? phi  angle such that TAN (?) is coefficient of 
friction between materials 1 and 2 
 41METHODS OF STATIC ANALYSIS FOR PILES IN COHESIONLESS SOILS METHODS OF STATIC ANALYSIS FOR PILES IN COHESIONLESS SOILS METHODS OF STATIC ANALYSIS FOR PILES IN COHESIONLESS SOILS METHODS OF STATIC ANALYSIS FOR PILES IN COHESIONLESS SOILS METHODS OF STATIC ANALYSIS FOR PILES IN COHESIONLESS SOILS METHODS OF STATIC ANALYSIS FOR PILES IN COHESIONLESS SOILS
Method Approach Design Parameters Advantages Disadvantages Remarks
Meyerhof Method Empirical Results of SPT tests. Widespread use of SPT test and input data availability. Simple method to use. Non reproducibility of N values. Not as reliable as the other methods presented in this chapter. Due to non reproducibility of N values and simplifying assumptions, use should be limited to preliminary estimating purposes.
Brown Method Empirical Results of SPT tests based of N60 values. Widespread use of SPT test and input data availability. Simple method to use. N60 values not always available. Simple method based on correlations with 71 static load test results. Details provided in Section 9.7.1.1b.
Nordlund Method. Semi- empirical Charts provided by Nordlund. Estimate of soil friction angle is needed. Allows for increased shaft resistance of tapered piles and includes effects of pile-soil friction coefficient for different pile materials. No limiting value on unit shaft resistance is recommended by Nordlund. Soil friction angle often estimated from SPT data. Good approach to design that is widely used. Method is based on field observations. Details provided in Section 9.7.1.1c.
Experience
N
Part Theory Part Experience
FHWA
9-19 
 42METHODS OF STATIC ANALYSIS FOR PILES IN COHESIONLESS SOILS METHODS OF STATIC ANALYSIS FOR PILES IN COHESIONLESS SOILS METHODS OF STATIC ANALYSIS FOR PILES IN COHESIONLESS SOILS METHODS OF STATIC ANALYSIS FOR PILES IN COHESIONLESS SOILS METHODS OF STATIC ANALYSIS FOR PILES IN COHESIONLESS SOILS METHODS OF STATIC ANALYSIS FOR PILES IN COHESIONLESS SOILS
Method Approach Design Parameters Advantages Disadvantages Remarks
Effective Stress Method. Semi-empirical Soil classification and estimated friction angle for ß and Nt selection. ß value considers pile-soil friction coefficient for different pile materials. Soil resistance related to effective overburden pressure. Results effected by range in ß values and in particular by range in Nt chosen. Good approach for design. Details provided in Section 9.7.1.3.
Methods based on Cone Penetration Test (CPT) data. Empirical Results of CPT tests. Testing analogy between CPT and pile. Reliable correlations and reproducible test data. Limitations on pushing cone into dense strata. Good approach for design. Details provided in Section 9.7.1.7.
9-19 
 43Nordlund Data Base
Timber, H-piles, Closed-end Pipe, Monotube, 
Raymond Step-Taper
Pile Types Pile Sizes Pile Loads
Pile widths of 250  500 mm (10 - 20 in)
Ultimate pile capacities of 350 -2700 kN (40 -300 
tons)
Nordlund Method tends to overpredict capacity of 
piles greater than 600 mm (24 in)
9-25 
 44Nordlund Method
Considers
1. The friction angle of the soil.
2. The friction angle of the sliding surface.
3. The taper of the pile.
4. The effective unit weight of the soil.
5. The pile length.
6. The minimum pile perimeter.
7. The volume of soil displaced.
9-25 
 459-27 
 46Nordlund Method
For a pile of uniform cross section (?0) and 
embedded length D, driven in soil layers of the 
same effective unit weight and friction angle, 
the Nordlund equation becomes 
RS
RT
9-26 
 47Nordlund Shaft Resistance
- K?  coefficient of lateral earth pressure 
 - CF  correction factor for K? when ? ? ? 
