Investigation on ground extent that influences load-settlement relationship of pile end

To estimate the load-settlement relationship of the pile end, the extent of ground below the end which influences the relationship should be considered. The consideration is more important in case of layered ground In the paper, the extent is investigated by FEM analysis and pile load test results. On investigation by FEM analysis, 24 models of layered ground and the results show that the extent of the influence is different between two cases of layered ground. In the one case, standard penetration test N-value of a layer is equal to or larger than one of the upper layer. In the other case is opposite. It tells us the point for estimating the bearing capacity that the different average N-value should be adopted between the two cases. And the point is explained by a proposing model that pile end settlement is accumulated compressive deformation of layers. The pile load test result also shows that the point is proper.