Piles – Ways to determine bearing capacity in practice Which of the following approaches are used to determine the bearing capacity of piles for design and verification?

Introduction / Context:
Pile capacity evaluation requires both prediction and confirmation. Designers estimate capacity from soil data and pile geometry, and verify it through field tests or dynamic correlations. Understanding the toolkit of methods is crucial for safe and economical foundations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Driven or bored piles in soils with known profiles.
• Access to geotechnical parameters from site investigation.
• Availability of field testing facilities for verification.

Concept / Approach:

Static methods integrate unit shaft and base resistances over pile length using parameters like undrained shear strength or effective stress friction. Dynamic formulas relate blow count and hammer energy to capacity (with limitations). Pile load tests (for example, maintained load or quick test) measure load–settlement response directly, often governing the characteristic or design load along with safety/partial factors.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Codes of practice encourage both analytical prediction and proof testing; dynamic testing and signal matching are accepted supplements.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

“None” contradicts standard design workflows; no single method alone is always sufficient.

Common Pitfalls:

Over-reliance on dynamic formulas; ignoring negative skin friction or setup; inadequate test pile selection.

Final Answer:

All of the above