Pile Foundation Design-Chapter 3 Page 1 of 21

Pile Foundation Design: A Student Guide

LOAD DISTRIBUTION
To a great extent the design and calculation (load analysis) of pile foundations is carried out
using computer software. For some special cases, calculations can be carried out using the
following methods ...For a simple understanding of the method, let us assume that the
following conditions are satisfied:

The pile is rigid

The pile is pinned at the top and at the bottom

Each pile receives the load only vertically (i.e. axially applied );

The force P acting on the pile is proportional to the displacement U due to

compression

P = k.U 3.1

Since P = E.A

E.A = k.U 3.2

3.3

where:

P = vertical load component

k = material constant

U = displacement

E = elastic module of pile material

A = cross-sectional area of pile

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Figure 3-1 load on single pile

The length L should not necessarily be equal to the actual length of the pile. In a group of piles, If all piles are of
the same material, have same cross-sectional area and equal length L , then the value of k is the same for all
piles in the group.

Let us assume that the vertical load on the pile group results in vertical, lateral and torsion movements. Further,
let us assume that for each pile in the group, these movements are small and are caused by the component of
the vertical load experienced by the pile. The formulae in the forthcoming sections which are used in the
calculation of pile loads, are based on these assumptions.

  

3.1 Pile foundations: vertical piles only

Here the pile cap is causing the vertical compression U, whose magnitude is equal for all members of the group.
If Q (the vertical force acting on the pile group) is applied at the neutral axis of the pile group, then the force on a
single pile will be as follows :

3.4

where:

Pv = vertical component of the load on any pile from the resultant load Q

n = number of vertical piles in the group (see fig3.4)

Q = total vertical load on pile group

If the same group of piles are subjected to an eccentric load Q which is causing rotation around axis z (see fig
3.1); then for the pile i at distance rxi from axis z:

3.5

 is a small angle  tan   see figure3.4.)

Pi = force (load on a single pile i

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Ui = displacement caused by the eccentric force (load) Q

rxi = distance between pile and neutral axis of pile group;

rxi positive measured the same direction as e and negative when in the opposite direction.

e = distance between point of intersection of resultant of vertical and horizontal loading with underside of
pile (see figure 3.8)

The sum of all the forces acting on the piles should be zero 

3.6

Figure 3-2 Moment

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If we assume that the forces on the piles are causing a moment M about axis z-z then the sum of moments about
axis z-z should be zero (see figure 3.1 a& b)

3.7

from e.q. 3.2 we see that

MZ =  M Z

 ..3.8

applying the same principle, in the x direction we get equivalent [Link] we assume that the moment MX and
MZ generated by the force Q are acting on a group of pile, then the sum of forces acting on a single pile will be as
follows:

3.9

if we dividing each term by the cross-sectional area of the pile, A, we can establish the working stream  :

Example 3.1

As shown in figure 3.2, A group of Vertical piles are subjected to an eccentric force Q, magnitude of 2600kN.
Determine the maximum and the minimum forces on the piles. Q is located 0.2 m from the x-axis and 0.15 m from
the z-axis.

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Figure 3-3 Worked example

Solution

1. Calculate Moment generated by the eccentric force

Mx = 2600 (0.2) = 520 KN

Mz = 2600 (0.15) = 390 KN

[Link] vertical load per pile: = 2600/12 = 217 kN

DIST.
r2xi rzi r2zi MX MZ
PILE rxi
2 2 kN kNm
m m m
m

a1,4 0.9 0.81*2 1.35 1.823*2 520 390

a2,3 0.9 0.81*2 0.45 0.203*2 520 390

c1,4 0.9 0.81*2 1.35 1.823*2 520 390

c2,3 0.9 0.81*2 0.45 0.203*2 520 390

b1,4 0.9 0 1.35 1.823*2 520 390

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b2,3 0.9 0 0.45 0.203*2 520 390