 - pd  effective overburden pressure at center of 
layer  -   friction angle between pile and soil 
 - Cd  pile perimeter 
 - D  embedded pile length 
 
Figures 9.11 - 9.14
Figure 9.15
Figure 9.10 
 48Nordlund Toe Resistance
RT  ?T Nq pT AT 
Lesser of
RT  qL AT
- ?T  dimensionless factor 
 - Nq  bearing capacity factor 
 - AT  pile toe area 
 - pT  effective overburden pressure at pile toe 
 150 kPa  - qL  limiting unit toe resistance
 
Figure 9.16a
Figure 9.16b
Figure 9.17 
 49Nordlund Method
Ru  RS  RT 
and 
Qa  RU / FS, ASD
FS based on construction control method as in 
Table 9-1 
 50Nordlund Method Procedure
Steps 1 through 6 are for computing shaft 
resistance and steps 7 through 9 are for 
computing the pile toe resistance (cookbook)
STEP 1 Delineate the soil profile into layers 
and determine the ? angle for each layer
- Construct po diagram using procedure described in 
Section 9.4.  - Correct SPT field N values for overburden 
pressure using Figure 4.4 from Chapter 4 and 
obtain corrected SPT N' values. Delineate soil 
profile into layers based on corrected SPT N' 
values.  - Determine ? angle for each layer from laboratory 
tests or in-situ data.  - In the absence of laboratory or in-situ test 
data, determine the average corrected SPT N' 
value, N', for each soil layer and estimate ? 
angle from Table 4-5 in Chapter 4. 
9-28 
 51Nordlund Method Procedure
STEP 2 Determine ?, the friction angle between 
the pile and soil based on the displaced soil 
volume, V, and the soil friction angle, ?.
- Compute volume of soil displaced per unit length 
of pile, V.  - Enter Figure 9.10 with V and determine ?/? ratio 
for pile type.  - Calculate ? from ?/? ratio.
 
9-28 
 52Relationship Between Soil Displacement, V, and ?/?
V  0.11
0.25
0.75
?/?  0.70
e  Raymond uniform piles f  H-piles g  tapered 
portion of Monotube piles
a  closed-end pipe and non-tapered Monotube 
piles b  timber piles c  pre-cast concrete 
piles d  Raymond Step-Taper piles 
 53Relationship Between Soil Displacement, V, and ?/?
V  1.0
?/?  0.65
e  Raymond uniform piles f  H-piles g  tapered 
portion of Monotube piles
a  closed-end pipe and non-tapered Monotube 
piles b  timber piles c  pre-cast concrete 
piles d  Raymond Step-Taper piles 
 54Nordlund Method Procedure
STEP 3 Determine the coefficient of lateral 
earth pressure K? for each soil friction 
angle, ?.
- Determine K? for each ? angle based on displaced 
volume V, and pile taper angle, ?, using 
appropriate procedure in steps 3b, 3c, 3d, or 3e.  - If displaced volume is 0.0093, 0.093, or 0.930 
m3/m and the friction angle is 25, 30, 35, or 40, 
use Figures 9.11 to 9.14.  - If displaced volume is given but ? angle is not. 
Linear interpolation is required to determine K? 
for ? angle. 
9-28 
 55K? versus ?
?  25?
Figure 9.11
9-33 
 56K? versus ?
?  30?
Figure 9.12
9-34 
 57Nordlund Method Procedure
STEP 3 Determine the coefficient of lateral 
earth pressure K? for each soil friction 
angle, ?.
- If displaced volume is not given but ? angle is 
given, log linear interpolation is required to 
determine K? for displaced volume V.  - If neither the displaced volume or ? angle are 
given, first use linear interpolation to 
determine K? for ? angle and then use log linear 
interpolation to determine K? for the displaced 
volume, V. 
