Load Deformation Analysis of Bored Piles in Residual Weathered Formation

Abstract

The current design practice of single bored piles in residual weathered formations is based mainly on stability consideration against shear failure, and pile deformation analysis is rarely carried out. However, the acceptance criteria of single piles during pile load tests during construction is based mainly on the permissible settlement criteria as specified in the specifications/codes. In this study, a reliable method of predicting the load deformation and load distribution curves is proposed for bored piles in a residual weathered formation (Kenny Hill Formation) in Kuala Lumpur based on: (1) considerations of the weathering profiles and the engineering characteristics of this formation; (2) field performance data of fully instrumented bored pile load tests; and (3) load transfer design characteristics of the load deformation behavior. In this deformation analysis, the pile installation methods and the nonlinear behavior of the pile material are incorporated. The proposed load deformation analysis was carried out on both the instrumented and noninstrumented piles, producing good results. Therefore, this proposed method can be used to predict the load deformation characteristics of single bored piles in weathered formation during the design stage.