Abstract
This paper summarizes and classifies the methods for interpreting bearing capacity from results of a pile load test. Six criteria, namely: (1) physical meaning, (2) consistency, (3) simplicity, (4) applicability, (5) practicability and (6) effect of coordinate scale, are used to appraise the methods by a case study. Based on the appraisal, it is found that the Terzaghi method and the maximum curvature method provide the best results in interpreting the ultimate and yield bearing capacities, respectively. To unify the definition of ultimate bearing capacity and accumulate experience from the pile load tests, the Terzaghi method is suggested to be the standard and basic interpretation method for ultimate bearing capacity of a pile load test.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 27-39 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Geotechnical Engineering |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| State | Published - Apr 2003 |