See Table 9-4 for K? as function of ? angle and 
displaced volume V
9-29 
 58Table 9-4(a) Design Table for Evaluating K? for Piles when ?  0 and V  0.0093 to 0.0930 m3/m (0.10 to 1.00 ft3/ft) Table 9-4(a) Design Table for Evaluating K? for Piles when ?  0 and V  0.0093 to 0.0930 m3/m (0.10 to 1.00 ft3/ft) Table 9-4(a) Design Table for Evaluating K? for Piles when ?  0 and V  0.0093 to 0.0930 m3/m (0.10 to 1.00 ft3/ft) Table 9-4(a) Design Table for Evaluating K? for Piles when ?  0 and V  0.0093 to 0.0930 m3/m (0.10 to 1.00 ft3/ft) Table 9-4(a) Design Table for Evaluating K? for Piles when ?  0 and V  0.0093 to 0.0930 m3/m (0.10 to 1.00 ft3/ft) Table 9-4(a) Design Table for Evaluating K? for Piles when ?  0 and V  0.0093 to 0.0930 m3/m (0.10 to 1.00 ft3/ft) Table 9-4(a) Design Table for Evaluating K? for Piles when ?  0 and V  0.0093 to 0.0930 m3/m (0.10 to 1.00 ft3/ft) Table 9-4(a) Design Table for Evaluating K? for Piles when ?  0 and V  0.0093 to 0.0930 m3/m (0.10 to 1.00 ft3/ft) Table 9-4(a) Design Table for Evaluating K? for Piles when ?  0 and V  0.0093 to 0.0930 m3/m (0.10 to 1.00 ft3/ft) Table 9-4(a) Design Table for Evaluating K? for Piles when ?  0 and V  0.0093 to 0.0930 m3/m (0.10 to 1.00 ft3/ft) Table 9-4(a) Design Table for Evaluating K? for Piles when ?  0 and V  0.0093 to 0.0930 m3/m (0.10 to 1.00 ft3/ft)
N Displaced Volume -V, m3/m, (ft3/ft) Displaced Volume -V, m3/m, (ft3/ft) Displaced Volume -V, m3/m, (ft3/ft) Displaced Volume -V, m3/m, (ft3/ft) Displaced Volume -V, m3/m, (ft3/ft) Displaced Volume -V, m3/m, (ft3/ft) Displaced Volume -V, m3/m, (ft3/ft) Displaced Volume -V, m3/m, (ft3/ft) Displaced Volume -V, m3/m, (ft3/ft) Displaced Volume -V, m3/m, (ft3/ft)
0.0093 (0.10) 0.0186 (0.20) 0.0279 (0.30) 0.0372 (0.40) 0.0465 (0.50) 0.0558 (0.60) 0.0651 (0.70) 0.0744 (0.80) 0.0837 (0.90) 0.0930 (1.00)
25 0.70 0.75 0.77 0.79 0.80 0.82 0.83 0.84 0.84 0.85
26 0.73 0.78 0.82 0.84 0.86 0.87 0.88 0.89 0.90 0.91
27 0.76 0.82 0.86 0.89 0.91 0.92 0.94 0.95 0.96 0.97
28 0.79 0.86 0.90 0.93 0.96 0.98 0.99 1.01 1.02 1.03
29 0.82 0.90 0.95 0.98 1.01 1.03 1.05 1.06 1.08 1.09
30 0.85 0.94 0.99 1.03 1.06 1.08 1.10 1.12 1.14 1.15
31 0.91 1.02 1.08 1.13 1.16 1.19 1.21 1.24 1.25 1.27
32 0.97 1.10 1.17 1.22 1.26 1.30 1.32 1.35 1.37 1.39
33 1.03 1.17 1.26 1.32 1.37 1.40 1.44 1.46 1.49 1.51
34 1.09 1.25 1.35 1.42 1.47 1.51 1.55 1.58 1.61 1.63
35 1.15 1.33 1.44 1.51 1.57 1.62 1.66 1.69 1.72 1.75
36 1.26 1.48 1.61 1.71 1.78 1.84 1.89 1.93 1.97 2.00
37 1.37 1.63 1.79 1.90 1.99 2.05 2.11 2.16 2.21 2.25
38 1.48 1.79 1.97 2.09 2.19 2.27 2.34 2.40 2.45 2.50
39 1.59 1.94 2.14 2.29 2.40 2.49 2.57 2.64 2.70 2.75
 40 1.70 2.09 2.32 2.48 2.61 2.71 2.80 2.87 2.94 3.0 
 59Nordlund Method Procedure
STEP 4 Determine the correction factor CF to be 
applied to K? if ? ? ?.
