METHOD STATEMENT FOR PILE LOAD TEST BY KENTLEDGE METHOD

1.0              INTRODUCTION

Vertical Compression pile load test is usually carried out to ensure the structural and Geotechnical soundness of pile and also to predict settlement of other piles. The common procedure is to increase the load in stages until the proposed working load is reached and then to unload and reduce the load in stage and to leave the load off until the rise or rebound substantially leases.

A variety of test procedures and method have been developed for carrying pile load, amongst the most common procedure for pile load test is by using Kentledge method where a static load is apply direction to the pile with the required surplus.

2.0              KENTLEDGE SET-UP

The Standard Kentledge set-up is as shown in Figure 1. The full support system consists of the Test Beam and Kentledge RC Blocks.

3.0              TEST BEAM

 

The arrangement of test beams and secondary beams are placed as shown in Figure 1. Secondary beam shall place it evenly spaced and main beam should be in line with the center of test pile.

4.0              MEASURING MOVEMENT OF PILE LOAD

Movement of pile head shall be measured with a leveling instrument and scale rules which were already securely fixed to the pile cap. Scale rules shall secure on top of the pile head on diagonally opposite direction.

Two other scale rules shall be fixed as independent Bench Marks on a permanent structure, and the distance for these two Bench Marks shall be located at a distance of 5 times the pile diameter from one another.

5.0              EQUIPMENT FOR APPLYING LOAD

A 1,000 ton capacity hydraulic jack will be used for the test. The jack shall be arranged in conjunction with the reaction system to deliver axial load to the test pile. The complete systems shall be capable of transferring the maximum load required for the test.

6.0              PROTECTION OF TESTING EQUIPMENT

Construction equipment and site personnel who are involved in the testing process shall be more cautious to the testing and to prevent unnecessary disturbances to the testing devices. Also sufficient protection to the testing equipment (e.g. away from rain and direct under hot sunlight) is compulsory.

7.0              RECORDS

Records shall be kept properly throughout the testing period and signed by all necessary parties.

8.0              PILE TESTING

The pile shall be tested to the maximum test loads applied in the numbers of cycles as below: -

ITEM	WORKING LOAD (kN)	MAX. TEST LOAD	NO. OF CYCLES
Spun Piles	2, 700	5, 400	2
2Bored Piles	2, 400	4, 800	2

8.1       Test Loading Cycles

Each increment of load shall be maintained until the rate of settlement does not exceed 0.05 mm in 30 minutes.

The following procedure shall be carried out.

LOAD (0/0)	MAINTAIN OR HOLDING TIME
1ST Cycle
0	2 hours
25	2 hours
50	2 hours
75	24 hours
100	1 hour
75	1 hour
50	1 hour
25	1 hour
0	1 hour
2nd Cycle
0	2 hours
25	2 hours
50	2 hours
75	2 hours
100	2 hours
125	2 hours
150	2 hours
175	2 hours
200	24 hours
175	1 hour
150	1 hour
125	1 hour
100	1 hour
75	1 hour
50	1 hour
25	1 hour
0	1 hour

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

Following the completion of load test, the engineer shall make an evaluation of the results. The acceptance or rejection of piles tested shall be based on the criteria in the specification.