GeoSS

GUIDELINES ON GOOD PRACTICES FOR PILE LOAD TEST USING KENTLEDGE METHOD IN SINGAPORE

Working Group on Pile Load Test

Chairman Member : : Mr Chua Tong Seng Dr Yet Nai Song Mr Heng Kok Hui GeoSS BCA ACES HDB IES LTA MOM SCAL Bauer (M) Singapore CSC Holdings Limited Resource Piling Pte Ltd Zap Piling Pte Ltd

Mr Jerry Lim Kee Chay Dr Lim Ken Chai Dr Veeresh Chepurthy Mr Lim Shiyi Mr Koo Chung Chong Mr Thomas Molnit Mr Jimmy Lim Mr Foo Hee Kang Mr Eric Low -

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1.0 SCOPE AND OBJECTI VE OF THESE GUI DELI NES

The scope of these guidelines is lim ited to the setup of pile load test using Kent ledge method f or Singapor e pract ices. In Singapore, Kent ledge method of pile load test is commonly used to determine the geotechnical design values and response of r epresentative pile to applied load, both in t erm of settlement or lim it load. The size and height of Kent ledge can be m assive and if not properly designed and erected, it can pose saf ety hazard to t he workers as well as t he public in vicinit y. These guidelines can pr ovide some guidance to the part ies involved in the Kent ledge setup to ensure that Kent ledg e method of pile load test is reliable, saf e and acceptable.

2.0

DESIGN OF THE SETUP FO R PILE LO AD TEST STARTS I N DESIGN OFFICE

Planning of pile load test setup should st art f rom the design off ice. The design of the Kentledge set up should be carr ied out by a Prof essional Engineer, PE. The type and amount of Kentledge, setup and its f oundation should be proper ly planned and detailed to ensur e that the setup is st able and saf e, not only during erection stage, and during pile load testing stage but also in the event of pile exper iencing unexpected f ailur e in t he midst of load test.

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2.1 Type of Kentledge

The type of Kent ledge such as concrete blocks, steel plates or other suit able dead weights chosen should suit the project and takes int o account ground condition, availabilit y of materials, site constraint and public saf ety. W here possible, Kent ledge type of load test should be set-up at least one t ime the least width of the Kentledge f ootprint away f rom public access area or neighbouring structures/buildings. 2.1.1 Load Test Exceeding 3000 Tonnes It is generally not recommended to use concr ete blocks as the Kent ledge f or pile load test exceeding 3000 tonnes because of the signif icant height of the Kent ledge. In the case of its unexpected collapse, it can potentially endanger the lives of the wor kers as well as the public. For large load test exceeding 3000 Tonnes, the pr oject team can consider using steel plates, tension piles or ground anchors as the react ion load or adopt ing other alt ernative method of testing like bi-direct ional load test. Large load test exceeding 3000 Tonnes using concrete blocks should only be carried out by competent Specialist Builder (Piling W orks) and PE who has the relevant experience. Caref ul considerat ions should be made in all aspects like robustness in design, strict compliance of design codes, saf ety of neighbour ing propert ies, saf ety of the workers and people carr ying out t he test, saf ety of public passing by the site, and putting in place contingency plan if tilting of Kent ledge occurs during stacking or load testing. 2.1.2 Weight of Kentledge The total weight of Kentledge should be greater than maximum test load. This is to ensure the Kent ledge will remain stable during the test. It is common to adopt at least 10% extra weight excluding those of test beam s. The stacking of the f ull Kentledge should be complet ed bef ore the start of the test. Putting extra concr ete blocks onto the Kent ledge during the loading cycle should not be allowed. This is because the f ull load will be transf erred to the ground in the event of pile f ailure. As the ground has not been f ully loaded earlier, there is a possibilit y of bear ing f ailure when the f ull load is suddenly transf erred to the ground. The sudden pressure peak on the ground may also trigger unbalanced distribution of load on the ground. This may potent ially lead to progressive bear ing f ailure of the ground and eventual toppling of concr ete blocks. In any event, any of the f our corners of the Kentledge should not be allowed to f loat or be uplif ted as this will lead to uneven load distribution to the base of the setup.