Use Figure 9.15 to determine the correction 
factor for each K?. Enter figure with ? angle and 
?/? ratio to determine CF.
9-29 
 60Correction Factor for K? when ? ? ?
Figure 9.15 
 61Nordlund Method Procedure
STEP 5 Compute the average effective 
overburden pressure at the midpoint of each 
soil layer.
STEP 6 Compute the shaft resistance in each 
soil layer. Sum the shaft from each 
layer to obtain the ultimate shaft resistance, RS.
9-30 
 62Nordlund Method Procedure
STEP 7 Determine the at coefficient and the 
bearing capacity factor, N'q, from the ? angle 
near the pile toe. 
- a. Enter Figure 9.16(a) with ? angle near pile 
toe to determine at coefficient based on pile 
length to diameter ratio.  -  
 - Enter Figure 9.16(b) with ? angle near pile toe 
to determine, N'q.  - c. If ? angle is estimated from SPT data, compute 
the average corrected SPT N' value over the zone 
from the pile toe to 3 diameters below the pile 
toe. Use this average corrected SPT N' value to 
estimate ? angle near pile toe from Table 4-5. 
9-30 
 63Nordlund Method Procedure
STEP 8 Compute the effective overburden 
pressure at the pile toe. NOTE The limiting 
value of pt is 150 kPa 
STEP 9 Compute the ultimate toe resistance, Rt.
RT  ?T Nq pT AT 
Use lesser of
Figure 9-16a and 9-16b
RT  qL AT
Figure 9-17
9-30 
 64at Coefficient versus ?
?t
? (degrees)
Figure 9.16a 
 65Figure 9.16b 
 66Limiting Unit Toe Resistance  (US)
Figure 9.17 
 67Nordlund Method Procedure
STEP 10 Compute the ultimate capacity, Qu. Qu 
 Rs  Rt
STEP 11 Compute the allowable design load, Qa.
Qa  Qu / Factor of Safety (ASD)
9-31 
 68STATIC CAPACITY OF PILES IN COHESIVE SOILS 
 69Cohesive Soils, Undrained Strength
F  Friction resistance  N  Normal force 
(stress)
C is independent of overburden pressures
c  cohesion, stickiness, soil / soil a  
adhesion, stickiness, soil / pile 
 70Unconfined Compression Strength
s1 
s3 
zero
C
C  cohesion  ½ qu
Maximum s1  unconfined compression strength, qu
s3 
 71METHODS OF STATIC ANALYSIS FOR PILES IN COHESIVE SOILS METHODS OF STATIC ANALYSIS FOR PILES IN COHESIVE SOILS METHODS OF STATIC ANALYSIS FOR PILES IN COHESIVE SOILS METHODS OF STATIC ANALYSIS FOR PILES IN COHESIVE SOILS METHODS OF STATIC ANALYSIS FOR PILES IN COHESIVE SOILS METHODS OF STATIC ANALYSIS FOR PILES IN COHESIVE SOILS
Method Approach Method of Obtaining Design Parameters Advantages Disadvantages Remarks
a-Method (Tomlinson Method). Empirical, total stress analysis. Undrained shear strength estimate of soil is needed. Adhesion calculated from Figures 9.18 and 9.19. Simple calculation from laboratory undrained shear strength values to adhesion. Wide scatter in adhesion versus undrained shear strengths in literature. Widely used method described in Section 9.7.1.2a.
