A study on the Axial Capacity of Bored piles and

Correlations with SPT and CPT Data

Abdul Karim M. Zein and Enass M. Ayoub2

Abstract:
This paper presents an evaluation of the axial capacity in compression of bored
piles installed in some Sudanese soils by direct loading tests and indirect
predictive methods based on the standard and cone penetration tests (SPT, CPT)
data. The study examines the existence of relationships between pile capacities
determined from pile testing and estimated from the CPT and SPT data and
compares the pile capacities evaluated from the present study with those
predicted from previous studies for similar soil types. The study program
comprised of performing direct load tests on instrumented bored piles, drilling
boreholes and performing CPT soundings in different soil strata adjacent to the
tested piles. Strain gauges and specially designed and locally fabricated load cells
were utilized to enable separate determination of the shaft friction and end
resistance components of the total pile capacity. From analysis of the test results,
correlations have been developed between the pile shaft friction and base
resistances and the CPT and SPT data. Moreover, a comparative study was made
to evaluate the suitability of the developed correlations using published methods
based on the CPT and SPT data for predicting bored pile capacity. It was found
that the pile capacities determined in this study compare favorably with two
known published methods based on the CPT and the SPT data.
Keywords: Bored piles, pile capacity, pile load test, CPT, SPT, pile
instrumentation.
‫مستخلص‬

1. Associate Professor, Building and Road Research Institute (BRRI), (U of K)

2. MSc. Student BRRI U of K
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1. Introduction

A bored cast-in-place pile or “drilled shaft” is a system of deep foundations

used to support heavy loaded structures such as large bridges and high rise
buildings. In Sudan, bored piles have been introduced and used as a feasible
foundation system in the construction industry since the sixties of the 20th
century [1] however; the research studies carried out on the suitability of this
important foundation option for Sudanese soil conditions are still very
limited. The carrying capacities of bored piles can be evaluated from
performing full scale load tests or using some `published empirical and semi-
empirical methods. Full scale load tests are rarely feasible in the stage of
planning and are normally used to confirm a theoretically based design based
on field and laboratory test results.
Several semi-empirical methods have been developed in various countries to
relate the results of the static cone penetration test (CPT) to the carrying
capacity of piles bearing in different soil strata [2], [3], [4], and [5]. Other
methods relating the standard penetration test (SPT) results to the bearing
capacity of piles were also reported in literature; examples are those
published in [6], [7], [8], and [9]. The methods based on these two tests are
normally applied during the foundation design phase of engineering projects
but due to their empirical nature they tend to overestimate or underestimate
pile capacity determined from load tests.
The present study aims to evaluate the carrying capacity of bored piles
installed in Soba soils through performing static load tests, CPT and SPT
tests conducted on the same soil types to compare pile capacities obtained by
these methods. Furthermore, the study compares the bored pile capacity
obtained from direct load tests with those predicted according to some
published methods based on CPT and SPT.

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A comprehensive testing program was planned and undertaken at a selected
site in Khartoum area. It comprised testing of instrumented bored piles
loaded to failure, SPT determined at various depths in drilled borehole and
CPT soundings made adjacent to the tested piles locations. Instrumentations
were installed along each test pile and at its base to facilitate separate
determination of the base resistance and shaft friction components of the total
pile capacity.
Analysis was carried out on the test results to correlate the pile capacity
components with the data of the CPT and SPT. Five published methods
which include two based on the CPT [2] and [5], and three based on the SPT
[7], [8] and [9].were selected for the evaluation of the capacity of the piles
tested in the present study.

2. Study site and subsoil conditions

The study was undertaken at an experimental site located within the Building
and Road Research Institute (BRRI) Brick Factory compound in Soba West
Suburb in southern eastern Khartoum. Four boreholes were drilled to 7.0m
depth and four CPT soundings were also made using a 20 tons capacity
penetrometer equipped with a standard adhesion jacket cone to investigate
the subsurface conditions. The boreholes and CPT soundings were placed at
1.0 to 1.5m distances from the respective locations of the planned pile load
tests are shown in Fig. 1.

