IRC:78 (Part-1)-2024

Appendix-6
PART – 1
(Clause 709.2.4)

METHOD – 1: PILE LOAD CAPACITY BY DYNAMAIC TEST USING WAVE EQUATION

The method is based on solving wave equation by using idealized model using strata wise soil
parameters to arrive at pile ‘set’ for given pile load. The force and velocity response of pile to an

of magnitude of ultimate capacity of pile) are measured to arrive at the ultimate capacity of pile.
1. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
For piles considering resistance from surrounding soil, the internal force and displacements
produced on segment of prismatic bar subjected to impact at one end, the wave equation can
be derived as

2
D
2 = ( EP ) ( 2
D
2 )+R
Where,
D = longitudinal displacement of a point of the bar from its original position
E = modulus of elasticity of bar p = density of bar material + t = time
R = soil-resistance terms
The above equation may be solved for appropriate boundary conditions and the relationship
among displacement, time, position in the pile and stress are determined usually by numerical
methods. Solution requires idealization of model considering load deformation diagram for each
u’ the ultimate soil
resistance and the damping factor. The empirical value of ‘quake’ damping factor and percent
side adhesion as reported by Forehand and Reese are reproduced for reference in Table 1.
Table 1 Empirical Values of Q, J, and Percent Side Adhesion

Soil Q (in.) J(P) (Sec/ft) Side Adhesion (% of Ru)

Coarse sand 0.10 0.15 35
0.10 0.15 75-100
Fine Sand 0.15 0.15 100
Sand and clay or loam, at least 50 percent of pile in sand 0.20 0.20 25
0.20 0.20 40
Sand and gravel underlain by hard strata 0.15 0.15 25

2. PILE AND TEST PREPARATION

and accelerometers to the sides of the pile at a depth of 1.5 pile diameters from top of pile
and then connecting them to the measuring equipment.

78
 IRC:78 (Part-1)-2024

concrete. This can be done either using formwork or permanent casing. Alternatively, if it

The pile head may even be one grade higher so as to attain early strength. The rebars and

impact.
Refer to Fig. 1
shall generally be the same as pile reinforcement. Further, the concrete at the sensor level
shall be smooth hard and uniform.

Fig. 1 Details of Rebar cage for extended portion of pile for dynamic test.
Note:
1. All dimensions are in mm
2. Clear cover to mesh reinforcement is 20mm
3. Diameter of mesh reinforcement bars is 8 mm
4. Spacing of mesh reinforcement bars is 100 mm

4) A pile top cushion consisting of sheets of plywood with total thickness between 25 mm to
100 mm or as determined by the Test Engineer shall be placed on the top of the pile before
testing.
5) Steel helmet 25 mm-50 mm thick or as determined by the Test Engineer shall be kept ready
at the time of testing.
6) A hammer of suitable weight (1-2 percent of test load or 5-7 percent of the dead weight of

the Test Engineer. The fall height generally varies from 0.5 m to 3 m.
7) Wherever essential, a suitable guide shall be provided to ensure a concentric fall.

79
IRC:78 (Part-1)-2024
8) A suitable crane or equivalent mechanism capable of freely falling the required hammer
shall be arranged on site in consultation with the Test Engineer. Refer to Fig. 2 showing the
setup arrangements.

TYPICAL SKETCH SHOWING SET UP DETAILS

FOR HIGH STRAIN DYNAMIC PILE TESTING

Fig. 2 Typical sketch showing setup details for high strain dynamic pile testing
3. PILE MONITORING
1) The testing may be conducted atleast 15 days after the pile is installed and the concrete pile

2) Dynamic pile testing (based on wave equation) should be conducted by attaching strain

as to detect bending in the pile if any, during testing.

3) These transducers should be then connected through the cable to measuring equipment
to record strain and acceleration measurements and display them on an oscilloscope or
screen.

80
 IRC:78 (Part-1)-2024
4) The testing should be conducted by impacting the pile with blows of the hammer, generally
starting with a smaller drop of 0.5 m. For each hammer blow, the strain transducers should
measure strains whereas accelerations are measured by accelerometers connected on
either sides of the pile. These signals are then converted to digital form by the equipment
and then converted to force and velocity respectively by integration.

of the mobilized capacity of the pile, pile top compression, integrity, stresses etc. The force

0.5 m increment till the time either the pile set or the pile capacity reaches the required
limiting values. A typical force velocity response is also described in Fig. 3.
7) The pile capacity shall be generally considered to be fully mobilized if the energy levels

atleast 3-4 mm per blow for a minimum three successive impacts. If the pile set is less than
3-4 mm per blow and the pile achieves required capacity then it implies that not all the static
pile resistance has been mobilized and that the pile still has some capacity that could not be
measured or was not required to be measured at the time of testing.

Fig. 3 Typical force velocity trace generated by measuring equipment.

8) Analysis and interpretation: Using strain and acceleration data in a suitable model, based on
local parameters of pile and soil strata, the equivalent static load bearing capacity shall be

and the safe capacity arrived. A Typical blow is then selected for Signal Matching Analysis.
4. TEST LIMITATIONS
1) Evaluation of static soil resistance and it’s distribution can be based on a variety of analytical
methods and is the subject of individual engineering judgment. The input into the analytical
methods may or may not result in the dynamic evaluation matching static load test data. It is
necessary to calibrate the result of the dynamic analysis with those of a static pile load test
carried out according to IS:2911.