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2.1.3 Kentledge Bl ocks Arrangement Kent ledge blocks arrangement should be designed by PE. The pattern of the blocks arrangement should t ake int o account stacking sequence and designed to enhance stabilit y of the individual block as well as the whole of the Kent ledge setup. 2.1.4 Kentledge Height t o Width Aspect Rat io. The height to widt h ratio of the Kentledge setup should not be more than 1.5 f or stabilit y. For area with neighbour ing st ructures/buildings, the ratio should be reduced to not more than 1 by increasing the width of Kentledge. 2.2 Design of Foundati on

The f oundation f or the setup should be designed to support the f ull weight of the Kent ledge.

2.2.1 Check Geotechnical Bearing Capacit y of Kentledge Base The design check should be based on r epresentative soil investigation results at the location of the Kent ledge setup. There must be adequate site investigation to est ablish the possible var iat ion of sub-soil layers below the f oundation of the Kentledge. Soil parameters should be selected f rom appropr iate test dat a or previous experience in similar soils. The f actor of saf ety f or allowable bear ing capacit y f or f oundation supporting the Kentledge can be computed based on convent ional Terzaghis bear ing capacit y equat ion or other methods using sound engineer ing principles. This geotechnical f actor of saf ety should generally be in t he or der of 2.5 to 3, with upper value to be adopted f or large load test or load test near neighbouring structures/buildings.

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2.2.2 Effect of Kentledge Setup on Neighbouring Slopes and Str uctures For Kentledge setup on top of a slope, or on top of an exist ing earth retaining structures, the potential reduced bearing capacit y of the ground need to be analysed. The eff ect of the massive Kentledge bearing on ground needs to be assessed. This is t o ascertain that the stabilit y of neighbouring slopes and structural integrit y of existing earth retaining structures and buildings are not aff ected. Excavation works next to t he Kent ledge should be prevented unless adequately designed. Proper drainage should be provided t o avoid excessive rain water seepage into the ground supporting the Kent ledge base dur ing wet weather condit ion.

2.2.3 Differential and Consolidation Settlem ent of Kentledge Base Care should to be taken to ensure that there will be no signif icant settlement of the Kent ledge base. Adverse condit ion may ar ise where t here is a var ying soil prof ile with sof t ground, close to a slope, canal or excavation. This could leads to diff erential settlement. As a good guide, the calculated diff erential settlement f or Kentledge base should be wit hin 1 in 150. W here the ground below the base of the Kentledge will likely to exper ience consolidat ion sett lement, the rat e of consolidation settlement should be examined. This is t o ensure that it will not cause inst abilit y of the Kent ledge setup dur ing load t esting, or in the event of sudden pressure peak on the ground resulting f rom a sudden pile f ailure. It is cautioned that a large computed total settlement under t he maximum test load could be indicat ive of inadequate geotechnical saf ety f actor and designer should take all necessar y measures to reduce the magnitude of the total settlement. 2.2.4 Ground Improvement If the bearing capacit y check indicated insuff icient f actor of saf ety or when settlement will be excessive, surf ace or soil improvement may be necessar y.

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2.2.5 Deep Foundation If shallow f oundation is insuf f icient to achieve adequate f actor of saf ety or when settlement will be excessive, deep f oundation will be requir ed. The design of deep f oundation such as steel H-piles or steel circular pipes should f ollow conventional piling design based on SS CP4: 2003. 2.2.6 Other Systems Other systems like r eaction anchors or piles can be used. The design of such systems should comply with their respect ive Codes. 2.3 Design of Struct ural Members

