Page 14 - INSTRUMENTED PILE LOAD TEST ON SOFT GROUND

Maintained Load Test (MLT) –

Preliminary and Working Pile Load Test

Maintained Load Test (MLT): A loading test in which each increment or By using Limit State Design (e.g., Eurocode 7-EC7), the preliminary pile test
decrement of load is held constant either for a defined period of time or and working pile test allow to adopt less conservative partial factors when
until the rate of settlement or rebound falls to a specified value. reducing unfactored shaft friction and end-bearing, resulting in a more

economical design

Preliminary pile load test (Failure Load Test): Typically carried out before Kentledge (dead weight used in loading test) reaction system (stacking up
piling works commence. To adequately verify shaft friction and end- concrete block or steel plated as counterweight is customarily use due to
bearing capacity, the piles are loaded 3 times the working load (more than the easy interpretation of the test results.
300%) or until failure (Failure load test – sacrificial pile)

Working pile load test: Typically carried out during piling or when Too high loads (ground support bearing capacity?): Some codes (e.g.,
substantial piling works are completed. The piles are loaded 2 times the Eurocode 7-EC7) allow results of pile load test to be extrapolated for a pile
working load ( less than 200%) diameter not exceeding 2 times

Note
Preliminary pile test 1 pile or 0.5% of the total number of working piles, whichever is greater
Working Load:
The load which the pile is designed
Working pile test 2 piles or 1% of the total number of working piles or 1 for every 50 meters to carry without exceeding the
length of proposed building, whichever is greater
allowable settlement