Effective Stress Method. Semi-Empirical, based on effective stress at failure. ß and Nt values are selected from Table 9-6 based on drained soil strength estimates. Ranges in ß and Nt values for most cohesive soils are relatively small. Range in Nt values for hard cohesive soils such as glacial tills can be large. Good design approach theoretically better than undrained analysis. Details in Section 9.7.1.3.
Methods based on Cone Penetration Test data. Empirical. Results of CPT tests. Testing analogy between CPT and pile. Reproducible test data. Cone can be difficult to advance in very hard cohesive soils such as glacial tills. Good approach for design. Details in Section 9.7.1.7.
FHWA
9-42 
 72Tomlinson or a-Method
Unit Shaft Resistance, fs
fs  ca  acu
Where ca  adhesion (Figure 9.18) a  
empirical adhesion factor (Figure 9.19)
9-41 
 73Tomlinson or a-Method
Shaft Resistance, Rs
Rs  fs As
Where As  pile surface area in layer 
 (pile perimeter x length) 
 74Tomlinson or a-Method (US)
Figure 9.18 
 75Tomlinson or a-Method
Sand or Sandy Gravels
D
Stiff Clay
b 
 76Tomlinson or a-Method (US)
D  distance into stiff clay layer
Figure 9.19a
b  Pile Diameter
9-47 
 77Tomlinson or a-Method
Soft Clay
D
Stiff Clay
b 
 78Tomlinson or a-Method (US)
D  distance into stiff clay layer
Figure 9.19b
b  Pile Diameter
9-47 
 79Tomlinson or a-Method
D
Stiff Clay
b 
 80Tomlinson or a-Method (US)
D  distance into stiff clay layer
b  Pile Diameter
Figure 9.19c
9-47 
 81HIGHLY OVERCONSOLIDATED CLAYS
In highly overconsolidated clays, the undrained 
shear strength may exceed the upper limits of 
Figures 9.18 and 9.19. In these cases, the 
adhesion factor should be calculated according to 
API procedures based on the ratio of the 
undrained shear strength of the soil, cu, divided 
by the effective overburden pressure, po. The 
ratio of cu / po is ?.
For ?  1.0, a  0.5 ?-0.5 
For ? gt 1.0, a  0.5 ?-0.25 
9-44 
 82Tomlinson or a-Method
Unit Toe Resistance, qt
qt  cu Nc
Where cu  undrained shear strength of the 
soil at pile toe Nc  dimensionless bearing 
capacity factor (9 for deep 
foundations) 
 83Tomlinson or a-Method
Toe Resistance, Rt
Rt  qt At
The toe resistance in cohesive soils is sometimes 
ignored since the movement required to mobilize 
the toe resistance is several times greater than 
the movement required to mobilize the shaft 
resistance. 
 84Tomlinson or a-Method
Ru  RS  RT 
and 
Qa  RU / FS, ASD 
 85STUDENT EXERCISE 2
Use the a-Method described in Section 9.7.1.2a 
and the Nordlund Method described in Section 
9.7.1.1c to calculate the ultimate pile capacity 
and the allowable design load for a 12.75 inch 
O.D. closed end pipe pile driven into the soil 
profile described below. The trial pile length 
for the calculation is 63 feet below the bottom 
of pile cap excavation which extends 3 feet below 
grade. The pipe pile has a pile-soil surface 
area of 3.38 ft2/ft and a pile toe area of 0.89 
ft2. Use Figure 9.18 to calculate the shaft 
resistance in the clay layer. The pile volume is 
0.89 ft3/ft. The effective overburden at 56 
feet, the midpoint of the pile shaft in the sand 
layer is 3.73 ksf, and the effective overburden 
pressure at the pile toe is 4.31 ksf. Remember, 
the soil strengths provided are unconfined 
compression test results (cu  qu / 2). 
