Analysis of Load Capacity of Deep Test Piles in Shanghai Alluvium

Static and dynamic load testing were performed on two identical open-ended steel pipe piles installed to depths of 80 metres in Shanghai, PRC. The 914 mm dia. piles were each fully strain gauged and driven through soft Quaternary alluvium to found on dense alluvial sands. Load testing established the capacity of both piles. The work formed part of the pre-construction investigations for the 88-storey Jin Mao building, located in the Pudong District of the city. Pile driving was monitored using a Pile Driving Analyser. Static load testing of the two piles was in accordance with ASTM D 1143 with cyclic application of load to a maximum of 18000 kN. The paper provides results of geotechnical site investigations; descriptions of pile installation; and pile load-settlement behaviour and shaft load distribution. Comparisons are made between measured load capacity and estimates using several published pile design methods.