 6.48 12.153

Mxrzi/ 
Q/n r2zi Mzrxi/  r2xi Pi
PILE
kN (520 (390* rxi)/ 6.48 kN
rzi)/12.153

217-58-54 = 105** Minimum load 105 KN, carried

a1 217 58 54
by pile a1

a2   19 54 217-19-54 = 144

a3   19 54 217+19-54 = 182

a4   58 54 217+58-54 = 221

b1   58 0 217-58-00 = 157

b2   19 0 217-19-00 = 157

b3   19 0 217+19-00 = 236

b4   58 0 217+58-00 = 275

c1   58 54 217+58-54 = 221

c2   19 54 217-19+54 = 252

c3   19 54 217+19+54=290

217+58+54 = 329*** Maximum load 329 KN,

c4   58 54
carried by pile c4

Example 3.2

A pile trestle shown on figure 3-3 consists of four vertical piles surmounted by a 1.2m thick pile
cap. It carries a horizontal load applied to the surface of the cap of 400kN. The only vertical
load exerted on the pile group is the weight of the pile cup. Determine the loads on the piles.

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Figure 3-4 Example 3.2

Solution:

1. Determine the magnitude of the vertical force: For a pile cape 4.000m square, weight of pile cap
is:

4 x 4 x 12 x 4 = 461kN    vertical load = 461kN

2. Determine the location of the N.A. for the vertical piles:

3 . resultant of vertical load and horizontal load cuts the underside of the pile cup at a point 1.06m
from N.A. pile group. This can be achieved graphically. E.g. On a millimetre paper, in scale, draw
the pile cup. Taking the top of the pile cup draw the vertical component downward as shown in
figure 2-3 then taking the tip of the vertical component as reference point draw the horizontal
component perpendicular to the vertical component. By joining the two components establish the
resultant force R. Measure the distance from the N.A to the cutting point of R at the underside of the
pile cup.

4. Using the following formula, calculate the load on each pile:

=202kN max and 28kN minimum

3.2 Pile foundations: vertical and raking piles

To resist lateral forces on the pile group, it is common practice to use vertical piles combined with raking piles

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(see figure3-5) The example below illustrates how the total applied load is distributed between the piles and how
the forces acting on each pile are calculated.

Figure 3-5 Load distribution for combined vertical and raking piles

 To derive the formulae used in design, we first go through the following procedures:-

1. Decide the location of the N.A of the vertical and the raking piles in plan position. (see example below).
2. Draw both N.A till they cross each other at point c, this is done in Elevation and move the forces Q, H&
M to point c (see fig.3.5 elevation).
3. Let us assume that the forces Q &M cause lateral and torsional movements at point c.
4. Point c is where the moment M is zero. Y is the moment arm (see fig. 3.5)

Figure 3.6 shows that the resultant load R (in this case Q) is only affecting the vertical piles.

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Figure 3-6
  

n = number of vertical piles

m = number of raking piles

Pv =

As shown in figure 3.6 the lateral force, H, is kept in equilibrium by the vertical and the raking piles.

 H = 0: H-m Pr sin = 0

 V = 0: m Pr cosine - n Pv = 0

where:

Pr = H/(m sin

Pv = H/(n tan )

Figure 3-7

NB : The horizontal force, H, imposes a torsional force on the vertical piles.

Sum of forces on a single pile = Q + H + M

as a result of Q: Pvi = Q/n

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as a result of H: Pvi = - H/(n tan )

as a result of H: Pri = + H/(m sin )

as a result of moment M:

ri measured perpendicular to the N.A of both the vertical and raking piles

 Example 3.3

Figure 3.7 shows a pile group of vertical and raking piles subjected to vertical load Q = 3000 kN and lateral load
H = 250 kN. Determine the forces acting on each pile. The raking piles lie at an angle of 4:1.