 86Soil Profile 
 87Solution
- We will compare this solution with the DRIVEN 
output (ie steps 1-9) 
STEP 10 Qu  Rs  Rt
 1465  410  1875 kN 
 88Calculate the Shaft Resistance in the Clay Layer 
Using a-Method
STEP 1 Delineate the soil profile and determine 
the pile adhesion from Figure 
9.18. Layer 1 qu  5.46 ksf so cu  
 D/b  
Therefore ca from Figure 9.18  
2.73 ksf
43 ft / 12.75 in  40.5
1.47 ksf 
 89ca  1.47 ksf
cu  2.73 ksf
9-45
Figure 9.18 
 90Calculate the Shaft Resistance in the Clay Layer 
Using a-Method
STEP 2 Compute the unit shaft resistance, fs, 
for each soil layer. STEP 3 Compute 
the shaft resistance in the clay 
layer. Layer 1 Rs1  ( fs1 )( As )( D1) 
fs  ca  1.47 ksf
Rs1  (1.47 ksf)(3.38 ft2/ft)(43 ft)  
213.6 kips 
 91Calculate the Shaft Resistance in the Sand Layer 
Using the Nordlund Method
STEP 1 The po diagram, soil layer determination, 
and the soil friction angle, N, for each 
soil layer were presented in the problem 
introduction. STEP 2 Determine 
. a. Compute volume of soil displaced per 
unit length of pile, V. V  0.89 ft3/ft 
(per problem description) b. Determine /N 
from Figure 9.10. V  0.89 ft3/ft 6 /N  
 or   N 
 92Relationship Between Soil Displacement, V, and ?/?
V  0.89
?/?  0.62
e  Raymond uniform piles f  H-piles g  tapered 
portion of Monotube piles
a  closed-end pipe and non-tapered Monotube 
piles b  timber piles c  pre-cast concrete 
piles d  Raymond Step-Taper piles 
 93Calculate the Shaft Resistance in the Sand Layer 
Using the Nordlund Method
STEP 1 The po diagram, soil layer determination, 
and the soil friction angle, ?, for each 
soil layer were presented in the problem 
introduction. STEP 2 Determine 
. a. Compute volume of soil displaced per 
unit length of pile, V. V  0.89 ft3/ft 
(per problem description) b. Determine /N 
from Figure 9.10. V  0.89 ft3/ft 6 /N  
 or   N  
0.62
0.62
0.62 (35)  21.7 
 94Calculate the Shaft Resistance in the Sand Layer 
Using the Nordlund Method
STEP 3 Determine K for each soil layer based on 
displaced volume, V, and pile taper angle, 
?. Layer 2 For ?  35, V  0.89 ft3/ft 
and ?  0 From Figure 9.13 
 K?  1.15 for V  0.10 ft3/ft 
 K?  1.75 for V  1.00 
ft3/ft Using log linear interpolation K? 
 1.72 for V  0.89 ft3/ft 
STEP 4 Determine correction factor, CF, to be 
applied to K? when ? ? ?. (Figure 9.15.) Layer 
2 ?  35 and ?/?  CF  
0.62 
 95Correction Factor for K? when ? ? ?
CF  0.78
?  35
Figure 9.15 
 96Calculate the Shaft Resistance in the Sand Layer 
Using the Nordlund Method
STEP 3 Determine K for each soil layer based on 
displaced volume, V, and pile taper angle, 
?. Layer 2 For ?  35, V  0.89 ft3/ft 
and ?  0 From Figure 9.13 
 K?  1.15 for V  0.10 ft3/ft 
 K?  1.75 for V  1.00 
ft3/ft Using log linear interpolation K? 