The soil profile at the study site indicated the presence alluvium soil strata of
medium dense light brown clayey sand (SC) underlain by very stiff to hard
dark brown silty clay of high plasticity (CH). The latter overlies a clay silt of
low plasticity (ML) which was underlain by a layer of poorly graded medium
dense to very dense sand extending down to the bottom of the drilled
boreholes. . The pile load tests were carried out on fully instrumented bored
piles with different lengths and diameters as described in following section.

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 Fig 1: Layout of the locations of boreholes, CPT soundings and pile load
tests on site plan

3. Pile load test methodology

3.1 Test Pile Instrumentation
Details of the sizes of the instrumented bored piles tested and their relative
embedment depths in the various subsurface strata are summarized as shown
a table (1)

Table (1) the tested bored piles and their embedment depth
Pile Pile Pile Portions Embedment in
Bored Pile Various Soil Strata (m)
Diameter Length
Designation
(mm) (m) CL SC CH ML SM
TPA-1 200 3.5 - 2 1.5 - -
TPA-2 200 5.0 - 2 2.5 0.5 -
TPA-3 200 6.0 - 2 2.5 1 0.5

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 Pile Pile Pile Portions Embedment in
Bored Pile Various Soil Strata (m)
Diameter Length
Designation
(mm) (m) CL SC CH ML SM
TPB-1 300 3.5 - 2 1.5 - -
TPB-2 300 5.0 - 2 2.5 - 0.5
TPB-3 300 6.0 2.5 - 2.5 - 1.0
TPC-1 400 3.5 - 2 1.5 - -
TPC-2 400 5.0 - 2 2.5 0.5 -

Pile Instrumentation was achieved by installation of strain gauge pairs at

various depths along its shaft and a load cell placed below its base as shown
in Figure 2. Some details of the three types of base load cells used in testing
are shown in Plate 1.

Fig. 2: Instrumentation Details for TPA- Plate 1: Type of load cells

The load cells were initially calibrated in the laboratory using a pre-
calibrated axial compression testing machine and the calibration charts were
obtained by plotting the applied loads against strain gauge readings to
determine the required conversion factor for each cell as shown in Fig.3.

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 Fig. (3): Calibration charts for the load cells used for measuring base
resistances of test piles

3.2 Pile Load Test Procedure

The setup of the test assembly is shown in Plate 2. The maintained load
procedure specified in the ASTM Designations [10] was followed for testing
piles. The load was applied by hydraulic jack against an anchored system
consisting of a reaction beam fixed on two anchor piles. A proving ring of
2000kN capacity was used as load measurement device. The test piles were
loaded in several increments; estimated as percentage of the design load
estimated using static analysis. Each load was maintained for a minimum of
one hour or until the rate of settlement of the pile top decreases to a value of
0.25mm/hour. The pile head displacement was recorded by two 0.01mm
accuracy dial gauges mounted on reference beam. The settlement, strain
gauge and load cell readings were recorded for each load. The failure
criterion adopted is indicated by a rapid progressive settlement of the pile
under a constant maintained load.
During testing of Test Pile TP-B2 (Fig.1), it was observed that the load cell
was not functioning properly as inferred from recorded measurements that
were obviously faulty i.e. not responding to increasing applied loads on the
test pile head. This may possibly be attributed to a damage of the electrical

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connections of the load cell strain gauges during pile construction. The
results of this particular test were considered only for the determination of the
total pile failure load.
The borehole soil profile, SPT and CPT plots with depth at the location of a
typical test pile (TPA-1) are presented in Fig. 4 as an example.

