Considerations on an embedded pile’s effective length in an analytical calculation according to the commentary on the STN 73 1002 standard

Abstract

The analytical model for calculating the bearing capacity of a pile, presented in the commentary to STN 73 1002 – Pile Foundations, gives a recommendation to reduce the pile’s length in the calculation of the shaft resistance. The recommendation is based on Caquot-Kérisel’s theory. Especially in the case of embedded piles, reducing a pile’s length in the calculation can cause the shaft friction of the embedded pile to be neglected, and the calculated resistance of the pile is thus significantly lower. The results of instrumented static load tests of embedded piles were analysed. The main aim of the study was to verify the validity of reducing the pile’s length in the analytical calculation of the shaft resistance. The results of the static load tests analysed did not show any reduction in the shaft friction on the embedded part of the pile. In the form of a parametric study, the effect of reducing the pile’s length in the calculation of shaft friction was analysed for different dimensions of embedded piles.