 1.72 for V  0.89 ft3/ft 
STEP 4 Determine correction factor, CF, to be 
applied to K? when ? ? ?. Layer 2 ?  35 
and ?/?  CF  
0.78
0.62 
 97Calculate the Shaft Resistance in the Sand Layer 
Using the Nordlund Method
STEP 5 Compute effective overburden pressure at 
midpoint of each soil layer, 
pd. From problem description, pd for layer 
2 is 3.73 ksf. STEP 6 Compute the shaft 
resistance for each soil layer. Rs2 
 K? CF pd sin ? Cd D  
  125.1 kips
(1.72) (0.78) (3.73 ksf) (sin 21.7) (3.38 
ft2/ft) (20 ft) 
 98Compute the Ultimate Shaft Resistance, Rs
 Rs  Rs1  Rs2 Rs  Rs  
213.6 kips  125.1 kips
338.7 kips 
 99Compute the Ultimate Toe Resistance, Rt
STEP 7 Determine at coefficient and bearing 
capacity factor N'q from ? angle of 35 at 
pile toe and Figures 9.16(a) and 
9.16(b) At pile toe depth 
 D/b  From Figure 9.16(a) at  
 From Figure 9.16(b) N'q  
66 ft / 12.75 in.  62  
 100at Coefficient versus ?
0.67
?t
?  35
? (degrees)
Figure 9.16a 
 10165
Figure 9.16b 
 102Compute the Ultimate Toe Resistance, Rt
STEP 7 Determine at coefficient and bearing 
capacity factor N'q from ? angle of 35 at 
pile toe and Figures 9.16(a) and 
9.16(b) At pile toe depth D/b  
62 From Figure 9.16(a) at  
0.67 From Figure 9.16(b) N'q  
65 STEP 8 Compute effective overburden pressure 
at pile toe. pt 
4.31 ksf. However, maximum of 3.0 ksf governs. 
 103Compute the Ultimate Toe Resistance, Rt
STEP 9 Compute the ultimate toe resistance, 
Rt. a. Rt at N'q At pt b. Rt
  qL At (qL determined from Figure 
9.17) c. Use lesser value of Rt from 
Step 9a and 9b. Therefore, Rt  
 (0.67)(65)(0.89 ft2)(3.0 ksf)  116.3 kips 
 104Limiting Unit Toe Resistance 
105
Figure 9.17 
 105Compute the Ultimate Toe Resistance, Rt
STEP 9 Compute the ultimate toe resistance, 
Rt. a. Rt at N'q At pt b. Rt
  qL At (qL determined from Figure 
9.17) c. Use lesser value of Rt from 
Step 9a and 9b. Therefore, Rt  
 (0.67)(65)(0.89 ft2)(3.0 ksf)  116.3 kips
 (105 ksf)(0.89 ft2)  93.5 kips
93.5 kips 
 106Compute the Ultimate Pile Capacity, Qu
STEP 10 Qu  Rs  Rt
 338.7  93.5 kips  432.2 kips 
 107DRIVEN COMPUTER PROGRAM
DRIVEN uses the FHWA recommended Nordlund 
(cohesionless) and a-methods (cohesive).
Can be used to calculate the static capacity of 
open and closed end pipe piles, H-piles, circular 
or square solid concrete piles, timber piles, and 
Monotube piles. 
Analyses can be performed in SI or US units.
Available at www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/geosoft.htm
9-56 
 108DRIVEN COMPUTER PROGRAM
User inputs soil profile identifying soil 
statigraphy, soil type (cohesionless or 
cohesive), soil unit weight, soil strength 
parameters (? or cu) and percentage strength loss 
during driving. 
Program analysis options include Soft 
compressible soils Scourable soils Pile 
plugging
9-56 
 109DRIVEN COMPUTER PROGRAM
DRIVEN calculates the pile capacity at the time 
of driving using user input soil strength losses 
(Driving), the capacity after time dependent 
strength changes have occurred (Restrike), and 
the capacity after extreme events (Ultimate). 
 Driving Strength Loss  1  1 / setup factor
DRIVEN generates a partial soil input file for 
the GRLWEAP wave equation program.
