Influence of time on the bearing capacity of precast piles

One of the most popular types of foundations in layered subsoil with very differentiated soil shear strengths are precast piles. One of the reasons is the fact that we can well control the driving process during the installation of these piles. The principles of the assessment of bearing capacity and settlements of the piles given by Eurocode 7, concentrate on two main methods, i.e., Static Pile Load Tests (SPLT) and Dynamic Driving Analysis (PDA). However, the evaluation of real load-settlement curve for piles being driven in layered subsoil, where noncohesive and cohesive soils occur alternately, is neither easy nor straightforward. In the paper, the results of both SPLT and PDA tests for objects on the highways in Poland are presented. Field investigations carried out at various time points since the installation of piles (from 7 to 90 days) revealed an increase of bearing capacity with time. The reason for this may be a change of the soil state near the piles due to their driving (displacement of piles) as well as a change of microstructure at the contact between soil and pile shaft. The results of load tests were referred to the geotechnical parameters of the subsoil, which was recognized by means of traditional borings and CPTU tests. The results of tests allow phenomena occurring with time to be assessed and bearing capacity of precast piles to be predicted.