Fig. 4: Borehole log, SPT and CPT test data at the location of test pile
TPA-1

Plate 2: Load Test Assembly

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4. Analysis and Discussion of Results
4.1 Pile Load Transfer Curves
In the first loading stages, the load applied at the pile head is fully resisted by
friction along the shaft until a certain value is reached beyond which any load
increment is partly taken by the soil at the pile base and partly by the shaft
friction. The load portion transferred to the pile base increases with applied
load until the limit or failure load is reached. At this point, both shaft friction
and base resistance are fully mobilized. A typical load versus settlement
relationship is shown in Fig. 5 for the test pile TP-A1.
The results of pile load tests were used to determine the load transfer along
pile shaft from the readings of the strain gauges and the base load cells using
the corresponding secant modulus. Details of the procedure followed for
computing the pile shaft friction for each soil layer are given elsewhere [11].
A typical load transfer curve is shown in Fig. 6 for the test pile TP-A1.

Fig 5: Load Settlement Curve Depicting Portion of Load Fig 6: Load Transfer
Curve for Test Pile TP-A1

Carried by Skin Friction and at Base for Test Pile TPA-1

The nominal (ultimate) shaft friction for each soil layer and the base
resistance values were determined for each pile tested.

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4.2 Correlation Between Bored Pile Capacity and Penetration Test Data
The total capacity of bored piles determined from seven load tests as
described in Section 4.1 was separated into the base resistance (qb) and shaft
friction (qs) components and compared to CPT and SPT data as discussed
below.
4.2.1 Relationship Between Bored Pile Shaft Friction and Penetration
Tests Data
The shaft friction (qs) values determined at various depths from pile load
tests and the corresponding values estimated from standard and cone
penetration tests were compared to examine the existence of some useful
relationships between pile shaft friction on one hand and the CPT and SPT
data on the other. The pile shaft friction values determined from load tests
were plotted against soil parameters derived from CPT values. Several trials
were made to find the vest correlation was found by relating the pile shaft
friction (qs) to the sleeve skin friction (fs) determined from the CPT as shown
in Fig. 7(a).

Fig 7: Relation ship between pile shaft friction and CPT sleeve friction (a)
and SPT N value (b) data

Statistical regression analysis was used to describe mathematically the

correlation between the two variables expressed in (MPa) units as given by
Eq. 1 below.
Qs=0134-0.226fs (R2=0.59) [1]

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The best correlation obtained from linear regression analysis between q s (in
MPa) and the uncorrected SPT N value (blows/30.5cm) is given by the
following equation:

qs = 0.271 – 0.007N (R2 =0.66) [2]

4.2.2 Relationship Between Pile Base Resistance and Penetration Tests

Data
The nominal unit base resistance (qb) was plotted against the sleeve skin
friction obtained from CPT data and the uncorrected N values obtained from
the SPT data as shown in Fig. 8.

Fig 8: Relationship between unit pile base resistance and CPT sleeve
friction (a) and SPT N value (b)
The relationship between the unit base resistance qb (MPa) and the CPT
sleeve skin friction fs (MPa) for bored piles shown in Fig. 8 can be expressed
mathematically as follows:
qb = 3.048fs – 0.424 (R2=0.64) [3]
Linear regression analysis was used to establish a mathematical correlation
between the unit base resistance of bored piles expressed in (MPa) units and
the uncorrected N values and the following relationship was obtained:
qb = 0.026N (R2= 0.73) [4]

