Assessment of direct CPT and CPTU methods for predicting the ultimate bearing capacity of single piles

Twelve methods to determine axial pile capacity directly based on cone penetration test (CPT) and piezocone penetration test (CPTU) data are presented, compared and evaluated. Analyses and evaluation were conducted on three types of piles of different size and length. All the tested piles have failed at the end of static load test. Both the CPT methods and the CPTU methods were used to estimate the load bearing capacities of the investigated piles (Qp). The static load test was performed to determine the measured load bearing capacities (Qm). The pile capacities determined through different methods were compared with the measured values obtained from the static load tests. Two criteria were selected as bases of evaluation: the best fit line for Qp versus Qm and the arithmetic mean and standard deviation for the ratio Qp/Qm. Results of the analyses showed that the best methods for determining pile capacity are the two CPTU methods. Furthermore, the CPTU method is simple, easy to apply, and not influenced by the subjective judgements of operating staff. Therefore, it is quite suitable for the application in pile engineering practice.