9-61 
 110PILES DRIVEN TO ROCK
The capacity of piles driven to rock should be 
based on driving observations, local experience, 
and load test results. RQD values from NX size 
rock cores can provide a qualitative assessment 
of rock mass quality.
What is RQD?
RQD Rock Mass Quality
90  100 Excellent
75  90 Good
50  75 Fair
25  50 Poor
0 - 25 Very Poor
9-64 
 111PILES DRIVEN TO ROCK
Except for piles driven to soft rock, the 
structural capacity of the pile will be lower 
than the geotechnical capacity of the rock to 
support a toe bearing pile. (Fair to excellent 
quality rock). The structural capacity of the 
pile (Chapter 10) then governs the pile capacity.
9-64 
 112METHODS BASED ON CPT DATA
Elsami and Fellenius 
 (9-66)
Nottingham and Schmertmann 
(9-68)
Laboratoire des Ponts et Chaussees (LPC) 
(9-75) 
 113UPLIFT CAPACITY OF SINGLE PILES
Increasingly important design consideration Source
s of uplift loads include seismic events, vessel 
impact, debris loading and cofferdam 
dewatering. The design uplift load may be taken 
as 1/3 the ultimate shaft resistance from a 
static analysis. 
 114UPLIFT CAPACITY OF SINGLE PILES
The design uplift load may be taken as 1/2 the 
ultimate tension load test failure load defined 
in Section 19.8.3 of Chapter 19. A reduction in 
the design uplift load may be necessary under 
cyclic or sustained loading conditions.
Clays  peak strength to a residual strength
Sands  particle degradation or reorientation 
 115Any Questions 
 116STATIC ANALYSIS  SINGLE PILESLATERAL CAPACITY 
METHODS
- Reference Manual Chapter 9.7.3 
 
9-82 
 117Lateral Capacity of Single Piles
- Potential sources of lateral loads include 
vehicle acceleration  braking, wind loads, wave 
loading, debris loading, ice forces, vessel 
impact, lateral earth pressures, slope movements, 
and seismic events.  - These loads can be of the same magnitude as axial 
compression loads. 
  118Lateral Capacity of Single Piles
- Historically, prescription values were used for 
lateral capacity of vertical piles, or battered 
(inclined) piles were added.  - Modern design methods are readily available which 
allow load-deflection behavior to be rationally 
evaluated. 
  119Lateral Capacity of Single Piles
- Soil, pile, and load parameters significantly 
affect lateral capacity.  - Soil Parameters 
 - Soil type  strength 
 - Horizontal subgrade reaction 
 - Pile Parameters 
 - Pile properties 
 - Pile head condition 
 - Method of installation 
 - Group action 
 - Lateral Load Parameters 
 - Static or Dynamic 
 - Eccentricity 
 
  120Lateral Capacity of Single Piles
- Design Methods 
 - Lateral load tests 
 - Analytical methods 
 - Broms method, 9-86, (long pile, short pile) 
 - Reeses COM624P method 
 - LPILE program 
 - FB-PIER
 
9-85 
 121Figure 9.36 Soil Resistance to a Lateral Pile 
Load (adapted from Smith, 1989)
9-83 
 122NIM 
 123Figure 9.44 LPILE Pile-Soil Model
9-101 
 124NIM 
 125NIM 
 126We have n equations and (n4) unknowns
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS (long pile)
_at_ Pile Bottom
Moment  0
Shear  0
_at_ Pile Top
?? 
 127Figure 9.45 Typical p-y Curves for Ductile and 
Brittle Soil (after Coduto, 1994)
9-102 
 128Figure 9.45 Typical p-y Curves for Ductile and 
Brittle Soil (after Coduto, 1994)
9-102 
 129Integrate
Differentiate
Figure 9.36 Graphical Presentation of LPILE 
Results (Reese, et al. 2000)
9-92 
 130LETS EAT !! 
 131Lets Demo DRIVEN !