Design of structural members i.e. transf er beam, main beam, secondar y beam, steel box, steel mat, steel piles should comply with BS5950-1:2000. W here reused structural steel is used, the PE should consider any imperf ections and conditions of such materials in his design. 2.3.1 Bending Moment Capacit y The structural members should be checked f or ultimate moment capacit y. 2.3.2 Shear Capacit y The structural members should be checked f or ultimate shear capacit y. 2.3.3 Torsional Buckling The structural members shall be checked f or lateral torsional buckling. 2.3.4 Beam Web Bearing and Web Buckling The structural members should be checked f or web bear ing and web buckling 2.3.5 Beam Deflection The def lection of the beam under f ull load should be check to ensure it will not compromise the over all stabilit y of the set-up. 2.4 Draw ing of Pile Load Test Set up

It is important that all the design consider ation and output be clearly shown in the drawing to ensur e compliance and easy of site super vision.

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f or illustration only

The spacing of beams derived f rom the design calculation sh ould be proper ly should indicated in the drawings. The size and g . grade of steel should be shown f or all beams. Concrete block size and stacking details are impor tant and should be shown in drawing.

3.0

IMPLEMENTATION DURING CONSTRUCTION STAG E

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3.1 Site Super vision by Competent Staff

The pile load test should be super vised by a competent staff i.e. PE. The PE who designed the Kentledge setup and Qualif ied Site Super visor, QSS should inspect the setup during erect ion, and load testing to detect if there is any abnormally and inst abilit y of the setup. Load test should only be allowed to start af ter inspect ion by PE and he cert if ied that there is no saf ety or stabilit y concern. 3.2 Construction to foll ow Design Draw ing

On site, Kentledge base should be prepared according to design calculat ion. The dimension of the Kent ledge base should be constructed according to the drawing. Beam sizes and steel grade area should be as specif ied in the drawing. Load cells and dial gauges should have valid calibr ation certif icates. 3.3 Instrumentation and Monitoring

Instrumentation should be installed to monitor the stabilit y of the Kentledge setup, f rom the stacking of Kentledge to load test ing stage. The f our bases of the Kent ledge should be monitored using leveling. The base readings should be taken f or the instruments and top of test pile bef ore stacking of concrete blocks. The rate of settlement and rate of diff erential settlement rate should be checked at regular interval. The main st eel beam should also be monitored to ensure that there is not tilting or uplif ting. W here possible, data collect ion should be carr ied out remote f rom the kentledge base. In t he event that the instrumentation readings indicate instabilit y or trend of instabilit y, the sit e staff must report to the PE so that appropr iat e actions could be taken immediately.

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3.4 Safet y of Workers

The saf ety of wor kers is paramount. Project team to note dut ies and responsibilities stipulated under the W orkplace Saf ety and Health Act and its subsidiar y legislations which include W SH (Construct ion) Regulation 2007 and W SH (Risk Management) Regulation 2006. Some good pile load testing practices, f or instance, testing by remote control where workers do not need to go under the massive Kentledge setup to increase the test load and to take load test readings can be considered. Risk assessments on the execution of the pile load test should address the installat ion, test ing, dismant ling and t he zone of possible collapse of the Kent ledge. Saf e work procedures f or installation, testing and dismant ling of Kentledge should be implemented. Br ief ings should be carried out to all personnel involved in the wor ks and key areas of the saf e work procedures should be eff ectively communicated to the workers. During the erection and dismant ling of the Kentledge, workers will be exposed to W ork-At-Height risks. Fall Protect ion Plan should be developed, implemented and ef f ectively com municated to the wor kers. Project team should also ref er to SS 515:2005 on pile load t est bef ore the start of the test.

REFERENCES BS 5950-1:2000 Structural Use of Steel W orks in Building SS CP4:2003 Code of Practice f or Foundation SS 515:2005 Code of Practice f or Supervision of Structural W orks W orkplace Saf ety and Health Act W orkplace Saf ety and Health (Construct ion) Regulation 2007 W orkplace Saf ety and Health (Risk Management) Regulation 2006

Revision 1: 1st Sept em ber 2011

Revision 1: 1st Sept em ber 2011