Solution:

First we determine the location of the neutral axis, N.A, of both the vertical piles and the raking piles. From figure
3.7 we see that the number of vertical piles = 8 and the number of raking piles = 4

1. N.A for the vertical piles is determined as follows:

Here we assume ¢ through piles a1, a2, a3, a4 as a reference point and start measuring in the
positive direction of the X axis, where it is denoted on figure 3.10 as X-X

(4) 0 m + (2) 1m + (2)2 m = n· n·eo ,  n·eo = = 0.75 m

 The neutral axis for the vertical piles is located at 0.75 m from the ¢ line of pile a1, a2, a3, a4. 
(1.0 -0.75 )m = 0.25m  X = 0.25 m, the distance to the vertical load Q.

where:

n·eo = 8·eO and the numbers 4, 2, 2 are number of piles in the same axis

2. N.A for the raking piles:

Here we can assume that the ¢ for the raking piles b1and b4 as a reference line and calculate the
location of the neutral axis for the raking piles as follows:

(2) 0 m + (2)1m = (m)e1

where: (m )e1 = 4 e1, 4 is the total number of raking piles.

 4 e1  e1 = = 0.5 m  the location of neutral axis of raking piles at a distance of ( 0.25 + 0.5)

m = 0.75m from eo or from the N.A Of the vertical piles.

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Figure 3-8 calculated positions of N.A

  

3. Draw both neutral axis till they cross each other at point c. (see figure 3.9) and establish the lever
arm distance, Y, so that we can calculate the moment M, about C.

Pile inclination 4:1  Y = (0.75)4 - 0.6 = 2.4m

where 0.75 m is the location of N.A of raking piles from eo or from the N.A Of the vertical piles.

  M =0 Q(X) - H(Y) = 3000(0.25) - 250(2.4) = 150kNm

4. Establish the angle  and calculate sin, cos, and tangent of the angle 

The inclination 4:1   = 14.04

tan = 0.25

sin = 0.24

cos. = 0.97

cos2 = 0.94

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Figure 3-9 Example 3.3

5. Calculate the forces acting on each pile:

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Raking piles

ri measured perpendicular to the

neutral axis

Figure 3-10

b ,b , ri = -0.5(0.97) = -0.485 m

c ,c , ri = 0.5(0.97) = 0.485

Vertical Piles

ri measured perpendicular to the neutral axis

b ,b , ri = 0.25 c2,c3, ri = 1.25m

a  , a  , a  , a  , ri = -0.75m

PILE (k N) a b2, b3 c2, c3 b1, b4 c1, c4

ri -0.75 m 0.25 m 1.25 m 0.485 m 0.485 m

Q (kN) 375 375 375 0 0

H (kN) -125 -125 -125 260 260

23.29(0-0.75 = 23.29(0.25) = 23.29(1.25) = 23.29(0.485) = 23.29(0.485) =

M (kN)
-17.47 5.82 29.11 -11.3 11.30

 force per pile

233kN* 256kN 279kN* 249 kN 27kN
Q+H+M

*As we can see the maximum load 279kN will be carried by pile c1 and the minimum load 233kN is carried by
piles in row a1

  

3.3 Symmetrically arranged vertical and raking piles

Just as we did for the previous cases, we first decide the location of the neutral axis for both the
vertical and raking piles.

Extend the two lines till they intersect each other at point c and move the forces Q & H to point C.

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(see fig.11)

Figure 3-11symmetrically arranged piles

In the case of symmetrically arranged piles, the vertical pile I is subjected to compression stress by the vertical
component Pv and the raking pile Pr is subjected to tension (see figure 3.11 - 12)

Figure 3-12 Figure 3-13

Pv = k (U)

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pr = k (U cos. ) = PV cos.

 V = 0  Q - n Pv - m  Pr cos. = 0

Pr = Pv cos.  Pv =

The symmetrical arrangement of the raking piles keeps the lateral force, H, in equilibrium and it s effect on the
vertical piles is ignored.

With reference to figure 3.13 Horizontal projection of forces yield the following formulae.

H=0 

Figure 3-14

NB the lateral force H imposes torsional stress on half of the raking piles.

Example3.4

Symmetrically arranged piles:

Determine the force on the piles shown in figure 3.15. The inclination on the raking piles is 5:1, the vertical load,
Q =3600 kN the horizontal load, H =200 kN and is located 0.6 m from pile cutting level.