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4.2.3 Prediction of Total Pile Capacity from Penetration Tests Data
From the correlations developed between the shaft friction and base
resistance of bored piles on one hand and the CPT and SPT data on the other
as given by Equations (1) through (4), it will be possible to evaluate the total
nominal pile capacity Qt by substituting in the general total pile equation and
summing up the contribution of the two components as given below:
Qt = Qs + Qb = qs*As + qb*Ab [5]
Where Qs is the nominal pile shaft friction capacity and Qb is the nominal
base resistance, As is the pile shaft area and Ab is the pile base area.
Substitution of the values of (qs) and (qb) given in Equations (1) and (3) in
Eq. (5) gives the following relationship between (Qt) and the CPT sleeve skin
friction (fs) both expressed in MPa units:
Qt = (0.134 - 0.226fs)*As + (3.048fs – 0.424)*Ab [6]
Similarly, the relationship between Qt in MPa and the SPT data can be
obtained by substituting the qs and qb values given in Equations (2) and (4) in
Eq. (5) as given in the following expression:
Qt = (0.271 – 0.007N)*As + 0.026N*Ab [7]
Therefore based on the correlations developed in the present study, Equations
(6) and (7) may be used for estimating the combined nominal bored pile
capacity for the soil types tested at Soba site in Khartoum from the CPT and
SPT data respectively.
4.3 Comparison of Pile Capacity Estimated from Developed Correlations
and Predicted from Some Previous Methods
The total pile capacities determined from the correlations in Equations 6 and
7 from CPT and SPT data for the eight bored piles tested were compared with
those predicted from the application of two CPT-based and three SPT-based
selected previous methods using the geotechnical data revealed at study site.
The two CPT based methods include those proposed by Aoki and De Alencar
Velloso‟s [2] and the LCPC method [5] whereas the three SPT-based
methods include those proposed Reese and Wright [7], Reese and O‟Neill [8]
and Quiros and Reese [9].

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The ratio of the total pile capacity Qt calculated for each test pile from
empirical correlations developed in the present study (Qtc) and the values
predicted from empirical methods (Qtp) based on CPT and the SPT data are
depicted by the histograms shown in Figs.9(a) and 9(b) respectively. The line
of equality shown in both figures represents a general basis of comparison
between the calculated and predicted pile capacities wherein the ratio of the
estimated to predicted values (Qtc /Qtp) is equivalent to unity or 100%. Ratio
values higher than 100% indicate over-prediction whereas lower ratios
indicate under-prediction of the total bored pile capacity. The comparison
results are discussed for the CPT-based and the SPT-based methods
separately.

Fig (9-a): Methods based on CPT data Fig (9-b): Methods based on SPT data

Fig 9: Comparison of total pile capacities obtained from present study

correlations with those predicted from previous empirical methods based
on CPT and SPT data

From a comparison of the sets of (Qtc /Qtp) ratio based on CPT and SPT data
as illustrated in the histogram diagrams shown in Fig 9, it may be noted that:
a) From Fig 9(a), the total pile capacities computed using Equation 6 based
on the CPT data are systematically higher than those predicted according
to the Aoki and De Alencar method with a discrepancy of 19% to 104%.
Therefore, this method tends to underestimate the carrying capacity of
bored piles installed in Soba district soils. On the other hand, the total

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 bored pile capacity predicted from the LCPC method compared fairly
well with the values obtained from Equation (6) with an overall
discrepancy in the range of -9% to 46%. Thus, the LCPC appears to be a
suitable method for indirectly estimating the total carrying capacity of
bored piles constructed in Sudanese soils from Soba based on the CPT
data confirming the previous findings reported by some researchers in
other countries [12].
b) It is clear from the histogram chart in Fig. 9(b) comparing computed and
predicted total pile capacities using SPT data that the Quiros and Reese
(1977) and Reese and Wright (1977) methods tend to grossly
overestimate the total capacities estimated from Equation 7. However,
the Reese and O‟Neill (1988) method indicated a favorably good
comparison between computed and predicted total bored pile capacities
with an overall relatively small discrepancy range of -10% to 26%. The
latter is a well known and widely acceptable method for the evaluation of
the carrying resistances of drilled shafts in the USA and worldwide and
has been recommended in the AASHTO LRFD Specifications [13] for
bridge foundation design. Though based on somewhat limited
experimental data, the findings of this study confirm the suitability and
validity of the Reese and O‟Neill method for the prediction of the
capacity of bored piles installed in Soba soils.

