Static versus dynamic load tests on piles socketed in Dubai limestone

Pile load tests are considered the main reference to evaluate the behavior of pile foundations and determine their bearing capacity. The pile load test is performed to determine the pile response under loading and is compared with the design assumptions to verify the construction efficiency. The traditional static pile load test is most commonly used for evaluating pile response on site yet it is expensive, time consuming, and needs extensive apparatus mobilization. Therefore, there is a need to use other pile load tests such high strain dynamic load testing as a supplement to the conventional pile load testing techniques. A database of a total of 60 pile load tests (14 static and 46 dynamic pile load tests) carried out on bored piles socketed in rock at two different sites in Dubai, is used to compare the load-settlement response obtained from both dynamic and static load tests. Pile capacities and settlements obtained from tests conducted on piles of the same diameter and length are compared. The results show the pile capacity from the dynamic tests to compare well with the maximum applied static loads. However, the pile capacities obtained from the dynamic test are smaller compared to Chin deduced pile capacity. On the other hand, the dynamic load test overestimates the settlements compared to the settlements measured from the static load test.