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Figure 3-15 Example 3.4

Solution

1. NA for the raking piles : 4 (0)+2 (0.9) = 6e  er = 0.3 m

2. NA for the vertical piles: 2 (0)+2 (1) = 4e  ev = 0.5 m

3. Establish moment arm Y

Inclination 5:1 Y = 5 (0.6+0.5) -0.6 = 4.9 m

 M = Q (X) - H(Y) = 3600(0.2) - 200(4.9) = -260 kNm

4. Establish the angle  and the perpendicular distance r, of the piles from the neutral axis.

slope 5:1   = 11.3

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sin = 0.196

cos  = 0.98

cos2 = 0.96

tan = 0.20

Raking piles

For raking piles laying on axis a ,

-ri = 0.3 (cos  )

+ri = 0.6 (cos  )

= (0.32 cos2 )

 r2I = (0.32  0.96 )  4 = 0.346 m2

For raking piles laying on axis b and b ,

= (0.62  cos2 )

= (0.62  0.96) 2 (two piles) = 1.037 m2

 = (0.346+1.037)  2 = 2.07 m2

Vertical piles

ri =  0.5 m

vertical piles laying on axis b and c

 ( 0.52 2 + 0.52 2) = 1.0 m2

 = vertical and raking piles = 2.07 + 1.0 = 3.07 m2

5. Calculate load distribution on individual piles:

Q  PV =

Pr = Pv cos = 232 0.98 = 227kN

H  Pr = 

M

PILE ar br bv cv cr dr

Q (kN) 227 227 232 232 227 227

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H (kN) -85 -85 0 0 85 85

-85  (-0.3 0.98) =

-50*** 43** -43** 50*** -25
25
M=

 force on Pi (kN) 167 91 275 189 313 287

ar = -85  (-0.3 0.98) = 25

br = -85 (0.6 0.98) = -50.0***

bv2, bv 3 = -85 (-0.5) = 42.5**

cv2, cv3 = -85 (0.5) = -42.5

where:

ar, br, bv, cv, cr, dr represent raking and vertical piles on respective axis.

3.3.1 Example on installation error

Until now we have been calculating theoretical force distribution on piles. However during installation of piles
slight changes in position do occur and piles may miss their designed locations. The following example compares
theoretical and the actual load distribution as a result of misalignment after pile installation.

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Figure 3-16 Example on installation error

Before installation (theoretical position) see fig.3-16

Q = 500 kN  MX = 500 0.3 = 150

 MZ = 500 0 = 0

Q/n = 500/6 = 83.3 kN

Pi = Q/n  ( Mz  rxi)/  r2xi

 r2xi = 0.72  3 = 0.72 3 = 2.94 m2

 Pi = 83.3 - (150/2.94) rxi

P1,2,3 = 83.3- (150/2.94) 0.7 = 47.6 kN

P4,5,6 = 83.3 + (150/2.94)  0.7 = 119 kN

After installation

Displacement of piles in the X-X direction measured, left edge of pile cap as reference point (see figure 3.17)

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Figure 3-17 piles after installation

 The new neutral axis (N A) for the pile group:

(0.5+0.6+0.4+2.0+2.1+1.7) 1 = 6 e  e = 1.22 m

The new position of Q = 0.29 m

 M = 500 (0.29) = 145 kNm

Measured perpendicular to the new N.A, pile distance, ri, of each pile:

ri1 = 1.22-0.5 = 0.72

ri2 = 1.22-2.0 = -0.79

ri3 = 1.22-0.6 = 0.62

ri4 = 1.22-2.1 = -0.88

ri5 = 1.22-0.4 = 0.82

ri6 = 1.22-1.7 = -0.49

  r2xi = 0.722 + 0.792 + 0.622 + 0.882 + 0.822 + 0.492 = 3.2 m

sum of forces on each pile

pile Q/N (kN) 45.3 (rxi)

Pi = Q/n  ( Mz  rxi)/  r2xi

1 83.3 45.3 (-0.72) 51

2   45.3 (0.79) 49

3   45.3 (-0.62) 55

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4   45.3 (0.88) 123

5   45.3 (-0.82) 47

6   45.3 (0.49) 105

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