5. Conclusions
The following findings and conclusions may be drawn from analysis and
interpretation of the results of this study:
a) Separate measurements of the nominal shaft friction and base resistances
of the total capacity of fully instrumented bored piles have been achieved
successfully using strain gauges and load cells installed along the pile
shaft and at its base respectively. The load cells were designed and
fabricated locally from stainless steel for this purpose of this study.
b) Empirical mathematical correlations have been developed to estimate the
unit skin friction (qs) and unit end bearing (qb) capacity components of
bored piles installed in some Sudanese soils from the CPT and SPT data
as given by Equations (1) through (4). Though derived from somewhat
limited data, the developed correlations furbish a basis for further

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 refinement and improvement through incorporation of additional data
which might be obtained in similar future research studies.
c) The total nominal pile capacities obtained from the correlations
developed in this study given by Equations (6) and (7) based on CPT and
SPT data were compared to those predicted from five published methods
developed in other countries. The comparison results revealed that
Equations (6) and (7) compared favorably with two widely accepted
predictive methods, namely the LCPC and the Reese and O‟Neill (1988)
methods based on the CPT and SPT data respectively. The two CPT and
SPT based correlations developed in this study may therefore be used for
estimating the total capacity of bored piles installed in Sudanese soils.
However, in view of the small number of instrumented pile load tested, it
is suggested that Equations (6) and (7) can provisionally be applied until
further refinements are made to improve their accuracy and reliability.

6. References

[1] Osman M. A. (1984), “Analysis of Field Pile Loading Tests and

Comparison with Theoretical Predictions” Proceeding of 1 st
Engineering Conference 7-12 December 1984, Khartoum, Sudan
[2] Aoki, N. and Velloso, D. A. (1975), “An Approximate Method to
Estimate the Bearing Capacity of Piles” Proceedings of 5th Pan-
American Conference of Soil Mechanics and Foundation
Engineering, Bueno Aires, Vol. 1, 367 – 376.
[3] Schmertmann, J. H. (1978), “Guidelines for Cone Penetration Test,
Performance and Design” U.S. Department of Transportation,
FHWA-TS-78-209
[4] DeRuiter, J. and Beringen, F. L. (1979), “Pile Foundations for Large
North Sea Structures” Marine Geotechnology, 3(3), 267 – 314.
[5] Bustamante, M. and Gianeselli (1982), “Pile Bearing Capacity
Prediction by Means of Static Penetration CPT” Proceedings of 2nd
European Symposium on Penetration Testing, Amsterdam, Vol. 2,
493 – 500.
[6] Touma, F.T. & Reese, L.C. (1974), “ Behaviour of bored piles in
sand” Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering Division, American
Society of Civil Engineers, vol. 100, pp 749-761.

Journal of BRR VOL 13 Dec. 2012 74

[7] Reese, L.C. and Wright, S.J. (1977), “Construction Procedures and
Design for Axial Loading” Vol. 1, Drilled Shaft Manual, HDV-22,
Implementation Package 77–21, Implementation Division, U.S.
Department of Transportation, McLean, Virginia, 140 pp.
[8] Reese, L.C. and O‟Neill, M.W. (1988), “Drilled Shafts:
Construction and Design” FHWA, Publication No. HI-88–042
[9] Quiros, G. W. and Reese, L. C. (1977), “Design Procedures for
Axially Loaded Drilled Shafts” Research Report 176–5F, Project 3–
5-72–176, Center for Highway Research, University of Texas,
Austin, 156 pp.
[10] ASTM D 1143-81, Annual Books of ASTM Standards, USA, 1981.
[11] Ayoub, E.M. (2012), “Evaluation of the Capacity of Bored Piles in
Some Sudanese Soils Using Penetration and Pile Load Tests”, M.Sc.
Thesis, BRRI, U. of K.
[12] Abu-Farsakh, M. Y., Titi, H. H. (1999), “Evaluation of Bearing
Capacity of Piles from Cone Penetration Test Data” Louisiana
Transportation Research Center, LTRC. Project no. 98-3GT. State
Project no. 736-99-0533.
[13] AASHTO (2005), AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications,
3rd Edition.

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