81
IRC:78 (Part-1)-2024

and bearing for rock socketed piles that do not show substantial net displacement under the
impacts.

trained in interpretations of the results.

METHOD – 2: PILE DYNAMIC TESTS METHOD BASED ON HILEY’S FORMULAE
(BY LASER/INFRARED OPERATED EQUIPMENT)
1. INTRODUCTION
Since the early days of driven piles, the termination criteria based on “Sets observed”, are
followed. Various formulae are available. The IS:2911 Part – 1 covering driven piles provides
one such formula. The principle followed is recording the penetration per blow of the hammer,
and on that basis having obtained the desired set i.e. average penetration of standard number
of blows of hammer, the ultimate capacity for the pile is worked out and then with suitable factor
of safety the safe capacity is arrived at. The bored cast-in-situ piles after attaining strength (i.e.
strata on which terminated) by dynamic impact energy. The load carrying capacity of bored
cast-in-situ pile subjected to impact energy can be then estimated on measuring consequent
displacement by sophisticated optoelectronic instruments on resorting to IS:2911 procedure.
The procedure will help in ascertaining the quality of workmanship on a large number of piles
without much of time wasting any avoiding delays in a construction activity with relatively less
cost.
2. METHODOLOGY
The methodology of test is based on a large falling weight giving the dynamic impact to the
elastic body. It equates the energy of hammer blow to work done in overcoming the resistance
of the founding strata to the penetration of the ordinary cast-in-situ piles as well as grouted micro
piles. Allowance is made for losses of energy due to the elastic compression of the pile, and

in the code IS:2911 Part-1, Section 1 are used in estimating the ultimate driving resistance in
tones. Applying the factor of safety as outlined in the code, the safe load on pile can be worked
out.
The instantaneous displacements including rebounds of the pile are precisely recorded in
automatic data acquisition system. This is done for several cycles and then using formulae as
accepted in IS:2911 the safe loading capacity is calculated. The opto-electronic instrument is used
for position sensitive measurement by non-contact continuous measurement, using instrument
placed away from the vibrations due to impact load. The system is based on combined light
emitting diode transmitters and a position sensitive detector. The transmitter and receiver are
installed so that the infrared light beam forms a reference line from transmitter, receiver to the

the energy transmitted to the pile and accounting for temporary compressions of pile, ground and
dolly occurring during the impact loading, the ultimate driving resistance is calculated. Applying
lthe factor of safety the safe load for the pile is calculated.

82
 IRC:78 (Part-1)-2024

R=
S+C/2
Where,
R = ultimate driving resistance in tones. The safe load shall be worked out by
dividing it with a factor of safety of 2.5.
W = mass of the ram in tonnes
h = height of the free fall of the ram or hammer in cm taken at its full value for
trigger-operated drop hammers, 80 percent of the fall of normally
proportioned which operated drop hammers, and 90 percent of the stroke
for single-acting hammers. When using the McKiernan Terry type of
double acting hammers, 90 percent of the maker’s rated energy in tonne-
centimetre per blow should be substituted for the product (Wh) in the

set is being taken.

striking energy of ram

C = sum of the temporary elastic compressions in cm of the pile, dolly, packings

and ground
P = Mass of pile in tones
Where W is greater than Pe and the pile is driven into penetrable ground,
W+Pe2
W+P
Where W is less than Pe and the pile is driven into penetrable ground

( )
2
W+Pe2 W+Pe
–
W+P W+P
The following are the values of n in relation to e and to the ration of P/W
Ratio of P/W e=0.5 e = 0.4 e = 0.32 e=.25 e=0
½ 0.75 0.72 0.70 0.69 0.67
1 0.63 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.50
1½ 0.55 0.50 0.47 0.44 0.40
2 0.50 0.44 0.40 0.37 0.33
2½ 0.45 0.40 0.36 0.33 0.28
3 0.42 0.36 0.33 0.30 0.25
3½ 0.39 0.33 0.30 0.27 0.22
4 0.36 0.31 0.28 0.25 0.20
5 0.31 0.27 0.24 0.21 0.16
6 0.27 0.24 0.21 0.19 0.14
7 0.24 0.21 0.19 0.17 0.12
8 0.22 0.20 0.17 0.15 0.11

83
IRC:78 (Part-1)-2024
P is the weight of the pile, anvil, helmet and follower (if any) in tones.

a) For steel ram of double-acting hammer striking on steel anvil and driving reinforced pile,
e = 0.5
b) For cast-iron ram of single-acting or drop hammer striking on head of reinforced concrete
pile, e = 0.4.
c) Single-acting or drop hammer striking a well-conditioned driving cap and helmet with
hard wood dolly in driving reinforced concrete piles or directly on head of timber pile,
e = 0.25.
Numbers of models of Laser/infrared operated instruments measuring accurately the deformation
are available these days. The required sensitivity of the equipment shall be such as to read the
angular deformation to the accuracy of 10-3 radians and the instrument should be capable
of recording about 100 readings per second. From the angular deformation, on knowing the

Typical Displacement Record

Reading Serial Number

Vertical movement of the shaft under the given impact energy, (both elastic and permanent) can
be measured accurately. These measurements of the displacement can then be substituted in

safe load carrying capacity of pile can be estimated.

84