Comparision of Methods for Determining Bearing Capacity of Piles Using Standard Penetration Test (SPT) Data

In recent years, determining bearing capacity of piles from in-situ testing data as a complement to static and dynamic analysis has been used by geotechnical engineers. In this paper, different approaches for estimating bearing capacity of piles from SPT data are studied and compared. A new method based on N value from SPT is presented. Data averaging, failure zone and plunging failure of piles are revisited in the light of this new method. A data bank was compiled including 42 full scale pile load tests in sites where SPT was performed close to pile locations. Comparison of current methods by error investigation with statistical and cumulative probability approaches demonstrates that the new method predicts pile capacity with more accuracy and less scatter than others. Therefore, it can be applied as a suitable solution in geotechnical design.